Video & Transcript : 'pharmacy school' :
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TX
Texas 89th 2nd C.S.
Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII Feb 25th, 2025
Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII
Transcript Highlights:
- of nursing, and all of those approved schools were in Florida.
- outside of a Texas school must have substantially equivalent education.
- Or education like the schools. Um, tuition, like to go to school.
- Members, we're moving on to the Board of Pharmacy.
- , 44,400 pharmacists and pharmacist interns, and 77,800 pharmacy technicians and pharmacy technician
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 3/11/25
Human Services Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- The next item we're going to discuss is pharmacy payments through the Medicaid Program, in particular
- The next item we're going to discuss is pharmacy payments through the Medicaid Program, in particular
- The next item we're going to discuss is pharmacy payments through the Medicaid Program, in particular
- We have a pharmacy carve-out, which would take pharmacy claims out of the managed care contracts, and
- The pharmacy carve-out would take pharmacy claims out of the managed care contracts, and it would be
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
CPC Public Hearing - Tue Feb 11, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Consumer Protection & Commerce
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:44:50.000><c> psychologists</c> level whereas most School psychologists level whereas most School
- </c><01:03:53.359><c> and</c> or just too far from our schools and or just too far from our schools and
- accessibility to school work and other accessibility to school work and other resources<01:13:11.280>
- </c><01:13:21.960><c> my</c> is in walking distance to my school my is in walking distance to my school
- </c><01:50:35.639><c> to</c> entities that use contract pharmacies to entities that use contract pharmacies
Summary:
The committees heard testimony on several transportation and consumer-related bills. HB 496, relating to mamaki tea labeling, drew support from the Department of Agriculture, the Department of Weights and Measures, and the Hawaii Farm Bureau, which said the bill would help protect a culturally important crop and the Hawaii brand. Members questioned Agriculture about staffing and whether the bill was being used to reopen a package-labeling inspection branch; the department said it currently has no Oahu inspectors for that function but has a place for an additional inspector. No opposition was registered on the measure.
HB 978, relating to electric utilities, and HB 1316, relating to DLNR/park reservations, were also heard. HB 1316 received support from State Parks, and members discussed where reservation fees would go and whether the statewide reservation system for three parks would cover its costs; the committee indicated a change would be made so fees go to the special fund. HB 914, relating to water carriers, drew support or comments from the PUC, Department of Agriculture, Department of Transportation, Young Brothers, and the Hawaii Harbor Users Group. The main discussion focused on the proposed automatic rate-adjustment mechanism tied to the GDP price index, with members asking for alternative index ideas and questioning whether the PUC already had authority to adopt such a mechanism. Young Brothers said the measure would provide clarity and help recover inflationary costs, while the chair raised concerns about repeated rate increases and asked for further testimony on possible alternative indices.
HB 1161, relating to transportation and road usage charges, received support from the Insurance Division, DOT, and the State Energy Office, with comments from the Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Hawaii Food Industry Association. Members asked whether counties need state authorization to adopt mileage-based charges and why the bill included funding for implementation; DOT said it is helping counties build the data collection and billing system and that Honolulu is handling much of the collection work. A question was also raised about whether plug-in hybrids would be covered, and DOT said vehicles under the federal electric-vehicle definition would be included. HB 1301, relating to transportation network companies, drew opposition from the Hawaii Association for Justice, Lyft, and Uber, all arguing that classifying TNCs as common carriers and changing liability rules would raise costs, reduce access, and disrupt the current statewide framework. No votes or final committee actions were taken in the portion of the meeting provided.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII Feb 25th, 2025
Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII
Transcript Highlights:
- of nursing and all of those approved schools were in Florida.
- Did they touch a patient when they were in nursing school?
- outside of a Texas school must have substantially equivalent education. to someone who completed a school
- Education, like the schools? Tuition, like to go to school?
- Board of Pharmacy, no one wanted to come testify.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 19th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Like how we get to and from work or school.
- And they've been limited to one specific pharmacy, not type of pharmacy, one specific.
- The contract pharmacy restrictions.
- With more pharmacies in the areas that they serve.
- It protected school children and public health.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- HB 2377, school district attendance; Education. HB 2378, school; Education.
- HB 2637, school districts accreditation. HB 2638, school mental health professional.
- HB 2316, middle school student CTE. HB 2320, school districts. HB 2321, DECS credit free.
