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The latest news from the State Capitol |
House Bill 1280 Aims to Ensure Clarity, Efficiency in Patient Test Results
The House unanimously approved legislation this week to better ensure clear and timely communication to patients of their medical test results.
Currently, the Patient Test Result Information Act (Act 112 of 2018) requires imaging entities to directly notify the patient if the test results indicate significant abnormalities. Inconsistent interpretations of that term have led to unnecessary confusion and anxiety for some patients.
House Bill 1280 removes the definition of “significant abnormality” from the law and instead requires diagnostic imaging entities to provide patients with written notice at the time of ANY imaging service. The notice shall state that the results of the test(s) will be sent to the ordering health care practitioner. If the ordering practitioner doesn’t reach out within 21 days or the electronic health records haven’t been updated, it is recommended that the patient follow up with the practitioner to discuss the results.
The bill now goes to the Senate for its consideration.
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Farm Show Ends Tomorrow
The 106th Pennsylvania Farm Show will end tomorrow (Saturday, Jan. 15) at the Farm Show Complex in Harrisburg. This year’s theme is “Harvesting More.” I had a conversation with Agriculture Secretary Russell Redding about the theme and future of Pennsylvania agriculture. You can watch that conversation in the video linked above.
After an all-virtual show in 2021, the event returned to its traditional in-person format but has continued some of the virtual experiences that allowed Pennsylvanians to participate in the Farm Show in new ways.
The food court continues to be a popular destination with new offerings that include pierogies, shredded portabella mushrooms, veggie burgers, corn dogs, beef jerky snacks and more.
Admission to the show is free, but parking is $15 per vehicle. Shuttle service is provided.
More information is available at www.farmshow.pa.gov.
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College Students Looking for Work?
PennDOT is looking to hire college students from May through August to supplement its permanent workforce.
The job typically entails seasonal maintenance work and sign upgrade services, maintenance and custodial services at roadside rest facilities, and laboring and flagging duties in maintenance organizations and highway worksites.
The hourly rate is $14.61. Interested applicants should contact my office by Wednesday, Feb. 16, and also apply online at www.employment.pa.gov to the PennDOT College Student Summer Worker posting under the Open Jobs section.
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New Amtrak Station Opens
The newly built Amtrak station in Middletown opened Monday to train passengers. The $49.5 million project combined investments from the Federal Transit Administration and PennDOT with in-kind work by Amtrak. The station at the intersection of West Emaus and West Main streets provides better handicapped accessibility than the previous station.
I’m looking forward to the scheduled ribbon-cutting ceremony.
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New Water Assistance Program for Qualified Low-Income Residents
The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) is now accepting applications for the new Low Income Household Water Assistance Program (LIHWAP), which will help Pennsylvanians with low incomes maintain access to drinking and wastewater services.
The program is available to families who have past due water bills, had their service terminated, or received a notice indicating that their service will be terminated in the next 60 days.
Households can receive LIHWAP grants for both drinking water service and wastewater service. Grants are issued directly to water service providers, and families must meet income requirements. For example, in order for a single person to be eligible, the maximum income is $19,320. The limit for a household of two is $26,130 and for four the limit is $39,750.
For more information about the program and how to apply, click here.
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