Video & Transcript : 'negotiation' :

Page 101 of 367
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • We are negotiating with the author's office and with the sponsors, though. ...of state funding.
  • We are negotiating with the author's office and with the sponsors.
  • There's no dialogue or negotiation that has to happen because in that case, which is uncommon, they are
  • Recently, we negotiated a contract with the UC successfully, avoiding a strike, and I would say I stand
  • We're ready to talk and negotiate and, like, save science and bring money for that, but generally open
Summary: The committee heard SB 1135, which would reestablish the California Wildlife Coexistence Program to reduce human-wildlife conflict through nonlethal strategies such as deterrents, conflict reporting, and outreach. The author and supporters said the program had been effective but lost funding in 2024, and they argued it would help communities, ranchers, and wildlife by preventing conflicts before they escalate. Support came from conservation, animal welfare, local government, and county groups, while the California Cattlemen’s Association and California Farm Bureau opposed unless amended, saying the bill needed clearer limits on when nonlethal measures are practicable and protections so compensation funds for livestock losses are not reduced. Members discussed wolf-livestock conflicts, compensation, and the need for continued collaboration. The committee voted 2-0 on call to send the bill to Appropriations. The committee then heard SB 1085, which would preserve water supply assessments for large housing and development projects even when those projects are exempt from CEQA. The author and sponsor EBMUD said the bill is needed to keep water planning tied to land-use planning and avoid “paper water” problems, especially as climate and drought conditions worsen. Supporters included water agencies, environmental groups, labor, and local governments. The California Building Industry Association opposed the bill, arguing that current law already requires verified water supplies, that the bill could add unnecessary process and litigation risk, and that it could slow housing production. Members raised concerns about duplication in cities that also operate their own water systems, but the author said the goal was better coordination, not more bureaucracy. The committee voted 4-1 on call to send the bill to Local Government. The committee also heard SB 1270, which would expand the state wildfire mitigation home-hardening pilot to the top 10 counties by wildfire risk and social vulnerability, adding Riverside, Calaveras, Los Angeles, and Tehama counties and prioritizing future funds for those areas. The author said the bill responds to recent destructive fires and aims to extend home-hardening assistance to more high-risk communities. There was no opposition, and members discussed how to scale funding, whether the program should be broader than the listed counties, and how to focus on cost-effective mitigation. The committee voted 5-0 on call to send the bill to Emergency Management. Finally, the committee heard SB 895, a major science funding measure that would place a $23 billion bond on the ballot and create a California Foundation for Science and Health Research to support research in the state. The author and supporters said California’s research sector is a major economic engine and that federal funding cuts and instability threaten jobs, talent retention, and scientific progress. There was broad support from UC, CSU, labor, health, and research organizations, with no formal opposition. Some members raised concerns about the role of sponsoring unions and the potential for politicization, but the author said the new foundation would operate under California law and that the measure is meant to protect science funding and collaboration. The committee discussion continued, but the transcript excerpt ends before a final vote on SB 895.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • The bill is a result of years of negotiations, learning, and...
  • The bill is a result of years of negotiations, learning, and deeper understanding.
  • Both organizations were active participants in the negotiations that led to SB 54, and we certainly remain
  • Both organizations were active participants in the negotiations. amendment on SB 1180.
  • Both organizations were active participants in the negotiations that led to SB 54, and we certainly remain
Summary: The committee heard several bills focused on environmental quality, climate planning, transparency, water affordability, plastics, recycling, and refinery transition planning. SB 1087, by Senator Cabaldon, would modernize SB 375 regional climate and transportation planning by extending planning cycles, clarifying target-setting and review processes, and reducing time and cost burdens; metropolitan planning organizations strongly supported it, while environmental groups and industry raised concerns about VMT, GHG metrics, CEQA, and implementation details. Committee members generally agreed the process is too costly and complex, but urged the author to keep the bill focused on simpler, less expensive planning and better progress reporting. The bill was moved as amended to Senate Transportation and kept on call. SB 1239, by Senator Jones, would require CARB to update its standardized regulatory impact assessment when a major regulation is materially changed; supporters framed it as a transparency and affordability measure, while the chair argued it could slow rulemaking and discourage agencies from incorporating public feedback. The bill failed on the committee vote and was kept on call. SB 1125, by Senator Menjivar, would create a statewide low-income water rate assistance program, contingent on funding, to help households facing rising water bills; public water agencies, environmental justice groups, local governments, and community members from rural areas testified in support, emphasizing affordability and the lack of statewide assistance. The chair and members expressed support for the need for such a program, and the bill passed 3-1 and was kept on call. SB 1180, by Senator Allen, would establish implementation rules for the plastic pollution mitigation fund created by SB 54, including eligibility, reporting, transparency, and technical assistance for smaller organizations and tribes; environmental justice, conservation, and local government groups supported it, while producer and industry groups opposed unless amended, seeking tighter links to measurable mitigation outcomes and the covered products under SB 54. The bill passed 3-0 and was kept on call. SB 1161, by Senator Valadares, would require CARB to provide clearer, plain-language economic analysis of regulations and their impacts on households; supporters described it as a transparency and affordability measure, while some environmental groups offered respectful or qualified opposition. The chair said she could support it as amended, and the bill passed 4-0 and was kept on call. The committee also heard SB 955, by Senator Blakespear, to update California’s beverage container recycling program so major sellers participate and consumers have convenient return options; supporters said it would improve redemption access and program effectiveness, and the bill passed 5-0 and was kept on call. Finally, SB 1259, also by Senator Blakespear, would require refineries to provide earlier disclosure of cleanup liabilities and closure planning information so the state and communities can plan for refinery site remediation and reuse; the author framed it as a transparency and transition-planning measure, and testimony began in support as the transcript ended.
ID

