State regulators are working to officially end a ban that asks Pennsylvania residents about their race and ethnicity when they apply for insurance. The Pennsylvania Insurance Department has proposed lifting the ban so that state-licensed health insurers can collect the information in compliance with federal requirements that will take effect in two years. Existing state law bans such questions due to potential discrimination issues. The proposed change in the state rules is scheduled to appear soon in the Pennsylvania Bulletin, then the public has until May 15th to comment on the proposal.