Video & Transcript Research : 'physicians'
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HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HRE, HRE DEFER Public Hearing 02-04--2025 Feb 5th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Burns School of Medicine who have paid in-state tuition to serve as a physician in the State of Hawaiʻi
- Yeah, but what is our shortage in the amount of physicians that we need on a per-year basis?
- of the solutions to our physician of the solutions to our physician shortage<00:13:13.800>
is - increase our class size for Physicians increase our class size for Physicians do<00:19:57.880>
<00:31:19.519>in instate tuition to serve as physician in instate tuition to serve as physician
Summary:
The Committee on Higher Education heard Senate Bill 101, which would require University of Hawaiʻi John A. Burns School of Medicine graduates who paid in-state tuition to serve as physicians in Hawaiʻi for at least two years after residency or fellowship, beginning with the class of 2029. The Deputy Attorney General said the bill addressed a matter of statewide concern. JABSOM Dean Sam Shoemaker testified in opposition, arguing the school already uses scholarships, loan repayment, and other incentives, and that the strongest predictor of where physicians practice is where they complete residency; he said the school is working to expand residency slots, neighbor-island training, and class size. Supporters argued the state faces a severe physician shortage and should do more to ensure publicly subsidized students remain in Hawaiʻi. The committee ultimately recommended passage with amendments, including a statewide concern statement, and deferred the measure to July 31, 2025; the vote was adopted.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 19, which creates funds to establish a Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree program on Maui. University of Hawaiʻi and nursing workforce representatives testified in support, saying there is ample capacity on Maui and strong demand for higher nursing education. Members discussed the broader nursing pathway, including existing associate and bachelor’s programs at UH campuses and the need to improve access for Maui and nearby communities. The measure was moved to decision-making and adopted with amendments and a deferred date.
Senate Bill 637, appropriating funds for various University of Hawaiʻi nursing programs, also received support from UH nursing leaders, who said the funding would support the final phase of the West Oʻahu-Manoa collaboration and an online RN-to-BS program. The Hawaiʻi State Center for Nursing said its research showed capacity and demand for these programs. The committee recommended amendments to blank out appropriation amounts for the committee report and deferred the measure, then adopted it. The committee also adopted Senate Bill 741, which establishes an external audit committee within the UH Board of Regents, and deferred or amended several other measures, including a wastewater technology pilot program, a coconut rhinoceros beetle response program, and a climate-resilient development appropriation.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 31, 2025 - 04:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- You may know I'm not a fan of non-competes and things like that for physicians.
- So what's the safeguard there for the physician who did the right thing? You're recognized?
- It's not readily available to the physician if another provider is in the network or not.
- physician is in network.
- I polled physicians last week in Florida, and here's what I learned: 99% of the physicians that prescribe
Summary:
The committee took up a large health and human services agenda and first approved HB 711, the Spectrum Alert bill, which would create a statewide alert system for missing autistic children and require FDLE to coordinate training with state and local agencies. The measure drew a supportive waiver from the Florida Smart Justice Alliance and passed unanimously, 24-0, reported favorably.
Members then considered CS for HB 229 on health facilities, which modernizes the Health Facilities Authority Act to allow additional nonprofit health system structures to use tax-exempt financing. Two amendments were adopted: one requiring advance notice, public hearings, and stakeholder notifications before a nonprofit hospital closure, and another removing a property tax exemption for a nonprofit hospital that closes and fails to maintain emergency services for 120 days, applied retroactively to January 1, 2025. The Florida Hospital Association opposed the amendments, citing workforce and nonprofit-status concerns, but the bill as amended passed 24-0. The committee also approved CS for HB 1405 on juvenile justice status offenders, expanding early truancy intervention, parent involvement, and shelter placement review timelines; it passed 24-0. CS for HB 27, joining the Social Work Licensure Interstate Compact, and its linked public records bill CS for HB 29 both passed unanimously after supportive testimony from several advocacy and business groups.
The committee then debated HB 111 on out-of-network referrals and HB 1083 on patient access to records. HB 111 would require referring practitioners to inform patients in writing when a referral is out of network and to apply out-of-network payments to deductibles; it drew opposition from medical groups over administrative burden and patient-care concerns, but passed 17-8. HB 1083 would shorten the time for producing medical records to 14 working days and standardize access rules, with amendments clarifying portal access and delaying the effective date to January 1, 2026; despite opposition from some health information and provider groups over HIPAA and access concerns, it passed 19-7 as amended.