Idaho 2026 Regular Session

Mar 19th, 2026

Health and Welfare

Transcript Highlights:
  • This was supposedly gone through and negotiated and talked to, and now all of a sudden have you talked
  • So what you just said is that this change was negotiated with all the parties involved to make it work
  • And that negotiation was done in good faith.
  • And now that we're sitting in front of it here, you are now going to change it without negotiating with
  • all due respect to my colleague, express extreme disappointment because there's been good-faith negotiations
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Jul 22nd, 2025

Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • Your 18... high volume products really could be targeted for specific negotiation and purchasing of those
  • very difficult for you to do that, and you certainly don't want every single managed care plan negotiating
  • so broadly dispersed is doing for the state is it's affecting your competitive positioning for negotiation
  • And so, if somehow we — is the only solution increasing our negotiating Power?
  • And then that allows them to negotiate and to manage populations separately.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • the testimony of Aaron and appreciate the fact that he brought up that the mineral rights aren't negotiable
  • As much as mining of those lands would be great to get to, I don't know how we would negotiate for those
  • /c><00:13:57.199><c> how</c><00:13:57.320><c> we</c><00:13:57.399><c> would</c><00:13:57.639><c> negotiate
  • </c><00:13:58.079><c> for</c> don't know how we would negotiate for don't know how we would negotiate
Summary: The committee took up HF 1425, which would prohibit the sale of state-owned school trust lands in the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness to the federal government and instead require a land trade. Representative Skraba argued the federal wilderness law requires an exchange, not a sale, and said the state should trade Boundary Waters school trust lands for federal lands elsewhere, citing potential benefits for logging, mining, and school trust revenue. He said the current proposed sale price was too low and moved to lay the bill over for possible inclusion in a future bill. Later, he withdrew a DE1 amendment and instead moved to re-refer the bill to the Education Finance Committee, but that motion failed. Testimony was largely opposed to the bill. Aaron Vandal of the Office of School Trust Lands said the exchange option was no longer viable, that the lands have produced no revenue for education for decades, and that selling them is the trust’s last opportunity to generate returns for schoolchildren. Bob Meyer of the DNR supported Vandal’s position and said the agency could not negotiate mineral rights in the way suggested. Aon Clems of the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy and Amanda Hefner of Save the Boundary Waters both opposed HF 1425, though they emphasized different reasons: Clems argued a sale best fulfills the state’s fiduciary duty to maximize long-term returns for education, while Hefner said a sale would harm public education funding, align with the trust’s original purpose, and help consolidate federal ownership in the wilderness. Members then questioned the valuation and the practical differences between a sale and an exchange. Representative Jacob challenged the low per-acre price and asked about the federal government’s set-aside amount, while Representative Fischer asked how the appraisal was determined. DNR lands and minerals director Joe Henderson explained the valuation came from an independent appraiser, was based on the wilderness restrictions and lack of development potential, and was from a 2020 appraisal that is now being updated. Representative Schultz supported the sale approach and said the state should not transfer the land at such a low price. The committee did not advance the bill to the Education Finance Committee.
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • These included VA senior-level personnel decisions and involvement in negotiations for the VA electronic
  • Contentious on negotiating the agreements, but they're really worth it to expand and extend VA health
  • that the states across this country and the VA is providing that care is something that is non-negotiable
  • That is, you know, frankly, a non-negotiable.
  • We're going to, Senator, that's a non-negotiable. We're going to fight for a strong VA.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Commerce May 18th, 2026