- school district gubernate, 2381 school districts development, 2385 school district's employment contract
- , 2386 school district superintendent, 2387 school district employee prohibited, 2389 replacement units
Summary:
The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and approval of the journal. Members then introduced the Doctor of the Day, Dr. John Lynch, and recognized several guest groups in the gallery, including Arizona electric co-op representatives, March of Dimes participants, CRNAs, AEA retirees, a University of Arizona legislative fellow, and ACLU visitors. Attendance was recorded at 58 present, one absent, and one excused.
The chamber handled routine floor business, including temporary committee replacements, referral of HB 2677 from Judiciary to Public Safety and Law Enforcement, and the first reading and referral of a large number of House bills and one concurrent resolution. The bill list covered a wide range of topics, including education, appropriations, housing, taxes, health care, public safety, energy, water, labor, elections, and several measures related to abortion, firearms, and tribal affairs. Second reading of bills was also announced for another extensive set of measures.
During announcements, members promoted a blood drive, a Veterans Caucus coffee-and-donuts event and lunch with a Department of Defense speaker, and several committee meetings or cancellations. No substantive debate or votes on legislation occurred beyond the procedural motions and the final motion to adjourn. The House adjourned until 10 a.m. on Thursday, January 22, 2026.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Financial Services Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am
Joint Committee on Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- Four days later, I received a message asking me to send it to a different large pharmacy chain because
- the initial pharmacy was not in their network.
- As pharmacy networks tighten, medication costs balloon, and pharmacy deserts expand, allowing Massachusetts
- I'm sure you're all aware that pharmacies are closing throughout the state of the Commonwealth.
- . costs, and it helps keep patients productive and kids in school.
Summary:
The committee held a public hearing with testimony on several health care bills, with most of the discussion focused on primary care access, community health center reimbursement, midwifery and birth centers, telehealth, hospital-at-home, direct primary care, and trans-inclusive health care access. Chair Feeney and Chair Murphy opened by noting the large number of signups and asking testifiers to keep remarks brief because of time constraints. Legislators and witnesses repeatedly emphasized that Massachusetts’ primary care system is under strain and that federal policy changes and reimbursement gaps are worsening financial pressure on providers.
On community health centers, Representative Blay, Senator Lovely, Michael Curry, Bethany Keeley, Jag Deep Trevetti, Sean Cahill, and Christina Severin all supported H. 1096/S. 711, which would require commercial insurers to pay federally qualified health centers at least the MassHealth prospective payment system rate. They argued that commercial plans currently reimburse health centers below Medicaid rates, threatening sustainability, staffing, and access, especially as federal cuts and coverage losses could increase uncompensated care. Testifiers said the bill would stabilize health centers, protect primary care access, and not cost the state money.
A second major topic was H. 1117/S. 784 on sustaining birth centers and the midwifery workforce. Senator Lovely, Senator Miranda, Emily Anesta, Rebecca Orden, Catherine Rushworth, Nishira Burrill, Joel Sutherland, Rachel Blessington, Joelle Ward, and others described the 2024 maternal health omnibus as an important first step, but said birth centers and midwives still face low reimbursement, workforce shortages, and financial instability. They urged reimbursement parity, a workforce development fund, and support for freestanding birth centers, citing improved outcomes, lower C-section rates, better patient experience, and racial equity in maternal health. Several speakers shared personal birth stories and said the bill would help preserve and expand birth options in communities like Roxbury, Worcester, and the North Shore.
The committee also heard support for H. 1343 on direct primary care from Dr. Garofalo, Dr. Altman, Dr. Nair, Stephanie Cameron, Dr. Haley Moke-Blessed, and others, who said current insurance rules force patients to use a separate in-network primary care doctor for referrals and sometimes prevent physicians from dispensing medications. They argued the bill would reduce delays, administrative burden, and costs while improving continuity of care. In addition, Dr. Miklides and Sue Stempeck supported H. 1141 on hospital-at-home parity, saying the model has strong outcomes and should be reimbursed at the same rate as brick-and-mortar hospital care. Heather Myers and Katrina Cook testified on telehealth and digital health equity, urging broader coverage for asynchronous care, remote monitoring, interpreter services, and digital literacy supports. SEIU Local 509 supported H. 1188/S. 681 on trans-inclusive health care access, saying it would remove arbitrary insurance barriers to gender-affirming care. No votes or committee actions were taken during the hearing.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
- And I don't know what the school is like. They can watch this. Yeah, right. Yeah.