Later, the committee approved HB 883, allowing autonomous practice for psychiatric nurse practitioners with the required credentials, after strong support from nurse practitioner groups and opposition from psychiatric and medical associations; it passed 23-3. HB 1297, which aligns Florida’s electronic prescribing exceptions with federal law and removes several state exemptions, passed 19-7 despite opposition from hospice, emergency physician, rheumatology, and medical groups concerned about paper prescriptions in emergencies and hard-to-find medications. HB 1353 on home health care services and CS for HB 989 on foster home licensure transfers both passed unanimously after supportive amendments. The committee also heard HB 1505 on parental rights, which would require written parental consent for many health care services, surveys, and biofeedback devices for minors and expand parental access to records; the bill drew extensive support testimony but also questions and concerns about confidentiality, abuse reporting, and existing exceptions, and the transcript ended before a final vote on that bill.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- The definition of a physician, I'm sorry, page 4.
- right and who meets the definition of a physician.
- A physician designates his state a principal license.
- A physician can designate his state or principal license here as the state where the physician reports
- Why does a physician get to pick their state?
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health Finance and Policy Committee 4/7/25
Health Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- And 48.2% of physicians reported experiencing burnout in 2023. 20% of physicians say they are...
- And 48.2% of physicians reported experiencing burnout in 2023. 20% of physicians say they are...
- of physicians reported 48.2% of physicians reported experiencing<00:21:54.000>
burnout <00:21: - just speak to the physician. Thank you. just speak to the physician. Thank you.
- represent lots and lots of physicians represent lots and lots of physicians and<00:36:57.440>
Keywords:
health care transparency, ownership disclosure, control reporting, health care consolidation, private equity, management services organization, MSO, provider organization, health insurer, pharmacy benefit manager, hospital system, affiliate reporting, financial disclosure, public reporting, market concentration, horizontal consolidation, vertical consolidation, health care ownership, corporate practice, health care regulation
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- and an academic physician.
- We need rural physicians. Tarleton State University is essential to make that happen.
- Having the physicians in place to provide those needs is critical.
- So those databases are used to determine fair market value. for any physician.
- Those physicians are going because of supply and demand.
Bills:
HB42, HB 125, HB 1233, HB2853, HB3148, HB3326, HB3701, HB4066, HB4361, HB4762, HB4909, HB4912, HB42, HB125
Keywords:
higher education, funding, financial allocation, state budget, Texas A&M University, University of Houston, education funding, medical education, osteopathic medicine, healthcare workforce, Tarleton State University, industry-recognized credentials, workforce development, career opportunities, feasibility study, student fees, university funding, student union, education, UT El Paso
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm the representative of the Hawaii Academy of Physician Assistants.
- <00:17:55.240>
and room for growth for APRN Physicians and room for growth for APRN Physicians - within 30 minutes because the physician within 30 minutes because the physician called<01:08:02.720
- is that in California uh Physicians is that in California uh Physicians issue<01:15:08.480>
physician - bill really does seem limited to physicians, so we'll delete 'or practitioner' and just leave physicians
Summary:
The House Health Committee held its first hearing of 2025, with Chair Greg Takayama and Vice Chair Representative Leoy opening the meeting and outlining housekeeping rules, including a two-minute limit for testifiers and Zoom etiquette. The committee first heard HB 303 on health care preceptors. The Department of Health, Department of Taxation, University of Hawaiʻi, Hawaii State Center for Nursing, and several health care organizations supported the bill, saying the existing preceptor tax credit program has been successful and that expanding eligibility to additional professions and students would help address workforce shortages. In response to questions, the Department of Health said the annual tax credit cap is $1.5 million, about 650 to 670 credits are currently used each year, and the bill applies only to unpaid preceptors. The committee then moved on to HB 441, which would raise cigarette taxes. The Attorney General, Department of Health, University of Hawaiʻi Cancer Center, Hawaii Public Health Institute, American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network, and others supported the measure as a way to reduce smoking, especially among youth, and to support tobacco control and cancer-related programs. Opponents, including the Taxpayers Protection Alliance and the Cigar Association of Hawaii, argued the tax is regressive and unreliable as a revenue source. The Department of Health noted the last cigarette tax increase was in 2011, and one witness urged a larger increase than proposed. No vote was taken on either bill in the portion of the hearing provided.