Commerce, Consumer Protection, and International Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • professional or occupational licensing boards, to provide relative to licensees, to provide relative to negotiations
  • fees, to provide relative to certain offers of judgments, to provide relative to consent order negotiations
  • professional or occupational licensing boards, to provide relative to licensees, to provide relative to negotiations
  • fees, to provide relative to certain offers of judgments, to provide relative to consent order negotiations
  • fees, to provide relative to certain offers of judgments, to provide relative to consent order negotiations
Summary: The House Committee on Commerce met on May 18, 2026, with a quorum present and the chair noting it was the committee’s last meeting of the session. The committee first considered Senate Bill 254, which would prohibit certain excess debit card surcharges and authorize enforcement by the Attorney General. After adopting technical amendments and a committee amendment requiring written notice before a private right of action, the bill was reported favorably as amended. The committee then took up Senate Bill 80 on broadband administration fees and GUMBO program closeout. Members questioned the proposed increase in administrative and contractor fees, the timing of project completion, and how withheld reimbursements would work for utility damage. After adopting several amendments, including cleanup language and a provision to restore the reimbursement process, the bill was reported favorably as amended, though the Louisiana Telecommunications Association voiced concerns about the withholding language and lack of a clearer fault-determination process. The committee next considered Senate Bill 469, updating the Louisiana Underground Utilities and Facilities Damage Prevention Law. Technical amendments were adopted, along with amendments clarifying that the bill’s 30-day notice to utility owner-operators is separate from existing GUMBO notice requirements and creating a rapid dispute-resolution process involving the Office of Broadband, the utility operator, and the local governing authority. Testimony from broadband and municipal stakeholders emphasized the need for quicker responses to excavation damage and better enforcement, while some witnesses raised concerns about the late amendment and the need for clearer recourse and standards. The bill was reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 468, dealing with fuel rewards programs and fuel discount limits, was also amended to allow such discounts while capping them at $1 below the advertised price; it was reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 131, concerning attorney’s fees and costs in professional licensing disciplinary proceedings, drew testimony from a cosmetology board representative and the Pelican Institute. Supporters argued the bill would curb incentives for boards to generate revenue through enforcement and give licensees a fairer opportunity to resolve cases; board testimony noted that some boards already have fee caps and that enforcement actions are relatively limited. After adopting an amendment clarifying when a licensee is the prevailing party, the bill was reported favorably as amended. Senate Bill 251 on critical infrastructure protection also received technical amendments and several substantive changes, including adding ports and airports to the definition of critical infrastructure, clarifying “significant access,” adding a knowledge requirement, and adjusting exemptions and enforcement timing; it was reported favorably as amended after testimony from State Armor representatives about foreign adversary threats. Finally, House Resolution 253 was introduced to create a task force to study how post-2005 building code additions and inspection requirements affect residential construction costs, with the sponsor explaining the goal was to gather industry input and return recommendations next session.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • additional comments other than what my colleague offered, but I would just say that as the budget negotiations
  • As the budget negotiations and process continue, we're open to conversations about additional investments
  • and process continue, we're open to conversations about additional information. is the budget negotiations
  • We're open to having conversations about continued investments as we continue through the budget negotiations
  • to continue the Wright Grant, but again, we're happy to continue that discussion through budget negotiations
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

