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HB 949

An Act amending the act of May 17, 1921 (P.L.682, No.284), known as The Insurance Company Law of 1921, in casualty insurance, further providing for speech therapy for stuttering.

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Lisa Borowski and 20 co-sponsors

Pennsylvania bill expands insurance coverage requirements for speech therapy treating stuttering in casualty insurance policies, potentially improving access to treatment services.

Referred to Insurance
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 949

Legislative bill overview

HB 949 amends Pennsylvania's Insurance Company Law of 1921 to expand casualty insurance coverage requirements for speech therapy services specifically treating stuttering. The bill modifies existing insurance regulations to potentially mandate or clarify coverage standards for this therapeutic intervention.

Why is this important

Stuttering affects approximately 1% of the U.S. population, and speech therapy can be expensive—often costing $50-200 per session. This bill could reduce out-of-pocket costs for Pennsylvanians seeking stuttering treatment by requiring insurance coverage, making therapeutic services more accessible to lower-income individuals and families who might otherwise forgo treatment.

Potential points of contention

  • Insurance cost implications: Mandating coverage could increase insurance premiums for all policyholders, raising questions about whether this should apply to all casualty insurance products or specific categories
  • Medical necessity definition: Unclear whether the bill defines what qualifies as medically necessary stuttering treatment or which providers (speech-language pathologists vs. other practitioners) would be covered
  • Scope ambiguity: The phrase "further providing" suggests prior language exists, but the bill's exact modifications to existing coverage standards are not detailed in this summary, making legislative intent unclear

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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