September 29, 2026 · HEALTH · 3,403 words · 25 speakers · 239 segments
. Thank you. Thank you. Good morning, everybody. I'd like to call this meeting of the House Health Committee to order. Patrick, will you please take the roll?
Chair Frankel. Here.
Rep Benham. Here. Rep Borowski.
Rep Boyd. Designation.
Rep Hamdage. Here. Rep Howard. Designation.
Rep Khan. Designation.
Rep Kozarowski. Designation.
Rep Kharjewski. Designation.
Rep Mayes. Designation.
Rep Freelotten. Designation.
Rep Sanchez. Designation.
Rep Schusterman. Designation.
Rep Venkat. Designation.
Chair Rapp. I expect some of these folks to get here. Here.
Rep Bonner. Designation.
Rep Borowitz. Here.
Rep Brown. Here.
Rep Day. Designation.
Rep Krupa. Designation.
Rep Roy. Here.
Rep Rossi. Here.
Rep Stair. Here.
Rep Tordzik. Present.
Rep Walsh. Designation.
Rep Zimmerman. Here.
We have a quorum. Thank you, Patrick. Thank you, members. The chair calls up House Bill 2657. Printers number 3668. sponsored by Representative Kosarowski. Erica, would you please describe the bill?
House Bill 2657 regulates the sale of kratom products in Pennsylvania and bans potent derivatives including 7-OH and mitragynine pseudo-indoxyl. Natural kratom products, those that can be sold, are defined as those products made from pure leaf and not mixed with any other non-kratom product. Kratom shots or kratom gummies, for example, would be prohibited. Sellers of natural kratom products in leaf or powder form must register with the Department of Health and follow sales rules related to packaging, labeling, and advertising requirements and prohibitions on sales to minors. Sale of synthetic or non-natural kratom products are made entirely illegal. Local and state law enforcement is empowered to work with the Attorney General to investigate violations, and violations are also considered a deceptive practice under the Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law. Natural kratom products will be taxed as tobacco products.
Thank you, Erica. Representative Kosarowski is not here. I'll have some comments on this, but before that, are there other comments before I turn it over to Chair Rapp?
Chair Rapp. Thank you, Chairman Frankel. I'll be supporting this bill in committee today. We've all seen the signs around our towns advertising Kratom and the 7OH products for sale, whether in gas stations, convenience stores, or other places of business. These products are not regulated, and we do not know what else is in those products. Labeling is inconsistent. Product packing may contain characters that appeal to children. There is no age limit for who may buy them. we do need to rein in the marketing and sale of synthetic kratom. According to the Pennsylvania Poison Control Centers from January 2022 through June 2025, there have been calls to these centers for individuals as young as 12 months of age and as old as 80 years of age. the topic reasons for exposure have been for abuse and for misuse of kratom. Ten reports involved suspected suicide. Fourteen individuals were mechanically ventilated. And just recently, if you watch the news, I'm sure you've seen, there were reports of two college students in Mississippi who died, and kratom was found during the death investigations. And I will close with this. The co-sponsorship memorandum states that we cannot wait for the federal government to take action and that Pennsylvania cannot wait for Washington to act in reference to regulating Kratom. We don't need to wait for the federal government to act, even though the DEA recently published two notices of intent relating to 70H, and one of those resulted in temporary scheduling. The Pennsylvania Department of Health has had the ability to schedule Kratom this entire time, either temporarily or permanently. They're not required to wait for legislation, nor are they required to wait for the federal government to act. The department could have already temporarily scheduled Kratom while we work on legislation. Instead, they've opted to try to educate the public more. I'm not sure how to interpret the departments in action, but nevertheless, they can still act. Perhaps, now that the department has withdrawn their 502-page communicable disease regulations, they'll have more time to draft a two-page temporarily scheduling synthetic kratom. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you, Chair Rapp. I want to express my sincere thanks to the prime sponsors including Representative Kozorowski Representative Prokopiak and Representative Donahue for their efforts on this bill The legislation attempts to address the very serious problem related to kratom while allowing limited use. This legislation would ban all synthetic kratom products, including the highly addictive OH7 and synthesized mythaginin pseudodoxyl. I think I got close to that one. Under this legislation, only kratom in its natural form as a leaf powder could be sold. Products that could be confused for drinks or candy would be removed from the shelves. The goal is to continue to make products that some find therapeutic available while eliminating the most dangerous products or forms that might be appealing to young people or consumers who simply don't understand how dangerous Kratom can be. My understanding is that Representative Kosarowski will be offering a comprehensive amendment to address any potential loopholes in the bill to tax the products in a simpler way and to direct those tax dollars towards oversight, among other changes. That amendment will be offered on the floor in order to move the bill expeditiously since we're coming to the end of session. With that, I'd ask for a roll call vote.