The committee also heard HB 557 on telehealth. The Department of Health supported the bill so long as it did not displace executive budget priorities, and the Hawaii State Health Planning and Development Agency and Hawaii Primary Care Association supported it. HPCA said the bill would conform state insurance law to recent Medicare changes expanding audio-only telehealth coverage beyond mental health services, and it emphasized access for rural residents, kupuna, and people with disabilities. HMSA opposed the bill as written, saying it strayed from the intent of Act 107 and that audio-only telehealth should remain limited because of quality-of-care concerns, though it supported continued access and asked for a different amendment approach. A telehealth provider also testified that payment disparities limit provider expansion and that audio-only access remains important for patients with serious illness. The hearing ended in the excerpt before any committee action or vote on HB 557.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Executive Departments and Administration (04/02/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- It doesn't properly address who's who specifies the continuing education for physician assistants or
- <00:10:45.839>
assistants <00:10:46.560>or <00:10:46.959>nurse for physician - assistants or nurse for physician assistants or nurse practitioners.
- And it sounded to me like the point of this training was to indoctrinate all physicians so that they
- And it sounded to me like the point of this training was to indoctrinate all physicians so that they
Summary:
The committee first heard House Bill 538, a Liquor Commission cleanup bill. Chair Joseph Mica and CFO Tina Deir explained that the bill updates outdated statutory titles and positions after the commission’s 2014 restructuring, deleting references to the former commissioner and COO roles, adding a director of administration and a director of finance and audit, and keeping the new positions at the same labor grade pending review by the Joint Committee on Employee Classification (JCEC). Members discussed the proper sequence for JCEC review, but generally treated the bill as housekeeping. The committee then voted ought to pass, and the roll call was unanimous, 16-0.
The committee next took up House Bill 493, which would require continuing education related to child abuse/ACE recognition for physicians and other providers. Testimony and committee discussion focused on whether the bill was too vague, whether it improperly intruded on the Board of Medicine’s authority to set professional education requirements, and whether it would effectively mandate a narrow training course that is currently voluntary and free. Supporters argued the bill addressed a real problem and cited testimony about missed abuse cases, while opponents said the board should handle the issue through its own rules and that the bill was poorly drafted. A motion of inexpedient to legislate passed 9-7, and the committee noted a minority report would be needed.
The meeting ended with procedural and scheduling announcements, including that the committee would be dealing with budget hearings the following week and had a large number of Senate bills scheduled for later in the month.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- As physicians, prior authorization is probably our... ...the Gold Card Act.
- Informed consent is an essential part of the patient-physician...
- Informed consent is an essential part of the patient-physician relationship.
- It allows patients and physicians to address concerns together.
- It clarifies that the pre-authorization exemption is for in-network physicians.
Bills:
HB163, HB216, HB721, HB2035, HB2038, HB3057, HB3153, HB3233, HB3595, HB3801, HB3812, HB4076, HB4129, HB4377, HB4535, HB4666, HB4730, HB4743, HB4903, HB5149, HB5155, HB1534
Keywords:
epinephrine, healthcare, emergency response, administration, medical policy, health care, itemized billing, patient rights, provider regulations, Texas Health and Safety Code, cost disclosure, insurance, benefit plan, administrators, chemical dependency, treatment facilities, minor admissions, parental notice, mental health, medical licensing
Summary:
The committee met without a quorum at first, then established a quorum with five members present. Members heard and left pending several House bills, including HB 4743 on allowing hospitals to license mobile stroke units under a hospital license, HB 4129 on earlier DFPS enforcement tools for single-source continuum contractors in community-based foster care, HB 4903 creating a Quad Agency Child Care Initiative to coordinate child care regulations across state agencies, HB 3812 revising the gold card/prior authorization process for physicians, HB 4535 requiring written informed consent before COVID-19 vaccination and a standardized state information sheet, and HB 4666 reducing the frequency of some HHSC reports to the legislature. The chair also noted HB 35 would be voted on later after a subcommittee back was received, and that a large number of bills would be heard the next day.
Most of the testimony focused on HB 4535 and HB 4730. On HB 4535, supporters argued the bill would strengthen informed consent for COVID vaccination by requiring written consent and clearer state-level information about risks, manufacturer liability protections, and adverse-event reporting; opponents, including a pediatrician and medical groups, said existing federal and state informed-consent materials already cover these topics and warned the bill could create duplicative paperwork and penalties. On HB 3812, the Texas Medical Association supported changes that would extend the gold-card evaluation period to one year, raise transparency, and make prior authorization exemptions easier to administer, while health plans said they were neutral and viewed the bill as a balance between reducing burden and preventing fraud or unsafe care.
