PAMED News

The Pennsylvania Medical Society (PAMED) strongly opposes the recent rescinding of the Environmental Protection Agency’s Endangerment Finding; an action that removes a critical federal safeguard designed to protect the public from pollution and threatens public health.

In February 2024, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Department) modified the Confidentiality of Substance Use Disorder Patient Records regulations (Part 2) to implement Section 3221 of the CARES Act, which required the Department to align Part 2 regulations more closely with the HIPAA regulations.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has issued an order concerning the Civil Procedural Rules Committee's required two-year anniversary review of the medical malpractice venue rule change.

The Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) was notified by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that there is a continuing national shortage of Bicillin L-A, following the voluntary recall by King Pharmaceuticals Inc., a subsidiary of Pfizer, of Bicillin L-A (Penicillin G Benzathine Injectable Suspension) in July 2025.

PHILADELPHIA—The Philadelphia Department of Public Health is notifying travelers and others of a possible measles exposure at the following location: Philadelphia International Airport Terminal E Thursday, February 12th, 2026 from 1:35 pm to 4:30 pm

This announcement provides advance notice that the Department of Human Services (Department) intends to continue to make Medical Assistance Day One Incentive (MDOI) payments to qualified nonpublic nursing facilities for Fiscal Year (FY) 2025-2026.

The United States Secretary of Health and Human Services added Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) to the Recommended Uniform Screening Panel on December 16, 2025.

At WellSpan Ephrata Community Hospital, leadership is more than a title, it’s a calling. And few embody that calling more fully than Jyothy Punnoose, Do, whose compassionate leadership and advocacy have reshaped the hospital’s culture and elevated the standard of care across the region.

PAMED has been informed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) that DEA License suspensions have been issued to two providers at the same practice, which means the providers are currently unable to prescribe controlled substances.

In its first meeting of the year, the PAMED Board of Trustees reviewed several key business items.

On February 3, 2026, Governor Josh Shapiro delivered his annual budget address to the General Assembly, outlining his proposed Fiscal Year 2026–27.

On January 30, 2026, the Pennsylvania Health Department (DOH) identified five confirmed cases of measles in Lancaster County. These are the first cases to be identified in Pennsylvania for 2026.

We are saddened to share the news of the passing of our colleague, Dr. Virginia Hall, former Board Chair of The Foundation of the Pennsylvania Medical Society for 9 years and trustee for 24 years.

On Jan. 20, 2026, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled unfavorably in a case in which PAMED, the AMA, and the Delaware and New Jersey Medical Societies joined together to file an amici brief. The case addressed the question whether a state law providing that a complaint must be dismissed unless it is accompanied by an expert affidavit may be applied in federal court.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) jointly with the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is issuing a fourth extension of telemedicine flexibilities for the prescribing of controlled medications through December 31, 2026.

Extreme cold is forecasted for Pennsylvania from Tuesday, January 27 – Sunday, February 1, 2026.

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) released its 2026 childhood and adolescent immunization schedule, which continues to recommend routine immunization for protection against 18 diseases.

The Pennsylvania General Assembly returns to session at the end of January, with both the House and Senate meeting the week of January 26th. As we look ahead to the 2026 Pennsylvania legislative landscape it is clear it will be dominated by elections.

Regulatory updates and notices for new policies and open comment periods.

Regulatory updates from the Drug Enforcement Administration.