House and Governmental Affairs Mar 18th, 2026

House and Governmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • “The State Procurement Office—this bill grants the authority to negotiate without regard to any particular
  • Basically complete freedom to negotiate with whom and how she chooses.
  • Systems, and the State Procurement Office looked at that and specifically…” “...suspended that negotiation
  • The Secretary of State will be responsible for disclosing to the public all negotiations between any
  • “The process whereby that contract was awarded, all negotiations, all communications, and, secondly,
Summary: The Committee on House and Governmental Affairs met on March 18 and first adopted the minutes from its February 21 meeting. The committee then took up HB 250, which would have narrowed financial disclosure requirements for appointed, unpaid board and commission members by exempting immediate family information. Supporters said the bill would reduce burdens and help recruit volunteers, while opponents argued it would weaken ethics enforcement and create opportunities for undisclosed conflicts of interest. After debate and a roll call, the committee deadlocked and HB 250 failed to advance on a 6-6 vote with one abstention. The committee next considered HB 576, which transfers ownership and maintenance responsibility for the Old Governor’s Mansion to the Department of State and codifies its current operational role. Secretary of State Nancy Landry and mansion staff testified in support, describing expanded programming, increased visitors, and the need to align the statute with current practice. The committee adopted technical amendments and then reported HB 576 favorably without objection. The committee also heard HB 117, which recreates the Department of State and its statutory entities through July 1, 2033, and reported it favorably without objection. The major remaining item was HB 842, the annual omnibus elections bill, which makes numerous technical and substantive changes to election law, including voter assistance for people with disabilities, absentee ballot and petition procedures, inactive voter updates, and election contest deadlines. Several members and public witnesses raised concerns about disability documentation, absentee ballot curing, witness requirements, constitutional amendment challenge deadlines, and the scope of authority given to the Secretary of State, while others said the bill clarified existing practice and improved election administration. After adopting amendments and rejecting a motion to defer, the committee reported HB 842 favorably by an 8-5 vote.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

House and Governmental Affairs Mar 18th, 2026

House and Governmental Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • The State Procurement Office, this bill grants the authority to negotiate without regard to any particular
  • Basically complete freedom to negotiate with whom and how she chooses.
  • The Secretary of State will be responsible for disclosing to the public all negotiations between any
  • process whereby that contract was awarded. ...the process whereby that contract was awarded, all negotiations
  • law she's not required to follow anyway, but we would want all of the information about those negotiations
Bills: HB117 , HB228 , HB250 , HB260 , HB393 , HB400 , HB446 , HB534 , HB551 , HB576 , HB842
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Health and Mental Health Feb 26th, 2026 at 08:00 am

Health and Mental Health

Transcript Highlights:
  • We are not involved in care plans, rate negotiations, or admission decisions.
  • That inserts families into matters they neither negotiate nor control.
  • That inserts families into matters they neither negotiate nor control.
  • it's an undue burden in the same way that I don't do medical assessments or I don't do financial negotiations
  • How do you negotiate contracts and everything else?
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Emerging Issues Feb 25th, 2026

Emerging Issues and Professional Registration

Transcript Highlights:
  • the manufacturer, has to pay the highest price, basically the full retail price, so they cannot negotiate
  • Illinois has done, and we're trying to copy Illinois law and put it into, you know, this contract negotiation
  • But like I said, I don't feel like we should be negotiating between two parties in the same industry
  • And this is like a negotiation that, you know, the company and the businesses, you know, work with.
  • All the bill in front of you does is it says above 400 parts per million, and we can negotiate if that
Summary: The committee first met in executive session and adopted House Committee Substitutes, then passed several bills by roll call vote. HCS for House Bills 1746 and 1769 was adopted and then voted do pass by 10-0. HCS for House Bill 3005 was adopted and passed 10-0 after the sponsor explained it removed a sentence requiring specific local review boards in library appeals processes. HCS for House Bills 1717 and 1643, dealing with alternative therapies, passed 7-2 with two present. HCS for House Bills 2817 and 2961 passed 8-1 with two present. HCS for House Bills 2035 and 2350 passed 10-0 with one present after a brief question about statutory citations. HCS for House Bills 1887, 2361, 1913, 2862, and 2321, a combined bill package, also passed 10-0 after members discussed digital depiction language and written victim request provisions. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 1914, which would change Missouri’s franchise law on warranty and recall reimbursement for auto dealers. Rep. David Castile presented the bill as a fairness measure, arguing manufacturers should pay dealers market-rate labor and parts reimbursement and that current warranty work often loses money for dealers and hurts service access. Supporters, including several dealers and technicians, said manufacturer time guides underpay warranty work, that the bill would help retain technicians, and that current appeal processes are cumbersome and time-consuming. They described large gaps between warranty and customer-pay labor times and said technicians often invest heavily in tools and training. Opponents, including the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, Toyota, General Motors, Ford, and business groups, argued the bill would raise costs for consumers, amount to a large increase in dealer compensation, and interfere with existing contracts. They said manufacturers already provide a process for requesting additional time, that most requests are approved, and that warranty work remains a profitable captive source of business for dealers. Several witnesses also argued the bill would not directly raise technician wages because technicians are employed by dealers, not manufacturers, and suggested broader competition or allowing independent repair shops instead. The hearing featured extensive questioning about recall versus warranty work, labor time guides, documentation requirements, and whether the legislature should be involved in these franchise disputes.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Appropriations Feb 23rd, 2026 at 04:00 pm