HB 4730 drew extensive testimony from adoption professionals, birth mothers, adoptive parents, and child welfare advocates. The bill would require DFPS to create a relinquishment form, train child-placing agency staff, and extend the minimum waiting period for voluntary relinquishment from 48 hours to seven days. Supporters of the current law argued the 48-hour period aligns with hospital discharge, allows informed decisions, and helps birth parents and adoptive families begin healing and bonding without pushing children into foster care or creating legal and Medicaid complications. The author said the bill would be revised and that the seven-day provision was a work in progress. No votes were taken on the bills during the meeting; each bill was left pending after public testimony closed.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Health and Human Services (04/01/2026)
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- The concern is about when enormous financial... pandemic physicians face professional pandemic physicians
- uh acknowledged, 80% of our physicians uh acknowledged, 80% of our physicians are<00:19:58.240><
medicine physicians to practice medicine physicians to practice medicine independently<00:20:- >
to <00:20:22.800>practice Physicians should be allowed to practice Physicians should - will give potentially more physicians will give potentially more physicians like<00:20:59.520>
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- And she can give you a little background... ...on physicians in general.
- and physician wellness.
- physicians healthy.
- We have employed physicians.
- We have employed physicians.
Keywords:
medical malpractice, malpractice reform, patient's compensation fund, PCF, health care liability, tort reform, damage caps, punitive damages, hospital liability, physician liability, nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, outpatient facility, ambulatory surgical center, urgent care, free-standing emergency room, insurance surcharge, superintendent of insurance, New Mexico hospitals, medical review process
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Health and Human Services (04/15/2026)
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- where this there was a physician where this there was a physician assistant<02:37:39.280>
that - The vast majority of physicians, we have to wear multiple hats.
- The vast majority of physicians, we have to wear multiple hats.
- The vast majority of physicians, we have to wear multiple hats.
- Google physicians have to deal with Dr.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services Mar 12th, 2025
Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm a licensed physician. I'm a licensed physician in the state of Texas.
- I'm the primary care physician for these girls. were adopted from China.
- The blood center physicians, they've received fellowship, specialized training, and she will evaluate
- And if there truly is a medical necessity, we have a hospital physician, we have blood center physicians
- If the physician order was there with medical necessity, yes.
Bills:
SB 53, SB53, SB125, SB315, SB379, SB457, SB541, SB599, SB896, SB921, SB963, SB1038, SB1084, SB1330, SB1461
Keywords:
voter registration, election procedures, provisional ballot, change of address, residence requirements, mental health, court proceedings, notice requirements, legal filings, electronic documents, autologous blood donation, direct blood donation, blood bank, hospital, Health and Safety Code, physician order, preoperative blood donation, patient blood reserve, transfusion, surgery
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Legislative Session Day 14 (1-27-26)
Kentucky Senate Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Anesthesiologist Week. 31st of 2026 as Physician 31st of 2026 as Physician Anesthesiologist<00:33:39.840
- <00:34:28.960>
anesthesiologists devices by physician anesthesiologists devices by physician - management preferred by physician management preferred by physician anesthesiologist<00:35:00.320
- > And whereas physician anesthesiologists And whereas physician anesthesiologists innovation<00:35:09.680
- where students really become physicians. where students really become physicians.
Summary:
The Kentucky Senate convened with an invocation marking International Holocaust Remembrance Day, followed by the pledge, roll call, and a quorum declaration. The chamber approved the prior journal, received new bill and resolution introductions, and heard a House message that House Bill 312 had passed the House and was sent over for concurrence. The Senate also recessed briefly for committee meetings, then received committee reports referring several bills and resolutions to standing committees and placing Senate Joint Resolution 23 on the regular orders for January 28, 2026.
The main floor action was on Senate Bill 17, relating to the Kentucky Court-appointed Special Advocate Network. The Senate adopted a committee substitute that updated CASA statutes, including reducing the minimum board size from 15 to 12, narrowing a volunteer/employment restriction to Department of Community Based Services employees, removing outdated references to the National CASA Association while retaining compliance with national standards through the Kentucky CASA Network, and updating the state association’s name. The bill passed 33-0, and a title amendment was adopted without objection.
