Perhaps more than any other area of concern, the story of Pennsylvania’s health care in 2025 has been carved out in reaction to the massive policy swings undertaken by the federal government.

From vaccine access to affordability to a tug of war over the truth with the federal Department of Health, the state legislature found itself struggling to tread water, much less

Rising Concerns

In 2025, the state’s policymakers and top health officials found themselves frequently at odds with the federal Department of Health and Human Services helmed by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. House legislators passed efforts to protect access to vaccination, while Gov. Josh Shapiro signed an executive order to do the same.

The legislature also took up Kennedy’s assertions, repeated by President Donald Trump, that Tylenol is a main cause of autism in children. The House Democratic Policy committee hosted a panel of experts to speak on the subject.

Meanwhile, Senate Republicans appealed to Kennedy to intervene on Medicaid expansions they say the state can’t afford. House Democrats tried to address affordability of health care from the consumer side through a bipartisan bill that would raise awareness on medical debt relief.

A major issue that colored 2025 without any resolution was the growing influence of private equity. Crozer-Chester Hospital was forced to close after Prospect Medical Holdings went bankrupt, upending health care in Delaware County. Lawmakers considered bills to prevent the same thing from happening in the future.

Concern around the use of AI in health care has been mounting. The state has seen marked enthusiasm for innovation while considering parameters for guardrails around the technology.

Affordable Care Act

The state is bracing for increased premiums in its insurance market with the upcoming expiration of ACA credits at the end of the year. Despite alignment from some Republicans in both the state and federal legislature, no solution has materialized.

Democratic House lawmakers also passed legislation to preserve ACA protections at the state level to safeguard against potential federal shifts.

Workforce

Between the labor shortage and deteriorating working conditions in hospitals, the health care work force has been an urgent issue of discussion for Pennsylvanians in 2025.

Among those hardest hit are low-income hourly workers in roles like home care and hospital staff. While the home care field holds out for future Medicaid rate increases to bring them up to par with neighboring states, the Department of Labor and Industry pushed back against federal policy changes.

Violence against health care workers came to a crescendo when police officer Andrew Duarte was killed by a distraught family member of a patient at UPMC Memorial in York in February. Legislators have sought solutions while workers continue to push their employers to change.

A hearing found that the state’s chosen vendor for educating certified nursing assistants was making attempts to increase staffing even harder, while legislators pushed for incentives like student loan repayment to bolster the field.

Mental Health & Addiction

Mental health challenges and economic stressors have come together to create a perfect storm for some of the most vulnerable Pennsylvanians, and a policy headache for their elected representatives. As the federal government shifts to strategies that prioritize law, order, and institutionalization in the service of reducing homelessness on the streets, legislators have sought out ways to address root causes.

One of the major factors for people living on the streets or struggling with their mental and behavioral health is substance use. With fentanyl and other drugs still casting their shadow, the state has invested millions toward recovery programs from its share of lawsuits against the pharmaceutical companies found responsible in the opioid crisis.

Lawmakers have looked at solutions for specific populations. Those suffering from traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder, a large number of the veteran population, have promise in treatments as both state and federal lawmakers lend the issue their attention. New treatment options and funding streams are being explored for the aging population, particularly in areas of Alzheimer’s, dementia, and related diseases. Meanwhile, rural regions of the state have seen an outsized share of suicides, and organizations are thinking outside of the box to get care where it’s needed.

Rural Health Care

Despite a great deal of attention, rural health care in the state continues to deteriorate as more hospitals close their doors and independent practitioners are few and far between, including dentist offices. One doctor told The Center Square about the challenges and joys of working in the sparsely populated areas of the state.

Indiana University of Pennsylvania is working toward a College of Osteopathic Medicine The school would be a first both for the state system of higher education and for the region.

Women’s Health

From rural maternity deserts to Black maternal health care, women’s health was a major issue of discussion this legislative session. Lawmakers considered long taboo subjects like pregnancy loss and menopause.

Meanwhile advocates lamented the struggle to improve maternal and infant mortality in the state.