Pennsylvania Department of Human Services

One year after President Donald Trump signed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Pennsylvania saw a 11% drop in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) enrollment, with 98,000 fewer residents receiving food benefits due to new requirements. The law includes work mandates and reduced federal aid, drawing criticism from advocates like Rep. Brendan Boyle, who called it 'robbing from the poor to give money to the ultra and mega wealthy.'

Pennsylvania lawmakers propose hiring a single pharmacy benefit manager (PBM) to manage Medicaid prescriptions, aiming to support struggling pharmacies and reduce costs, while a state official warns it could increase expenses and risks without guaranteed savings. Proponents cite Ohio's reported $140 million Medicaid savings under a similar model, but critics argue the approach may not address broader pharmacy closures.

Pennsylvania Senate committee advanced three bills to prevent fraud in social services programs including SNAP, childcare, and Medicaid. The bills, which passed unanimously, aim to enhance penalties for benefit theft, reimplement annual fraud reports, and improve oversight of state-funded programs.

Pennsylvania's Republican attorney general, Dave Sunday, is appealing a Commonwealth Court decision that overturned the state's ban on Medicaid-funded abortions. The court ruled the ban unconstitutional as sex-based discrimination and recognized abortion as a fundamental right under the state constitution. Sunday argues he must defend state laws, while opponents claim the appeal delays access to reproductive care.

Pennsylvania will implement Medicaid work requirements in 2027, requiring adults aged 19-64 without children under 14 to work, volunteer, or study 80 hours monthly to retain coverage. The state faces budget and staffing challenges, with 6,000 employees needing retraining and $50 million allocated for technology upgrades. Exceptions include individuals in foster care, those with substance use disorders, pregnant women, and veterans with 100% disability.