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Public Policy

The Pennsylvania Catholic Health Association (PCHA), an associate of the PCC, comprises the Catholic hospitals, nursing homes, health systems and free-standing health care agencies in PA. The PCHA supports the Catholic health care ministry in PA through witness to Gospel values, advocacy, communication, networking, education and united action. The PCHA monitors legislation and regulatory matters and participates in public policy development affecting Catholic health care ministry.

Expand access to health care by seeking legislative remedies to reduce the number of uninsured, particularly children, and remove barriers to coverage in private health insurance products.
Review and address issues in the “Prescription for Pennsylvanians” health care reform initiative as it unfolds.
Monitor health care reform as it relates to collaboration and partnering (merger, acquisitions, joint ventures and anti-trust) that may affect Catholic identity and threaten religious freedom, and seek legislative, regulatory or policy remedies if appropriate.
Monitor developments in managed care public policy, and seek protection for consumers and providers that address: ability of Catholic organizations to participate in health service and insurance offerings; standards/principles for accountable managed care; ethical issues for Catholic organizations; allowing provider-sponsored organizations to coordinate care.
Monitor legislation to create a “Patient Bill of Rights” and whistle blowing provisions.
Support the use of tobacco settlement monies for health care needs and continue to advocate for ethical oversight in use of funding for research and development initiatives.
Address issues in the Medical Assistance Program, in particular: restructuring of the program; access; redesign of “care mix” reimbursement system for nursing facilities; reimbursement; managed care; selective contracting; provider taxes; education of clients for decision-making; protecting coverage for legal immigrants; Catholic provider participation; and clarification of eligibility, approval process, timely payment for services, and appeals process as they relate to long-term care.
Monitor effects of welfare reform especially as changes relate to access, availability, and provision of health care services, and seek remedial action as appropriate.
Advocate for reform across the entire continuum of long-term care services.
Follow developments in the role of licensure, absent the oversight of Certificate of Need, and participate as proposed changes to the health care facility licensure regulations that affect access and quality of health care services move through the regulatory review process.
Monitor the issue of nonprofit to for-profit hospital conversions.
Take action as appropriate upon general issues with a moral, ethical or ministerial dimension, in particular, aid in dying, tax exemption and charitable accountability.
Monitor the development of health information networks for retention of privacy and confidentiality of information.
Monitor nurse staffing level guidelines and other workforce issues, in particular, the shortage of health care staff.
Monitor developments which relate to ethical challenges of bioterrorism.
Address the malpractice liability crisis as it relates to access to health care services.
Monitor recommendations of the “Improving End-of-Life Experiences for Pennsylvanians” task force report and address issues as appropriate.
Oppose legislation and regulations that would mandate Catholic hospitals to provide emergency contraception in treating victims of sexual assault and thus violate Church teaching.