- There is ample precedent for pharmacy benefit coverage of injectable PrEP.
- They shift costs to the ER visits, hospitals, missed school, work, and emotional trauma.
- A few dollars saved on the pharmacy line, but much more spent on the hospital line.
- As federal uncertainty continues, Ph.D. program funding has been compromised in my school.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- We have a portion of this amendment that prohibits the charter school under a school improvement plan
- As provisions relating to small private schools that exempt such schools from zoning or land use changes
- It is, in fact, an expansion of the school bus camera system for charter schools and private schools.
- It is, in fact, an expansion of the school bus camera system for charter schools and private schools.
- We didn't really talk a lot about the school ...the camera systems, red light, school zone.
Summary:
The Senate convened with a quorum, opening with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a series of recognitions for interns, staff, and guests. Members also honored a retiring Senate staffer and a wounded veteran, then moved into returning House messages and special order bills. Several measures were taken up and either concurred in or sent back to the House, with multiple unanimous or near-unanimous votes on noncontroversial bills.
Among the bills addressed were SB 118 on recreational vehicle park assessments, SB 572 on ethics for public officers and employees, and HB 991 on election integrity. SB 118 and SB 572 were amended to reflect House changes and passed 38-0. HB 991 drew extensive debate over voter registration and identification requirements, with opponents arguing it would burden students, seniors, disabled voters, and others, while supporters said it would strengthen election security and streamline verification; it passed 27-12. The chamber also approved bills on historic cemeteries, chickee regulation, habitual traffic offender designation, military affairs, and a Department of Health package.
The Department of Health bill (SB 902/HB 733) was the subject of detailed amendment work, including changes to medical marijuana rules, NICU educational materials, Early Steps, dental loan repayment, and pediatric trauma center designation. The Senate adopted an amendment to the amendment and then passed the bill 37-0. Other measures included a funeral services bill, which the Senate refused to concur in because the House strike-all would redefine cremation to include composting, and a veterans-related bill that was temporarily postponed. The Senate also recessed briefly, then returned to continue the calendar and additional recognitions.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Health Committee Apr 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Additionally, it is not uncommon for patients receiving medications via mail-order pharmacies to be left
- Ensuring that patients can obtain syringes without a prescription at a community pharmacy, along with
- We studied counties that had safe and legal access to syringes at pharmacies versus those that didn't
- And I think this is a big piece of this, is both pharmacy sales as well as syringe service program sales
- Additionally, AB 594 would require schools to inform their students of any year-to-year increases to
Summary:
The Assembly Health Committee met on April 8 and heard a long series of bills, beginning with AB 54 on medication abortion access. The author and supporters, including the Attorney General’s office and reproductive justice advocates, said the bill would protect California’s medication abortion supply chain and shield providers and manufacturers from civil, criminal, and professional liability. Opponents from the California Family Council argued the bill removes safeguards and increases risks. The bill was moved forward on a committee motion.
The committee then heard several reproductive and public health measures, including AB 551 to create a pilot program supporting emergency departments in providing reproductive health services, AB 260 to protect medication abortion access and telehealth, AB 309 to remove sunset dates on laws allowing pharmacy syringe sales and lawful possession of sterile syringes, AB 536 to preserve colorectal cancer screening coverage if federal guidelines are challenged, AB 804 to make housing support services a Medi-Cal benefit, AB 594 to address student health insurance billing and transparency, AB 836 to study and expand the midwifery workforce, AB 1418 to collect data on health coverage for eligible employees, and AB 1500 to maintain and expand the abortion.ca.gov information site. Supporters emphasized access, preventive care, workforce shortages, and public health benefits, while opponents raised concerns about abortion, syringe distribution, and the focus of state resources. Most measures were advanced by committee vote, with roll calls showing broad support and a few no votes from members on some bills.
The final bill discussed in the transcript was AB 1037, which would update substance use disorder laws to reflect evidence-based, harm-reduction approaches and remove barriers to treatment. The author and supporters described it as a compassionate response to overdose and treatment access problems, while law enforcement opposition argued it would encourage drug use and endanger communities. The transcript cuts off during testimony on AB 1037, so no final committee action on that bill is shown in the provided text.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
House of Representitives Mar 9th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- in school activities, 363.