The Senate also considered Senate Bill 181, an emergency bill relating to schools and traceable communications. The chamber adopted a committee substitute and two floor amendments: one requiring parent notification after investigations involving alleged unauthorized electronic communication by a student, and another adding limited exemptions for communications involving school resource officers and directors of pupil personnel when certain school officials are included. Supporters said the changes were intended to refine implementation while preserving the bill’s original student-protection purpose. The bill then passed unanimously, 33-0.
In addition, the Senate adopted Senate Resolution 36 recognizing January 25-31, 2026 as Physician Anesthesiologist Week, with remarks highlighting the specialty’s contributions to anesthesia, airway management, patient safety, ICU care, pain management, and major surgeries. The Senate also heard announcements thanking road crews, first responders, and utility workers for winter storm response, and members made several co-sponsorship requests and announcements, including notice of Kentucky Audiologist Association advocacy day and a committee cancellation.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health Finance and Policy Committee 3/3/25
Health Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- years there is at least one physician years there is at least one physician member<01:20:04.080>
- <01:21:27.719>
about Physicians and of those Physicians about Physicians and of those Physicians - The board—one is for physicians and the other is for physician assistants.
- <01:32:02.159>
physician including Physicians physician including Physicians physician assistants - <01:37:50.440>
physician providers so uh the Physicians physician providers so uh the Physicians
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- I myself have appeared before City Hall in Santa Fe to advocate for physicians at Christus.
- No one will advocate more vehemently for the patient than their physician.
- Angela Sanchez, and I'm a family practice physician in Albuquerque.
- , states that do hold physicians accountable as well.
- the majority of physicians.
Keywords:
medical malpractice, malpractice reform, patient's compensation fund, PCF, health care liability, tort reform, damage caps, punitive damages, hospital liability, physician liability, nurse practitioner, certified nurse-midwife, outpatient facility, ambulatory surgical center, urgent care, free-standing emergency room, insurance surcharge, superintendent of insurance, New Mexico hospitals, medical review process
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services May 20th, 2025
Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- You're a physician on the bill. Yeah. I'm Zeke Silva.
- It allows patients and physicians to address concerns together.
- As Senator mentioned, we see a physician shortage.
- , and I want physicians in Texas.
- There is not a primary care physician within an hour of her community.
Bills:
HB163, HB216, HB721, HB2035, HB2038, HB3057, HB3153, HB3233, HB3595, HB3801, HB3812, HB4076, HB4129, HB4377, HB4535, HB4666, HB4730, HB4743, HB4903, HB5149, HB5155, HB1534, HB163, HB216
Keywords:
epinephrine, healthcare, emergency response, administration, medical policy, health care, itemized billing, patient rights, provider regulations, Texas Health and Safety Code, cost disclosure, insurance, benefit plan, administrators, chemical dependency, treatment facilities, minor admissions, parental notice, mental health, medical licensing
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health Finance and Policy Committee 3/2/26
Health Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm Roi Detti, a family physician I'm Roi Detti, a family physician practicing<00:15:56.320>
in - 16:06.240>
physicians <00:16:07.120>and <00:16:07.440>medical 3,100 family physicians - Gilbert, a family practice physician who Gilbert, a family practice physician who trained<01:30:19.840
- 2779 as an example of physician 2779 as an example of physician experience<01:30:28.560>
in - <01:31:58.080>
Singh primary care physicians. As Dr. Singh primary care physicians.
Keywords:
gun violence, public health, Department of Health, prevention, criminal justice, health care transparency, ownership disclosure, control reporting, health care consolidation, private equity, management services organization, MSO, provider organization, health insurer, pharmacy benefit manager, hospital system, affiliate reporting, financial disclosure, public reporting, market concentration
Summary:
The House Finance and Policy Committee met on March 2 with a quorum present and heard House File 3668, which would create a state Office of Gun Violence Prevention. The bill author argued the office would treat gun violence as a public health crisis, improve research and coordination, and help reduce deaths and trauma, especially among children. Several supporters testified, including representatives from the Minnesota Medical Association, Protect Minnesota, family medicine, public health, and obstetrics/gynecology, all emphasizing firearm injury and suicide as major public health problems and urging a coordinated, data-driven response. Multiple testifiers shared personal accounts of shootings and their effects on children and families, including the Annunciation shooting, and said the office could help align prevention efforts across health care, law enforcement, and community organizations.
