Legislative Roundup: Shapiro taking action to protect access to reproductive health care

Gov. Josh Shapiro sued the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) over its attempt to restrict federal funding for reproductive health care and family planning services.

In July, Shapiro said the Trump Administration announced new terms and conditions on Title X grants for the 2027-2032 grant cycle, attempting to restrict access to reproductive health care in order to advance the Trump Administration’s political agenda.

The lawsuit seeks to stop the unlawful implementation of conditions that require applicants and grantees to demonstrate “alignment” and “ongoing compliance” with the Trump Administration’s political priorities in order to apply for federal family planning dollars appropriated under Title X of the Public Health Service Act — ultimately undermining the program’s purpose and governing regulations.

“I’ve made very clear that I will do everything in my power to ensure that every Pennsylvanian has access to the health care services they need,” Shapiro said. “So long as I’m Governor, I will continue using my authority to fight for this critical funding and protect access to these services.”

According to the Governor’s Office, for more than 50 years, Title X has been the only federal funding stream dedicated to providing low-income, uninsured, or under-insured individuals with access to critical and comprehensive family planning services, including lifesaving cervical cancer testing; testing and treatment for sexually transmitted infections that preserve health and long-term fertility and prevent community spread; and contraception and fertility care that empowers individuals to have children if, when, and how they choose.

According to information from the Governor’s Office, among HHS’ new conditions to receive this funding are requirements to end programs that encourage health equity or serve the needs of transgender and intersex individuals; end “overmedicalization” — a category that HHS indicates includes hormonal contraception; safeguard “life-affirming” program delivery; adopt directive counseling that pushes patients towards parenthood and marriage; and advance other political priorities that are irrelevant to Title X.

As a result, Shapiro said Pennsylvania’s Title X programs must either commit to rebuild from the ground up to conform to the Trump Administration’s political conditions — contrary to the core purpose of Title X core and in possible violation of the law — or submit funding applications based on their existing, compliant programming and risk rejection for failing to satisfy the federal government’s political agenda.

AG warns of new phishing scam

Attorney General Dave Sunday is warning Pennsylvanians who use MyChart — a popular online patient portal used by many hospitals and health care providers — to be aware of a phishing scam targeting patients.

Scammers are impersonating MyChart by sending emails or text messages that offer patients a chance to claim a reward in the form of a “MyChart Medicare Kit.” No such program or reward exists.

These emails and text messages are attempts to trick recipients into clicking on malicious links and to obtain passwords and personal information from patients, allowing hackers to gain access to patients’ MyChart portals.

“Scammers are always looking for new ways to obtain as much of your personal information as possible,” Sunday said. “Stay on the lookout for this new scam tactic, and contact your medical office if you’re not sure how to access the MyChart website assigned to your providers.”

Remember to:

• Remain skeptical of any unsolicited free offer.

• Do not reply to any MyChart emails or text messages; only contact your medical team through the official MyChart website.

• Delete any suspicious emails or text messages without opening any attachments or clicking on any links.

• Do not click the “unsubscribe” button in these messages; this link is likely also malicious.

• Do not reply to these messages with your password or verification codes by phone, text, or email.

• Do not follow instructions in these messages that are asking consumers to move to their computers to “verify,” “fix,” or “unlock” the MyChart account.

• Only use the official MyChart website or app provided by your medical team.

Consumers who have any questions or feel that they have been victimized by this scam may file a complaint with the Office of the Attorney General’s Bureau of Consumer Protection by visiting the website, by emailing scams@attorneygeneral.gov, or by calling the office at 1-800-441-2555.

DDAP launches support for problem gambling

Pennsylvania Department of Drug and Alcohol Programs (DDAP) Secretary Dr. Latika Davis-Jones this week announced the Shapiro Administration is expanding access to problem gambling services by funding — for the first time in Commonwealth history — dedicated case management services to help Pennsylvanians affected by problem gambling.

Case management, which is separate from treatment, is designed to help individuals and their families navigate treatment and recovery services and to assist with non-clinical needs, such as coordinating care, transportation, child care, finding employment and housing, accessing health care providers, and financial literacy. Trained professionals known as case managers will assist individuals with accessing these and other supportive services.

“This is a landmark day for problem gambling services here in Pennsylvania,” Davis-Jones said. “The addition of case management services is in direct response to what we’ve heard from Pennsylvanians receiving treatment for problem gambling — much of their counseling time was being spent trying to address their non-treatment needs because all too often individuals have lost everything before entering treatment. By offering case management, we will help bridge the gap between treatment and outside factors that can affect someone’s ability to recover by providing a consistent point of support to help navigate available resources and barriers to care.”

The new service is part of DDAP’s broader efforts to expand access to problem gambling services across the Commonwealth by addressing barriers that may prevent individuals from getting help and marks a significant milestone in strengthening the continuum of care for Pennsylvanians in need of problem gambling treatment and related supports.

Through the Commonwealth’s Compulsive and Problem Gambling Treatment Fund, DDAP will serve as the payor of last resort for case management services, providing a critical service for individuals whose insurance does not cover case management.

Pennsylvanians can locate a case management provider through two main ways:

• Log on to DDAP’s case management online locator.

• Call 1-800-GAMBLER, Pennsylvania’s Problem Gambling Helpline.

Prior to the launch of case management, if an individual would call the helpline – which is administered through the Council on Compulsive Gambling of Pennsylvania (CCGP) – they would only be offered outpatient treatment. Now, all callers are offered both outpatient treatment and case management services. If they opt to receive case management services, the caller will then be referred to a case management provider to begin the process of getting connected with a case manager.

According to CCGP, more people are engaging in gambling in Pennsylvania than ever before, and 2025 saw the highest number ever of people seeking help, with thousands of individuals and families reaching out to the helpline, further illustrating the need for expanded resources.

Nearly 15 case management organizations are providing services across Pennsylvania, either in person or virtually.

They include Wyoming Valley Drug and Alcohol, which serves Lackawanna and Susquehanna counties.

For information on the Shapiro Administration’s problem gambling resources, visit ddap.pa.gov.

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