- House Bill by Representative Chenevere, charter schools, charter school funding, 386. Education.
- by the Board of Pharmacy.
- and middle schools.
- and middle schools.
Summary:
The House convened with a quorum, received and accepted multiple resignation notices from members representing Districts 37, 39, 60, 69, 97, and 100, and then recognized the election and qualification of the members-elect who filled those vacancies: Doyle Boudreau, Reese Broussard, Chasity Verrett-Martinez, and Edwin Murray. Each member-elect was sworn in, and the House also appointed committees to notify the Senate and the governor that it was ready to conduct business for the 2026 regular session.
The chamber then handled a large number of procedural actions related to prefiled legislation. By motion and without objection, the House suspended rules to refer prefile bills to committee and introduced a broad slate of House bills and resolutions. Topics included the state budget and appropriations, retirement system changes, carbon capture and sequestration, criminal justice and bail, public safety, education, health care, local government matters, transportation, and several memorial or commemorative resolutions. Several resolutions and bills were noted as lying over, and some prefiled bills were withdrawn from the files.
The House also received a Senate message that SCR 1 had been adopted, and the resolution was taken up without objection. The chamber then recessed for a joint session with the Senate to hear the governor’s address and a presentation honoring Technical Sergeant Adam W. Brister with the Distinguished Flying Cross. In his remarks, Governor Jeff Landry highlighted his administration’s priorities, including education, tax reform, workforce development, health and nutrition, insurance reform, transportation infrastructure, fiscal discipline, and criminal justice reform, while urging support for his agenda and several related bills and constitutional amendments.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- HCR 2034, schools. HCR 2027, in-state student. HCR 2034, schools. Education.
- HB 2377, school district's room. HB 2380, school facility. HB 2384, school district's requirements.
- HB 2637, school districts. HB 2638, school mental health. HB 2644, voteable housing.
- HB 2883, small school adjustment. HB 2885, cultural impact.
- HB 2013, pharmacy benefits.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 1 on Health Mar 17th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- , and increases in pharmacy costs.
- or a school-linked setting.
- Health to provide specialty mental health to schools within Fresno County.
- Sierra Cook with San Diego Unified School District.
- Sierra Cook with San Diego Unified School District.
Summary:
The committee heard a budget oversight hearing on the Department of Health Care Services, focusing first on the overall Medi-Cal budget and a March General Fund loan to cover a current-year shortfall. DHCS said the 2025-26 budget proposal totals $193.4 billion, with Medi-Cal projected at $188.1 billion total funds and $42.1 billion General Fund, driven by higher enrollment, pharmacy costs, managed care growth, and costs tied to eligibility expansions and the COVID-era redetermination unwinding. The department said the $3.44 billion loan was needed to manage cash flow and ensure timely payments to providers and plans, while the LAO noted Medi-Cal’s cash-basis budgeting creates volatility and that more detailed estimates would come with the May Revision. Members discussed federal Medicaid threats, the need for transparency on cost drivers, and the impact of pharmacy spending, long-term care, and immigration-related coverage expansions.
The second major topic was family health programs, including California Children’s Services, the continuous coverage unwinding, and opioid settlement fund spending. DHCS described CCS funding methodology changes, ongoing county stakeholder work, and a delayed rollout of CCS monitoring and oversight until July 1, 2025, while county representatives and advocates argued the program is underfunded and asked for more technical assistance and a delay in implementation. On the unwinding, the department explained that federal redetermination flexibilities helped maintain coverage after the pandemic, but the Governor’s budget proposes ending them at the end of June 2025; advocates urged making the flexibilities permanent to avoid coverage losses. For opioid settlement funds, DHCS and Finance said the budget increases funding for naloxone distribution while reducing other harm-reduction spending based on updated settlement revenues, prompting criticism from members and public commenters who argued the change would weaken effective harm-reduction programs.
The hearing also included an update on Proposition 35 implementation. DHCS said the voter-approved measure continuously appropriates MCO tax revenues beginning in 2025, with up to $4.6 billion annually available for specified Medi-Cal and provider investments in 2025 and 2026, but implementation depends on consultation with the required stakeholder advisory committee. The department and LAO noted uncertainty about future federal rules affecting the MCO tax after 2026. Public testimony largely supported maintaining Medi-Cal expansions, protecting immigrant coverage, preserving harm-reduction funding, and increasing support for community health workers, pediatric dental care, and CCS county administration. No votes were taken during the portion of the hearing provided.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session Feb 13th, 2026
Washington House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- rural school districts.