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • Finally, as you move into negotiations with the Senate, we ask that you accept the proposal to exempt
  • These skills have become non-negotiable in today's business environment: individual competence under
  • These skills have become non-negotiable in today's business environment: individual competence under
  • continued support of public employees in keeping all three WPEA contracts in the budget as you go into negotiations
  • House's budget proposal, so I encourage you to look at the Senate budget when you go into your negotiation
Bills: HB2289
ND
Transcript Highlights:
  • Some universities have negotiated a price as low as $1 million a year to be early partners.
  • Some universities have negotiated a price as low as $1 million a year to be early partners.
  • ...with it, but there's the realities of the legislative side, and that's what—I'm not trying to negotiate
  • way we can do that is have these two...” “...spreadsheets and other settings, and eventually you negotiate
  • whether it’s, I don’t know, return on...” “...spreadsheets and other settings, and eventually you negotiate
Summary: The Higher Education Funding Committee met to discuss possible changes to North Dakota’s higher education funding formula, with a particular focus on separating the UND School of Medicine and Health Sciences MD program from the general formula. Dr. Jenkins outlined several options for the MD program, including a fixed-funding model, a hybrid model, or keeping it in the formula, and emphasized the need to preserve strong support for medical education while making future funding clearer. He also discussed efforts to increase the share of North Dakota students in the MD program through ND85, expanded recruiting, early acceptance pathways, MCAT prep, a four-plus-one program, and the Primary Care Accelerated Track, along with future cost pressures such as AI licensing and residency growth. The committee then reviewed a simplified funding model from the University System Office that would base funding more heavily on student FTE, credentials awarded, and a few incentive factors such as small institution and research adjustments. Members questioned the use of placeholder numbers, the lack of a clear methodology for the small institution and research factors, and whether the model would adequately account for differences among institutions, high-cost programs, and graduate education. Several members raised concerns that arbitrary factors would be hard to defend politically and could distort funding or create competition between schools, while others said the exercise was useful as a starting point for discussion. Alex presented a second alternative that kept the current SIP-code structure but increased CTE weighting, added a progressive economic size factor, and separated out the MD program. His model also added an on-campus face-to-face headcount component and a credentials component, with the intent of rewarding in-person enrollment and completions. Members questioned the use of headcount instead of FTE, how hybrid, online, dual-credit, and off-campus students would be treated, and why face-to-face enrollment was weighted more heavily than completion. No formal votes or final actions were taken; the committee instead continued discussion and asked members to provide direction on which elements, if any, should be developed further.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Conference Committee on SF2298 5/17/25

Transcript Highlights:
  • Just stating publicly the state of our negotiation was to strike a few words here and have agreement
  • the state of our negotiation um was to the state of our negotiation um was to to<00:19:39.280><c> strike
  • On this point, there was not a bill this year to make these changes, but it did come up in our negotiation
  • Oh, well, no, now it's been negotiated out, and the time to act is very much in front of us. whole lesson
  • And we have missed the opportunity again because we have been negotiated, slow rolled, and kept from
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • working in partnership with their local unions because that wage progression is a requirement that we negotiated
  • That's why that's an important piece that we negotiated into a memorandum agreement with our teachers
  • That is why that's an important piece that we negotiated into a memorandum agreement with our teachers
  • That we negotiated into a memorandum agreement with our teachers union as well, so that not only compensation
  • We negotiated into a memorandum agreement with our teachers union as well, so that not only compensation
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

