Legislation authored by state Rep. Jeff Wheeland (R-Lycoming) that would help improve access to home health care services by making permanent two regulations waived during the COVID-19 pandemic was signed into law by Gov. Tom Wolf on June 30. Prior to the pandemic, non-physician practitioners were unable to order or oversee orders for home health care services. Additionally, registered nurses were not able to perform remote visits to patients in need of home health care services. Due to great need, those regulations were waived during the pandemic. Wheeland’s House Bill 2401, now Act 30 of 2022, makes these exceptions permanent, so healthcare services are more accessible to those individuals who cannot leave their homes to obtain care or treatment.