- or a chair through a school window.
- That's school property, so that's okay.
- school.
- If you are experiencing... ...belong in a school, that they want to come to school.
Bills:
HB1160, HB1289, HB1339, HB1798, HB1065, HB1795, HB2113, HB2124, HB2125, HB2134, HB2140, HB2185, HB2191, HB2205, HB2211, HB2219, HB2245, HB2253, HB2283, HB2343, HB2406, HB2501, HB2574, HB1170, HB1544, HB1834, HB2156, HB2188, HB2206, HB2471, HB2478, HB2605, HJM4012, HB1104, HB1152, HB1254, HB1443, HB1903, HB1941, HB1982, HB2006, HB2034, HB2105, HB2179, HB2203, HB2297, HB2303, HB2322, HB2329, HB2345, HB2350, HB2379, HB2388, HB2399, HB2418, HB2462, HB2464, HB2495, HB2539, HB2544, HB2551, HB2554, HB2588, HB2636, HB1128, HB1408, HB1570, HB1742, HB1823, HB2089, HB2104, HB2114, HB2172, HB2192, HB2207, HB2251, HB2262, HB2266, HB2294, HB2298, HB2319, HB2320, HB2323, HB2351, HB2354, HB2374, HB2401, HB2405, HB2429, HB2431, HB2442, HB2451, HB2479, HB2496, HB2515, HB2523, HB2540, HB2593, HB2632, HB2661, HB1496, HB1898, HB2095, HB2157, HB2225, HB2274, HB2311, HB2325, HB2333, HB2476, HB2508, HB2552
Keywords:
design review, local government, land use, zoning, project permits, housing density, middle housing, affordable housing, parking minimums, single-family zoning, infill development, growth management, comprehensive plan, permit streamlining, objective development regulations, architectural review, administrative review, transit-oriented development, accessory dwelling units, ADU
Summary:
The House convened with a quorum, recited the Pledge of Allegiance, heard a prayer, and received a Senate message that the Senate had passed second substitute Senate Bill 5061. The chamber then moved through second- and third-reading action on several bills, with debate centered on salmon treaty history, cannabis cooperative rules, inmate commissary and legal financial obligations, collective bargaining protections, and school restraint/isolation policy. Members also took up a bill to adjust Paid Family and Medical Leave funding to address a projected $30 million tax liability, and later reconsidered one education bill after initial passage.
House Bill 2554, dealing with repeal of RCW 77.110 and salmon-related history and tribal treaty issues, saw a proposed striking amendment from Representative Walsh that was rejected on a voice vote. The bill then passed 64-28. Engrossed House Bill 1941, authorizing cannabis producer cooperatives, adopted an amendment limiting any one entity to 30% market share in a co-op; a second amendment adding guardrails was rejected. The bill passed 66-27. Substitute House Bill 2539, raising the indigency commissary threshold from $25 to $100 for incarcerated people, passed 57-36 after debate over inmate needs versus victim and child-support concerns. Engrossed Substitute House Bill 2471, a trigger bill creating state collective bargaining protections if the federal NLRB is weakened, adopted an amendment clarifying agricultural coverage and then passed 58-35.
The most extensive debate was on Engrossed Substitute House Bill 1795, which would phase out isolation and restrict certain restraint practices in schools. Members adopted amendments adding professional development intent language, expanding reporting to authorized entities and out-of-state placements, and clarifying positive behavior intervention planning; several other amendments on parental consent, property damage, and isolation-room definitions were rejected. Supporters emphasized student safety, trauma reduction, and de-escalation, while opponents argued the bill removed useful tools from educators and was premature without broader training. The bill initially passed 58-36, then the House reconsidered it and passed it again 57-37. Second Substitute House Bill 2345, which reallocated Paid Family and Medical Leave premium shares to avoid a $30 million tax cost, passed unanimously 94-0. The House then recessed for caucus after placing additional bills on the second-reading calendar.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- High School.
- very fortunate that my high school is a direct admissions high school.
- and the school power in the school and the school counselors<01:06:52.279><c> it</c><01:06:52.359><c
- So that's the first school year. Going forward, 20 hours per school year.
- So, 40 hours the first school year, 20 hours in following school years.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- I graduated from Holy Cross High School, top of my class.
