Harrisburg—As Chairman of the Senate Banking & Insurance Committee, Senator John DiSanto (Dauphin/Perry) held a voting meeting to approve bills that promote the use of team-based healthcare as well as strengthen the independence of the state’s banking fund.
Senate Bill 425, introduced by Senator Gordner, provides a critical legislative clarification in response to a 2017 Pennsylvania Supreme Court decision that precluded health care facilities and physicians from utilizing qualified practitioners in obtaining a patient’s informed consent for medical procedures. The legislation allows physicians to use their expertise and judgment to determine how best to serve patients. The bill was supported by the Hospital Association of Pennsylvania as well as the Pennsylvania Medical Society.
“Obtaining informed consent for a treatment decision is a dynamic process of answering patient questions and weighing all available options,” DiSanto said. “The team-based approach permitted in this bill facilitates more open discussions in time-pressured healthcare environments.”
Senate Bill 432, by Senator Laughlin, ensures fees and assessments levied against banks and credit unions are used only to examine and provide regulatory oversight of these financial institutions. The bill makes certain the Department of Banking and Securities’ operations are sustainable and able to resolve any failed institutions without relying on taxpayer dollars for support.
“In recent years, two transfers have been made from the State Banking Fund to support the General Fund and other state agencies,” DiSanto said. “Converting the Banking Fund into a Trust Fund ensures regulatory assessments will support effective regulation of the industry, protecting the benefits state-chartered financial institutions provide to Pennsylvania consumers and businesses.”
CONTACT: Chuck Erdman 717-787-6801 cerdman@pasen.gov