PHOTO: ADOBE STOCK

Three new state laws aimed at improving the health of Pennsylvanians are taking effect in 2025.

1. Improved Workers Compensation for Emergency Responders

Starting this fall, emergency responders will qualify for workers compensation benefits if they experience post-traumatic stress injuries on the job. The law was pushed forward by state Rep. Jennifer O’Mara, D-Delaware, after she lost her father, a Philadelphia firefighter, to suicide.

“In the aftermath of suicide, we’re haunted not just by the loss, but by the silence of what might have been prevented,” O’Mara said in a statement. “That feeling has driven me to see this legislation through, so that it can majorly reduce harm to our emergency-responder community in Pennsylvania.”

An estimated 30% of emergency responders develop behavioral health conditions, including depression and post-traumatic stress disorder or injuries. The new law essentially lowers the burden of proof for first-responders. Under the current law, first responders had to prove there were “objective abnormal working conditions” to establish a PTSI claim, a level often difficult to meet.

One of the sponsors of the Senate bill, Sen. Camera Barlotta, said in a statement, “First responders commonly experience the most harrowing moments in others’ lives as part of their jobs. Because it’s typical for them — as opposed to something that would be very out of the ordinary for most other jobs — they were often barred from accessing important care.”

To qualify for compensation, the first responder would need to be diagnosed by a licensed psychiatrist or psychologist. The law goes into effect on Oct. 30, 2025.

2. Certified Doula Services

To improve maternal health, Medicaid will now cover certified doula services in the state. Doulas provide childbirth education and support services, including physical and emotional support, during pregnancy, labor and delivery and up to one year postpartum.

State Rep. Morgan Cephas, D-Phila., co-chair of the Pennsylvania Black Maternal Health Caucus, introduced the House bill.

“Lack of coverage for doula services in Medicaid leads to a vast disparity in care for women who are already statistically at risk for adverse pregnancy outcomes, with Black birthing people at the highest risk of maternal and infant mortality and morbidity compared to other racial and ethnic groups,” she said in a statement. “This new law will give these parents a proven network of support needed to produce better mental and physical health outcomes during their birthing journey.”

3. Biomarker Testing

Another new law requires state-regulated health insurance plans, including Medicaid, to cover biomarker testing that can improve treatment for cancer, degenerative diseases like ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease) and certain chronic and autoimmune disorders.

Biomarker testing provides more personalized, targeted treatment that can improve outcomes for patients.

“This game-changing bill is good for Pennsylvania — the health of our state and its residents,” Donna Greco, government relations director for the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network in Pennsylvania, said in a statement. “Ensuring that more Pennsylvanians will have access to proven biomarker testing will mean more patients battling cancer and many other forms of chronic disease will have the information needed to identify the best treatments possible.”

When it was signed by Gov. Josh Shapiro on July 1, Pennsylvania became the 20th state in the nation to require insurance coverage of biomarker testing.