Merski’s bipartisan bills signed into law, modernizing healthcare and protecting homeowners
Rep. Robert Merski October 22, 2026 | 4:31 PM
HARRISBURG, Oct. 22 – With growing demand for flexible healthcare and expanded telehealth services across Pennsylvania—and heightened concerns about transparency and consumer protections in the insurance claims process—state Rep. Bob Merski, D Erie, announced that two bipartisan measures, H.B. 1961 and H.B. 1972, have been signed into law.
House Bill 1961 authorizes the commonwealth to join a multistate licensure compact for physician assistants, modernizing Pennsylvania’s licensure system by streamlining portability for qualifying PAs, reducing redundant licensing applications and wait times, and making it easier for clinicians to practice across state lines and deliver telemedicine services to patients throughout the Pennsylvania.
House Bill 1972 strengthens oversight of the public adjuster profession and bolsters safeguards for homeowners by revising key definitions in the Public Adjuster Licensing Law, tightening licensure requirements, expanding mandatory written disclosures of financial interests, updating bond and fee provisions, adding targeted prohibitions and pre-contract disclosure requirements, and revising contract and license revocation provisions to better protect policyholders from conflicts of interest and excessive commission practices.
“With H.B. 1961 and H.B. 1972 now law, Pennsylvania is meeting today’s realities head-on,” Merski said. “We’re modernizing licensure so top physician assistants can more easily practice here and expand telemedicine access, and we’re bringing needed clarity and accountability to the public adjuster profession so homeowners get fair, transparent help when recovering from property loss.”
Merski noted the reforms were developed with input from regulators, consumer advocates, industry representatives and healthcare stakeholders to ensure they are practical, enforceable and responsive to community needs.
“We listened to the people who deliver care and handle claims, the officials who enforce the rules, and the families who rely on clear information,” he said. “The result is a balanced approach that expands access to care, strengthens continuity across state lines, and protects consumers while preserving honest, professional service.”