Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro presented his 2026–27 budget proposal to the General Assembly and the people of Pennsylvania — building on three years of historic progress by continuing to do what’s working across the commonwealth to lower costs, create economic growth, strengthen public safety, support students, and continue Pennsylvania’s rise.

The governor’s $53 billion budget proposal maintains fiscal responsibility, continues to cut taxes, and ensures taxpayer dollars are spent wisely. However, the ballooning cost of Medicaid and the challenges of dealing with an aging population will continue to put intense pressure on the budget. The line item for the Primary Care Practitioner Program, which funds the Pennsylvania Career Center and the state Primary Care Loan Repayment Program, was once again funded at $8,350,000.

Read more information about the proposed budget. You can also read a transcript of the budget address.

Department of Health & Human Services (HHS) Secretary, Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., announced a $100 million STREETS Initiative to combat homelessness, opioid addiction, and crime by expanding recovery-focused, evidence-based treatment and stable housing. The plan implements the Pres. Trump’s Great American Recovery  executive order.

For more information, visit the HHS Press Room.

On January 27, 2026, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) released its list of 15 negotiated Medicare drugs for 2028 as part of the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA).

For more information, see CMS’s webpage and fact sheet.

The 2026 Pennsylvania LGBTQIA+ Health Survey has officially launched!

The purpose of this survey is to identify health disparities experienced by the LGBTQIA+ Community, especially relating to tobacco use. This annual survey is sponsored by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and conducted by the Bradbury-Sullivan LGBT Community Center and the Pennsylvania Health Management Corp.

Click here to take the survey.

House lawmakers are now able to request community funding projects (CFPs), previously known as “earmarks”, in the Labor, Health and Human Services appropriations bill for FY 2027. CFPs are requests for funding under an existing program or account that can be used for a project in a member’s state or district. Lawmakers will be able to request funding for projects under the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) account if the projects meet certain requirements (see below). Lawmakers field requests for funding for specific projects in their districts/states and then can submit up to 20 CFP requests to the Appropriations Committee for consideration to be included in appropriations bills.

Under the HRSA account, funding can be used for the cost of limited-scope construction, renovation, or capital equipment purchase for facilities for health, mental health, or substance use disorder services, training of health professionals, or medical research. In addition to construction and renovation, CPF funding can be used to acquire capital equipment, such as lab equipment, x-ray machines, or telehealth and information technology. Find more information here.

For Pennsylvania residents in the PA-15 district must submit their application for funding by 5:00pm on Friday, March 6, 2026. using this form.

See below for other guidance for FY27:

• Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
• Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
• Energy and Water Development, and Related Agencies
• Homeland Security
• Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies
• Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies
• Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies
• Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
  • Transit Infrastructure Projects Guidance
  • Highway Infrastructure Projects Guidance
  • Airport Improvement Program (AIP) Guidance
  • Port Infrastructure Development Program Projects Guidance
  • Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Projects Guidance
  • Community Development Fund – Economic Development Initiative (EDI) Project Guidance

The 2025 Marketplace Integrity & Affordability Final Rule made changes to Open Enrollment Period (OEP) requirements for 2027.

The OEP for 2027 for all Marketplaces including Pennie must begin no later than November 1 and end no later than December 31, cannot exceed nine weeks, and all coverage must begin January 1 of the plan year.

During last week’s Board meeting, Pennie voted to change the OEP this year to run from October 15 to December 15. Stakeholders cited concerns of overlap with Medicare Open Enrollment which begins on October 15 as well. Insurers will be required to adjust plan rate filings deadlines based on the reduced timeline issued by the Pennsylvania Insurance Department.

Other changes affecting enrollment include removal of tax credit eligibility for lawfully present non-citizens and a new pre-renewal verification process for existing enrollees requiring individuals to affirm their information to keep Advanced Premium Tax Credits.

Healthcare recruitment is facing many challenges and changes, meaning having the right strategy is more crucial than ever. Jackson Physician Search released a free report that offers strategic guidance for healthcare leaders who understand that it is not the time to lose focus on recruitment. Drawing from comprehensive 2025 placement data and insights from recruitment leaders nationwide, this report explores what it takes to hire a clinician in the current market.

Download the report on their website.