PRINTER'S NO. 4138
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
942
Session of
2020
INTRODUCED BY MURT, SCHLOSSBERG, READSHAW, BURNS AND YOUNGBLOOD,
JULY 14, 2020
REFERRED TO COMMITTEE ON HEALTH, JULY 14, 2020
A RESOLUTION
Directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to
conduct a study of the availability and accessibility of
obstetrical services in this Commonwealth.
WHEREAS, The medical assistance program ensures access to
comprehensive health care services for low-income individuals
and families or those with medical expenses exceeding available
income; and
WHEREAS, There are approximately 140,000 babies born in
Pennsylvania hospitals each year; and
WHEREAS, There is a growing trend of diminished access to
care for women who are pregnant, due in part to the closing of
at least 33 hospital obstetrical units in the last two decades
and increasing shortages of obstetricians, family practitioners,
nurse midwives, technicians, anesthesiologists and other trained
personnel; and
WHEREAS, Medical Assistance funds one of every three births
each year in this Commonwealth and is the most important source
of financing for the cost of care for premature infants;
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therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives direct the
Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a
comprehensive study to assure readily available and coordinated
obstetrical care of the highest quality to the citizens of this
Commonwealth; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the committee report on its study and include
in the report examination of the availability of obstetricians
and nurse midwives and other health care professionals needed
for the care of expectant mothers, the adequacy of access to the
full spectrum of prenatal, obstetrical and postpartum care for
each region of this Commonwealth and by insurance status, the
adequacy of insurer or managed care provider networks for
obstetrical services, identification of any standards of care
ratios for the number of physicians and nurse midwives per
number of expectant mothers and births and comparison to
Pennsylvania data, adequacy of insurance coverage for expectant
mothers, comparison of the range of Pennsylvania Medical
Assistance payments for obstetrical care to Medical Assistance
payments made in other states and comparison of Pennsylvania
fees paid for obstetrical care by other health care insurers or
payors; and be it further
RESOLVED, That the committee make recommendations to the
General Assembly on actions that could be taken to ensure
adequate availability and accessibility of a full spectrum of
obstetrical care to all citizens of this Commonwealth; and be it
further
RESOLVED, That the committee submit its report and
recommendations to the Chief Clerk of the House of
Representatives by December 31, 2020.
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