Patrick?
Jerry Frankel. Aye. Rep Benham.
Yes.
Rep Borowski.
Yes.
Rep Boyd.
Yes.
Rep Hemdage.
Yes.
Rep Howard.
Designation, yes.
Rep Khan.
Designation, yes.
Rep Kozarowski.
Designation, yes.
Rep Krijuski.
Designation, yes.
Rep Mays.
Designation, yes.
Rep Freelotten.
Designation, yes.
Rep Sanchez.
Designation, yes.
Rep Schusterman.
Designation, yes.
Rep Venkid.
Designation, yes.
Chair Rapp.
Yes.
Rep Bonner.
Designation, yes.
Rep Borwitz.
Yes.
Rep Brown.
Yes.
Rep Day.
Designation, yes.
Rep Krupa.
Designation, yes.
Rep Roy.
Yes.
Rep Rossi.
Yes.
Rep Stare.
Yes.
Rep Tordzik.
Yes.
Rep Walsh.
Designation, yes.
Rep Zimmerman.
Yes.
Motion passes. Thank you, members. House Bill 2657 will be reported as committed. Chair now calls up House Bill 2702, printers number 3773, which I am sponsoring. Patrick, will you please explain the bill?
House Bill 2702 amends Title 35 remove the sunset provision for the Pennsylvania Health Care Cost Containment Council, which is currently scheduled to expire in 2030.
Is there any discussion on the bill before I turn to Chair Ratt? Yes, Representative Borowski.
Yes. Thank you, Chair Frankel. I would urge my colleagues to vote yes on this legislation to repeal the sunset on PHC4. So when I worked in health care, marketing, PR, and government relations, we in administration, we used to wait for the PHC4 reports to come out. It used to help guide us whether the reports were positive or negative. It used to guide our work, and it was extremely beneficial. And I think it's also very important for consumers to be able to see these reports as well. So I would urge everyone to support their, continue to support the work of PHC4. I think it is an excellent way to keep transparency when it comes to our health care industry. Thank you.
Thank you.
I represent Roy, Chair Roy. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So does this extend the sunset date or completely eliminate a sunset date and make it a permanent thing?
It eliminates the sunset date and makes it a permanent thing.
Okay. Now, for me, that's what I thought. I just wanted to double check. That's a concern to me because we have a lot of state government is on autopilot that we never look at. There are so many different things, different taxes, fees, assessments, dozens and dozens of other funds. You always hear about the general fund, but there's all these other funds that just go on autopilot, no legislative oversight hardly at all. I think the purpose of a sunset day is to give legislators a chance to review stuff and say, hey, is this working? Is it cost effective? Is it actually reducing health care costs? Is it actually containing anything? Are they running it properly? If we pass this, between now and the end of time, this might not ever get looked at again, regardless of how good of a job or bad of a job they do, no matter how expensive they are, anything. And then my second thing I want to mention, I guess, is this doesn't sunset until 2030. This is 2026. So it seems like if we wanted to get rid of the sunset, wait until 2029 to do it and then make a decision. I don't know why we have to make a decision almost four years ahead of time because normally when sunset dates get put on things, it's for a several-year period. It just seems not the best way of doing it to get rid of the sunset date four years before the sunset date even comes up. So I'm going to be a no. I urge a no vote.
Other comments? Chair Rapp.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I will be supporting this bill while the sunset provision does not expire until 2030. PCH4 has been in existence for 40 years. This organization's authorization to operate expired at one time and only remain in existence through multiple executive orders. PCH4 has done admirable work in data collection and public reporting regarding cost, quality, and availability of health care in Pennsylvania. Their information is helpful as we continue to debate health care policy in this Commonwealth. So thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you, Chair Rapp. As Chair Rapp noted, the PHC4 has just celebrated its 40th anniversary since its inception from Act 89 of 1986, the product of an agreement that was very collaborative with labor, business, insurance, and health systems to try to add transparency and value in health care. Several years ago, this committee added four members of the legislature to the board of PHC4, and I'm proud to serve on the board alongside of my co-prime sponsor of this bill, Representative Brian Cutler. The legislation addresses an ongoing problem for PHC 4, the sunset provision. It was appropriate when the council was new, but now creates unnecessary instability, making it harder to keep expertise. This simple provision ensures the existence of PHC 4. It does not address funding or scope of work, but simply allows them the security of knowing that the agency will continue to be recognized. I'd ask for a favorable vote on this. With that, Patrick, would you call the roll?
