March 26, 2026

HARRISBURG - Rep. Kathy L. Rapp (R-Warren/Crawford/Forest), Republican chair of the House Health Committee, announced two bills were approved by the committee at a voting meeting this week. However, Rapp indicated both pieces of legislation will need to be reevaluated prior to a vote on the House floor.

The first of those bills is House Bill 1077, which would establish a commission that works with vision care professionals from local nonprofits in Pennsylvania to develop a statewide plan to provide follow-up vision exams and glasses to our youth.

"I think it's important for our students to have the tools they need to succeed in school, which, for some, includes access to vision care and eyeglasses," Rapp said. "I also recognize there may be gaps in connecting students with follow-up vision services so they receive the care they need. But, given the Commonwealth's current fiscal outlook, I am not sure if this is the appropriate time to be funding additional commissions, no matter how admirable the intent behind them may be. I supported the bill out of committee, but I will be taking a close look at any fiscal notes and weighing the overall need for this bill prior to its consideration on the House Floor."

The second bill, House Bill 2265, would require a hospital emergency department to be staffed when it is open by an on-site emergency physician.

"I supported this bill in committee, but I want to make it clear that I am not committing to supporting this bill on the floor," Rapp said. "I do recognize the work that went into amending this bill and the important provision that was inserted into the bill to protect any hospital that already has an exception in place.

"Under this bill, tele-ED services will be prohibited going forward for any hospital that experiences staffing shortages that they cannot address adequately. The guidance issued by the Department of Health a few years ago will essentially be rescinded. I feel this is shortsighted, as we don't know what the future holds. I think we can all agree that we prefer in-person physicians in an emergency department as opposed to physicians who are only available virtually. But I think in some ways that devalues the work of advanced practice practitioners who can work in concert with physicians who are available via a tele-ED model. The alternative, which is the possible closing of an ED unit or a hospital itself due to a lack of staffing, is a far worse outcome."

Both pieces of legislation now head to the full House for consideration.

Representative Kathy Rapp
65th District
Pennsylvania House of Representatives
Media Contact: Jake Gillespie
717.772.9834