HR 528 — A Resolution directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a study on pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome and pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections.

PRINTER'S NO.   3413

                  THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA



           HOUSE RESOLUTION
              No. 528
                                              Session of
                                                2026

     INTRODUCED BY COOPER, BRIGGS, PASHINSKI, STEELE, STRUZZI,
        BRENNAN AND C. WILLIAMS, MAY 14, 2026

     REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, MAY 14, 2026


                               A RESOLUTION
 1   Directing the Joint State Government Commission to conduct a
 2      study on pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome and
 3      pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated
 4      with streptococcal infections.
 5      WHEREAS, Pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome
 6   (PANS) and pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders
 7   associated with streptococcal infections (PANDAS) are immune-
 8   mediated disorders triggered by many different infections, such
 9   as streptococcal infections, which cause sudden and severe
10   neuropsychiatric symptoms, including obsessive-compulsive
11   behaviors, tics, anxiety, restricted eating, mood swings and
12   cognitive deterioration; and
13      WHEREAS, The true lifetime prevalence of PANS and PANDAS is
14   not known and frequent misdiagnosis makes it difficult to
15   estimate the number of people affected; and
16      WHEREAS, Effective treatments for PANS and PANDAS, including
17   antibiotics, anti-inflammatory therapies and intravenous
18   immunoglobulin (IVIG), can lead to full recovery if administered
19   promptly but patients often experience limited or delayed access
 1   to these treatments because of inconsistent insurance coverage
 2   and a shortage of knowledgeable health care providers; and
 3      WHEREAS, The Pennsylvania Rare Disease Advisory Council
 4   (PARDAC) serves as an advisory board to the General Assembly and
 5   other State and private agencies that provide services to or are
 6   charged with the care of individuals with rare diseases but has
 7   not yet issued specific resources or recommendations on PANS and
 8   PANDAS; and
 9      WHEREAS, A limited number of health care practitioners in
10   this Commonwealth have specialized training in the diagnosis and
11   treatment of PANS and PANDAS, which creates significant barriers
12   to timely and appropriate care for affected patients and
13   families across this Commonwealth; and
14      WHEREAS, Patients affected by PANS and PANDAS are frequently
15   misdiagnosed with primary psychiatric disorders such as
16   obsessive-compulsive disorder, attention-deficit/hyperactivity
17   disorder, oppositional defiant disorder, Tourette's syndrome,
18   autism spectrum disorder, avoidant or restrictive food intake
19   disorder, anorexia, major depressive disorder, generalized
20   anxiety disorder or bipolar disorder, which leads to delayed
21   treatment and prolonged suffering; and
22      WHEREAS, There are no State laws that mandate insurance
23   coverage for PANS and PANDAS treatments, unlike 22 states that
24   offer some insurance coverage and at least 15 states, including
25   Illinois, Massachusetts, Virginia and California, that have
26   enacted laws requiring coverage for diagnosis and therapies such
27   as IVIG; and
28      WHEREAS, A comprehensive study is necessary to address gaps
29   in awareness, resources, insurance coverage, provider capacity
30   and policy in order to better support affected patients and

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 1   families across this Commonwealth; therefore be it
 2      RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the Joint
 3   State Government Commission to conduct a study on pediatric
 4   acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome and pediatric autoimmune
 5   neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal
 6   infections in this Commonwealth; and be it further
 7      RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission, in
 8   conducting the study, examine all of the following:
 9          (1)     Which insurers, if any, currently cover treatments
10      for PANS and PANDAS, including diagnostic tests, antibiotics,
11      anti-inflammatory medications and immunomodulatory therapies
12      such as IVIG.
13          (2)     Existing resources provided by the Commonwealth
14      regarding PANS and PANDAS, including any initiatives, funding
15      or guidance from PARDAC.
16          (3)     An estimate of the number of health care
17      practitioners who treat PANS and PANDAS across this
18      Commonwealth, including pediatricians, neurologists,
19      immunologists and psychiatrists with relevant expertise.
20          (4)     The most common misdiagnoses for PANS and PANDAS and
21      the impact of those misdiagnoses on patient outcomes.
22          (5)     Legislative and policy actions taken by other states
23      to address PANS and PANDAS, including insurance mandates,
24      mandated provider education, awareness campaigns and advisory
25      councils.
26          (6)     Recommendations for legislation or policy changes in
27      this Commonwealth to improve diagnosis, treatment access,
28      insurance coverage, provider education and support services
29      for PANS and PANDAS.
30          (7)     Any other information that the Joint State

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 1      Government Commission deems necessary for the completion of
 2      the study;
 3   and be it further
 4      RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission, in
 5   carrying out the study, consult with PARDAC, Statewide medical
 6   organizations, such as the Pennsylvania Medical Society and the
 7   Pennsylvania Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics,
 8   national experts in PANS, including the PANS Research Consortium
 9   at Stanford, health insurers that operate in this Commonwealth,
10   rare disease advocacy groups, such as PANDAS/PANS Parents of
11   Pennsylvania, the PANDAS Physicians Network and the Alliance to
12   Solve PANS and Immune-Related Encephalopathies, and health care
13   access groups, such as the Pennsylvania Health Access Network,
14   to develop evidence-based recommendations for inclusion in the
15   study report; and be it further
16      RESOLVED, That the Joint State Government Commission issue a
17   report of its findings and recommendations to the House of
18   Representatives no later than 18 months after the adoption of
19   this resolution; and be it further
20      RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be transmitted to
21   the Department of Health, the Insurance Department and the
22   organizations consulted in the study.




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