Chair Frankel Yes Rep Benham Yes Rep Borowski Yes Rep Boyd Yes Rep Handbage Yes Rep Howard Designation Yes Rep Kahn Designation
Yes. Rep. Kosorowski.
Designation.
Yes. Rep. Krajewski.
Designation.
Yes. Rep. Mays.
Designation.
Yes. Rep. Frioladen.
Yes.
Rep. Sanchez.
Designation.
Yes. Rep. Schusterman.
Designation.
Yes. Rep. Vankid.
Designation.
Yes. Chair Rapp.
Yes.
Rep. Bonner.
Designation.
Yes. Rep. Borowitz.
No.
Rep. Brown.
Designation, yes.
Rep. Day.
Designation, yes.
Rep. Krupa.
Designation, yes.
Rep. Roy.
No.
Rep. Rossi.
Yes.
Rep. Stare.
Yes.
Rep. Tordzik.
Yes.
Rep. Walsh.
Designation, yes.
Rep. Zimmerman.
Yes.
Motion passes. Thank you, members. House Bill 2702 will be reported as committed. The Chair now calls up House Bill 1411, printer's number 1612, sponsored by Representative Hanbage.
Sonia, will you please explain the bill? Yes. House Bill 1411 amends the Administrative Code to direct the Department of Health to partner with providers to provide an education campaign on perimenopause and menopause.
The question is, will the committee report House Bill 1411 on that question? Representative Hanbidge is offering amendment A04293.
Sonia, will you please describe the amendment? Yes. The amendment is to include mental health providers in the list of providers.
Any discussion on the amendment? Will the committee agree the amendment? Are there any votes in opposition to it? Okay. Please, Patrick, will you please take the roll?
Chair Frankel.
Yes. Rep. Benham.
Rep Borowski,
Rep Boyd.
Rep Hambage.
Rep Howard,
Designation yes.
Rep Conn,
Resignation yes.
Rep Kozarowski,
Rep Kozirsci,
Designation yes.
Rep Mahes,
Rep Friolawton,
Rep Sanchez,
Resignation yes.
Rep Shusterman,
Rep Benke,
Designation yes.
Yes. Rep Bonner,
Designation yes.
Rep Borowitz.
No.
Rep Brown.
Designation yes.
Rep Day.
Designation yes.
Rep Krupa.
Designation yes.
Rep Roy.
No.
Rep Rossi.
Yes.
Rep Stare.
Yes.
Rep Tordzik.
Yes.
Rep Walsh.
Designation yes.
Rep Zimmerman.
Yes.
24-2, motion passes. Thank you, members. The question occurs, will the committee report House Bill 1411 as amended? Is there discussion on the bill the chair recognizes? Representative Hanbage.
Thank you, Mr. Chair, and thank you to both chairs for bringing up this bill. I think this is a really important bill. It addresses a significant gap in public health education by directing the Department of Health to provide accurate, accessible information about perimenopause and menopause. Too many women experience this stage of life without having sufficient information to understand what is happening to their bodies, what symptoms to expect, or what treatment options are available. In fact, in 2025, AARP did a survey, and 32% of women say they lack important information about perimenopause and menopause. A 2026 poll by Gallup said that only 37% of women felt that they have a good understanding of perimenopause and menopause, and only 25% know their treatment options. This is not only a health issue. It is a workforce and economic issue. More than 75% of women experience menopause while working, often during their peak earning and leadership years. Symptoms can contribute to missed work, reduced productivity, reduced hours, and women stepping back from career opportunities. The economic cost of untreated menopause is measured in billions of dollars nationally. House Bill 1411 recognizes that reliable health information is an important step to preventative care. These materials will explain the biological changes of perimenopause and menopause, common symptoms, treatment options, misconceptions, and when symptoms warrant medical attention. They will give women the information they need to understand what is happening and make informed decisions about their health. This bill is about more than education. It's about helping women stay healthy, stay engaged in their careers, and avoid unnecessary barriers to care. By advancing this bill, we can improve women's health literacy, strengthen preventative care, ensure Pennsylvania women have the information they need to navigate this major stage of life, and show our collective support for the women of this commonwealth and their health.
Thank you, Representative Hanbidge. Other discussion? Representative Borowitz.