- Nick Cahan, Professional Arts Pharmacy, president, in support, do not wish to speak.
- Nick Waltz, Louisiana Compound Pharmacy Coalition.
- Rachel Grosafco, Louisiana Compound Pharmacy Coalition.
- Louisiana Compound Pharmacy Coalition.
Keywords:
informed consent, healthcare, medical procedures, patient rights, surgeon general, regulatory review, adult residential care, generators, emergency power, health safety, Louisiana Department of Health, compliance, regulations, child welfare, Department of Children and Family Services, mandatory reporting, abuse prevention, investigative teams, child ombudsman, forensic interviews
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health Finance and Policy Committee 2/10/25
Health Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- It means clean water, strong schools, meaningful work, community connectedness, access to health care
- The next proposal is related to the pharmacy carveout.
- carveout uh currently the pharmacy carveout uh currently Pharmacy<01:14:26.520><c> is</c><01:14:26.719
- </c> the 340b program so by carving Pharmacy the 340b program so by carving Pharmacy out<01:15:29.840
- </c><01:37:03.320><c> through</c> that when we run our Pharmacy through that when we run our Pharmacy
VA
Transcript Highlights:
- He also was the first Black head coach in all of Virginia Beach public schools at Green Run High School
- The Senate of Virginia related to the Department of Education and public schools' use of school-issued
- and school divisions.
- I remember when I was in pharmacy school in 1986, we were getting a lot of people not going into labor
- Now we come to House Bill 410, which relates to school boards, participation, SAT School Day program
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE Feb 19th, 2026
ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE
Transcript Highlights:
- They provide vocational training components: certified clinical medical assistant, certified pharmacy
- instruction, career and technical education, including certified nursing assistance, medical aid, pharmacy
- tech, Certified nursing assistants, medical aide, pharmacy tech, heavy equipment, and other programs
- So being in school or college at least half time makes you compliant with the work requirement for SNAP
- Who's in school, who, you know, who is disabled, and all of those things.
Summary:
The subcommittee received a brief DHS update on the Living Choices Assisted Living Waiver reimbursement rate process, with Secretary Janet Mann reporting that the new cost reporting period began in January and that DHS has begun provider and contractor conference calls as the process moves forward.
The bulk of the meeting focused on DHS’s overview of TANF and, especially, SNAP changes under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill. Mary Franklin explained new SNAP work requirements for adults ages 18 to 64 who are not otherwise exempt, including the three-month time limit in a 36-month period unless they meet an 80-hour monthly work, volunteer, education, or training requirement. She also reviewed exemptions, noted that some prior exemptions were removed while new tribal-related exemptions were added, and described SNAP Employment and Training providers, budgets, service areas, participant characteristics, and outcomes. Members asked about how mandatory referrals will work, whether funding and vendors are sufficient, how cross-program participation is tracked, how verification and recertification will be handled, and how error rates and sanctions will be managed. DHS said mandatory participants will be referred directly to providers, verification will occur at application and recertification, interviews can be by phone, and the department will return with more information on error-rate mitigation and other requested data.
DHS then outlined upcoming Medicaid community engagement requirements for the ARHOME population under the same federal law, which must be implemented by January 1, 2027. The department said it is preparing policy, system changes, data matching, communications, and an outbound customer-service verification process, with a soft launch planned for July to help identify who would meet the requirement or need to provide more information. Members raised concerns about notice, local versus centralized decision-making, and how clients will document work, school, caregiving, or medical exemptions. The meeting concluded with broader discussion of the Alliance for Opportunity audit and a shared emphasis on using SNAP, Medicaid, TANF, and workforce programs together to improve outcomes, expand training options, and better connect Arkansans to education and employment opportunities. The committee also discussed extending the audit contract at a future meeting and adjourned without taking any formal vote in the transcript provided.
AR
Arkansas 2026 Regular Session
ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE Feb 19th, 2026
ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE
Transcript Highlights:
- They provide vocational training components: certified clinical medical assistant, certified pharmacy
- instruction, career and technical education, including certified nursing assistance, medical aid, pharmacy
- tech, Certified nursing assistants, medical aid, pharmacy tech, heavy equipment, and other programs
- were no mandatory participants in 2024. 36.61%, or 1,962 of those individuals, had received a high school
- Who's in school, who is disabled, and all of those things, we would verify that status as we make the