WAM-CPN, WAM Public Hearings 04-07-2026

Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • Chair, is that I don't know if this is something that the city will accept in terms of negotiations for
  • Chair, is that I don't know if this is something that the city will accept in terms of negotiations for
Bills: HB2583 , HB1591 , HB1749 , HB2423
Summary: The joint Ways and Means and Consumer Protection meeting was a decision-making session on a series of House bills, with no oral testimony taken. The committees first acted on HB 2583, recommending passage on amended, and HB 1591, recommending passage with amendments related to health care. They also recommended passage on amended for HB 1749 on cesspools and HB 2423 on biodiesel, with each recommendation adopted by the members present. The committees then considered a second agenda block that included HB 2080, HB 1520, HB 1576, HB 1711, HB 1785, HB 1802, HB 1838, HB 1842, HB 1853, HB 1976, HB 2104, HB 2218, HB 2246, HB 2270, HB 2289, HB 2361, HB 2551, and HB 2606. Most were recommended for passage unamended and adopted without objection. HB 1520 was deferred because the Senate bill had already crossed over. HB 1711 was amended to replace the option period established by the corporation with a period of up to 10 years. HB 2289 was amended to remove repeal of a ceiling and set a $1 million expenditure ceiling for the automated victim information and notification system special fund. Several members noted reservations on HB 1842, which involved transfer of the Westridge parcel near a rail station; concerns were raised about the property’s value, the long-term lease status, and whether the city would actually accept or pursue the transfer. HB 1853 was passed unamended, with the committee noting the Lions Association had suggestions that could be addressed later in conference. HB 2218 was passed unamended while adopting DLNR testimony to clarify collaboration with community groups in stewarding public lands and recreational areas. In each case, the stated recommendations were adopted, often with members voting no with reservation rather than in opposition.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Special Committee on Rural Issues Apr 8th, 2026

Special Committee on Rural Issues

Transcript Highlights:
  • maybe have issues with reading. ...to combat those that maybe have issues with reading and trying to negotiate
  • if we can't find the teacher... to combat those that maybe have issues with reading and trying to negotiate
AR

Arkansas 2026 Regular Session

ALC-STATE INSURANCE PROGRAMS OVERSIGHT SUBCOMMITTEE Mar 18th, 2026

ALC-STATE INSURANCE PROGRAMS OVERSIGHT SUBCOMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:
  • step back a little bit, in the process, every year, the Medicare Advantage plans have to go and negotiate
  • There's this rate negotiation that goes on, and final rates are usually set sometime in April.
Summary: The committee received an update from Grant Wallace on the rebid and possible decoupling of the state’s Medicare Advantage retiree coverage. He said the state is exploring splitting medical and pharmacy benefits for post-65 retirees, with UnitedHealthcare as the incumbent vendor, and that preliminary estimates suggested savings of about $100 to $200 per participant per month. He outlined the expected timeline for final CMS rate announcements in April 2026, with contract amendments likely to come before the committee in May or June after review by the EBD Advisory Commission and State Board of Finance. Representatives from Segal Consulting then reviewed the history and current structure of the Medicare Advantage prescription drug plan, explaining that the plan was adopted after a 2021 recommendation and launched in 2023 alongside the existing Med-Sup option. They said the Medicare Advantage option has produced substantial savings, including a lower monthly rate than the Med-Sup plan and about $40 million in savings from initial enrollment, while also restoring pharmacy benefits for some retirees. The presenters then explained recent federal changes under the Inflation Reduction Act, including major changes to Part D funding, the direct subsidy, and risk-score methodology, which they said have made risk adjustment much more important and are driving interest in separating medical and pharmacy contracts. In response to questions from senators, the presenters said the Medicare Advantage plan covers post-65 teacher and state employee retirees, including retirees from state agencies and K-12 public schools. They also explained that the new Part D structure has reduced out-of-pocket costs for members, with a $2,000 annual cap and lower average member spending to reach it, while shifting more cost to the plan. No votes were taken and no formal action was reported; the committee simply received the update and was told to expect further information after the April rate notice. The meeting adjourned with the committee scheduled to return on May 13.
AR

Arkansas 2026 Regular Session

ALC-STATE INSURANCE PROGRAMS OVERSIGHT SUBCOMMITTEE Mar 18th, 2026

ALC-STATE INSURANCE PROGRAMS OVERSIGHT SUBCOMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:
  • step back a little bit, in the process, every year, the Medicare Advantage plans have to go and negotiate
  • There's this rate negotiation that goes on and final rates are usually set sometime in April.