Thank you, Chairman. I'm all for education on perimenopause and menopause, but from a doctor's perspective to his or her patients, certainly not involving the Department of Health. As Chairwoman Rapp just said a few minutes ago, we had a 500-page proposal by the Department of Health, the same Governor Shapiro Department of Health, a 500-page proposal that they didn't even understand the term woman. They wanted to eliminate the term woman and didn't understand that. So I'm not too sure why we would want the Department of Health involved in education for women when you can't define women. So the Democrat Department of Health certainly doesn't have a role. And so, you know, as much as I like the premise of doctors talking to women about perimenopause and menopause, including the Department of Health and government is not a good idea, especially when they can't define a woman. Thank you, Chairman.
Yes, thank you. Representative Roy.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. So is it illegal now for the Department of Health to do this? Because this would require the Department of Health to do it. But is the current state law, it's illegal for them to do it?
It's not illegal, but it is an additional activity that we would be asking them to do. So currently it is legal. The Department of Health could do everything the bill wants them to do, but they're just not doing it? The department has limited capacity and often sort of acts at the direction of the legislature. If there are educational campaigns that the legislature would like them to promote, I think they err on the side of sort of following the direction of the legislature.
Because it seems like this administration and all the prior administrations have started all kinds of different initiatives and projects and task forces and publicizing different things and new websites and educational material on various different topics. And I guess I just don understand if this is important to do I don know why the Shapiro administration just doesn do it I mean, why can't the Department of Health just do it? I can't believe this is that important of an issue. They say, nope, we ain't going to do it unless you pass a law forcing us to do it. That's the only way we're going to do it. If we don't have to do it by law, we absolutely refuse to do it. So I don't know. I guess I just don't understand it. And if it was important, they would already be doing it. It's not illegal for them to do it. But they're waiting for us to pass a law and say, okay, we passed it in the House. The Senate passes it. The governor signed it. Now you have to do it. Well, why would the governor go through the hassle of signing this if he could just make one phone call and say, hey, guys, start doing this? So I don't know. I'm going to be voting no. I just think it's ridiculous.
I would just say in response to that, I mean, I've been on this committee for a long time. I don't think this is the first time that our committee or the legislature has given direction to the administration of the moment as to what we believe is a priority, and particularly in a landscape that has been evolving around this issue, certainly around the country, and more focus on it, trying to remove the stigma. I think this has been an important effort, and it's certainly not unprecedented in terms of our committee putting forth issues that ought to be highlighted and provide the education for the public as it evolves. So I don't think this is an unusual request or piece of legislation. Chair Rapp.
Thank you, Mr. Chair. Sorry about that. It's estimated that 47 million women enter menopause each year. In the United States alone, approximately 1 to 2 million women reach menopause annually. While I do believe the best source of information for a woman comes from her own health care providers, education that is readily accessible to women from experts can be an additional tool for women when it is needed. I certainly know that there is a lot of information on the Internet, whether it's correct or not. I did a search just this morning, so there's a lot of information out there. But I will be supporting this bill in committee today, and thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you, Chair Raft. Thank you, members. And I want to thank Representative Hanvich, who has been an incredible voice on this issue generally, and other members of our caucus who have put forward the issue of menopause and perimenopause as something that we ought to be focused on. So with that, I would ask for a favorable vote on House Bill 1411. Those voting with affirmative vote aye. Those who vote no. Chair Frankel. Yes. Rep Benham.
Yes.
Rep Rowski.
Yes.
Rep Boyd.
Yes.
Rep Handage.
Yes.
Rep Howard.
Yes.
Rep Khan.
Yes.
Rep Kozarowski.
Yes.
Rep Krajewski.
Yes.
Rep Mays.
Yes.
Rep Friolotten.
Yes.
Rep Sanchez.
Yes.
Rep Schusterman.
Yes.
Rep Venkit.
Yes.
Chair Rapp.
Yes.
Rep Bonner.
Designation yes.
Rep Borowitz.
No.
Rep Brown.
Designation yes.
Rep Day.
Designation yes.
Rep Krupa.
Designation yes.
Rep Roy.
No.
Rep Rossi.
Yes.
Rep Stare.
Designation yes.
Rep Tordzik.
Yes.
Rep Walsh.
Designation yes.
Rep Zimmerman.
Yes.
24-2, motion passes. Thank you members. will be reported as amended. I guess so many of the reasons not to have that done on the floor. So I just wanted to thank that to those who would like to spoke in the committee on this. So many of the reasons that so many of the reasons that as such, as we want to vote on the candidate of the committee, Thank you. Thank you.
I will see the assistant representative myself recognizes . I am . I am representative . Any opposition . Thank you. Thank you.