A Resolution directing the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee to conduct a study and issue a report on the cost to the Commonwealth associated with the defrayal of health insurance benefit mandates under the Affordable Care Act.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Chris Gebhard and 3 co-sponsors

The bill directs a formal LBFC study and report on the Commonwealth’s costs to fund or defray ACA health insurance mandates.

Reported as committed

Summary of SR 332 (Session 2025-2026) — Pennsylvania

Purpose

Directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LBFC) to conduct a study and issue a report on the cost to the Commonwealth associated with defraying health insurance benefit mandates under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

Key provisions

Study mandate: The bill requires the LBFC to undertake a formal analysis examining the financial impact on Pennsylvania if health insurance benefit mandates required by the ACA are funded or defrayed by the Commonwealth.

Report issuance: The LBFC must prepare and issue a report detailing its findings, including estimated costs, potential funding mechanisms, and fiscal implications for state government and, by extension, state taxpayers.

Scope of analysis: While the bill text does not specify every line item, the study typically would cover:

Identified ACA health insurance mandates currently in place and applicable to Pennsylvania.
Estimated annual and long-term costs to the Commonwealth for implementing or defraying these mandates.
Potential budgetary and fiscal effects on state programs, uninsured/covered populations, and any impact on state healthcare-related expenditures.

Who and what is affected

Governmental body: Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LBFC) is empowered to conduct the study and prepare the report.

Fiscal impact: The study focuses on the cost implications for the Commonwealth of addressing ACA-related health insurance mandates, which could influence state fiscal planning and policy discussions.

Indirect beneficiaries: Policymakers, state agencies, and lawmakers who oversee health policy and state spending would gain analyzed information to inform decisions about mandate funding, waivers, or reform strategies.

Procedural and timeline aspects

Status: Referred to the Banking & Insurance Committee (as of the action history dated 2026-06-05). This indicates initial committee consideration and potential further referral or action by the Senate.

Next steps: If advanced, the Banking & Insurance Committee would likely review the bill, possibly amend it, and send it to the full Senate for consideration. The LBFC would then conduct the mandated study and prepare the report, subject to any timelines established by the bill or committee actions.

Co-sponsors: Pat Stefano, Elder Vogel, and Chris Gebhard (indicating bipartisan sponsorship and support in the Senate).

Practical implications

The bill does not enact new ACA mandates or changes in benefits itself; instead, it seeks to inform policymakers about the financial burden on the Commonwealth associated with existing ACA health insurance benefit mandates.

The resulting LBFC report could influence future fiscal decisions, potential policy options (including trade-offs, funding strategies, or reform proposals), and broader discussions on health coverage costs in Pennsylvania.

Additional notes

The text also references broader themes of health care and may appear alongside unrelated material in the provided excerpt. The core objective relevant to SR 332 is the establishment of a study and reporting requirement by the LBFC on ACA mandate costs.