Opposition came from the Minnesota Gun Owners Caucus, which argued the bill would create a permanent taxpayer-funded bureaucracy that could be used to shape firearm policy and restrict a constitutional right. The group said Minnesota should focus instead on enforcing existing laws, prosecuting violent offenders, and providing direct victim services. During committee discussion, Vice Chair Nadeau offered an A2 amendment to move the proposed office from the Department of Health to the Department of Public Safety, citing data-sharing, accountability, and examples from other cities and states; after discussion with the bill author, he withdrew the amendment. Chair Becker then noted existing state and local spending on violence prevention and public safety programs and raised concerns about duplication of effort.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
March 20, 2025 - 02:00 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- And in 2023, I became the first physician in the state of Florida to treat a four-year-old boy with a
- I represent the Florida College of Emergency Physicians and the Florida Society of Rheumatology.
- tend to be at the latter stages of their career, and any new physician...
- you know, they tend to be at the latter stages of their career. and any new physician.
- Patients see the optometrist much more than their primary care physicians.
Summary:
The subcommittee met with a quorum present and took up five health-related bills. HB 1089, which would add Duchenne muscular dystrophy to Florida’s newborn screening panel, was presented as a way to enable earlier diagnosis and treatment; a pediatric neurologist from Nemours testified in support, noting existing FDA-approved therapies and ongoing clinical trials. After supportive debate, the bill passed 17-0 and was reported favorably.
HB 1083 would standardize patient access to medical records by setting deadlines for providers to produce or allow inspection of records and requiring electronic delivery when available. Supporters said it would reduce delays in care and costs, while two industry groups appeared in opposition. Members from both parties spoke in favor, and the bill passed 17-0 and was reported favorably. HB 1297, which aligns Florida’s electronic prescribing rules more closely with federal law and removes some state exceptions, drew opposition from physicians who argued paper prescriptions are still needed for emergencies, shortages, and price shopping. The sponsor said the bill’s goals were patient safety, fraud prevention, and efficiency; despite concerns, it passed 18-0 and was reported favorably.
The committee then considered PCS for HB 1421, the Emily Adkins Family Protection Act, which would create a statewide blood clot and pulmonary embolism registry, require hospital reporting and risk-assessment policies, and expand training requirements in hospitals, nursing homes, and assisted living facilities. The bill was presented with emotional testimony from Emily Adkins’ parents, who urged support and co-sponsorship in her memory. Members from both parties praised the family’s advocacy, and the PCS passed 18-0 and was reported favorably.
Finally, HB 449 on optometry would expand optometrists’ authority to prescribe certain medications and perform specified laser and non-laser eye procedures after certification. The bill and amendment drew strong opposition from ophthalmologists and their association, who raised patient-safety, training, and delegation concerns, while optometrists argued the bill would improve access, especially in rural areas and counties without ophthalmologists. The amendment was adopted, and the bill as amended passed on a recorded vote and was reported favorably.
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Rural Health Transformation Committee - Policy Division Jan 13th, 2026 at 02:00 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- We will move on then to 1384, which is relating to physician continuing education requirements.
- and physician assistants.
- So as far as plugging the provision that I believe wants to be plugged into this physician assistant
- Physician assistants need a background check, and is that in this bill?
- The physician assistant wouldn't be licensed here in North Dakota if the physician assistant is licensed
Summary:
The committee reviewed four bill drafts for the Rural Health Transformation effort. The first required the presidential physical fitness test in PE classes; members asked about DPI and school support, then moved and approved the draft. The second required physicians to complete one hour of continuing education on nutrition and metabolic health each renewal cycle and included legislative intent encouraging other health boards to consider nutrition-related CE; it was approved after brief discussion.
The third bill adopted the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact. Members discussed a separate issue involving occupational therapy compact background checks and whether that fix could be added now or would need to wait until later; the committee also discussed Board of Medicine input and the compact’s workforce benefits. The draft was moved forward to the full committee. The fourth bill expanded pharmacists’ prescriptive authority and therapeutic substitution. Legislative Council explained the draft, and Senator Roars proposed substantial amendments to narrow motion sickness, UTI, diabetes supply, and substitution provisions. Members debated whether to vote on amendments now or wait for the special session public hearing; concerns were raised about transparency, stakeholder input, and avoiding premature action. No amendment vote was taken, and the bill was left for later consideration. The committee then recessed until the next day.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
December 2, 2025 - 03:30 PM
Transcript Highlights:
- Program in the Public Hospital Physicians program.
- Essentially, the physician Supplemental program applies the faculty physician practices at participating
- Physician training Public hospital physicians program applies to faculty physician practices at participating
- So you're saying that the public hospital physicians program PHP covers that.
- are in and provide the physician services.