Transcript Highlights:

• There's a lot of resources in the health care space, and I think that having access to health care helps
• We also recently issued a birthing care pathways report that was informed by direct, sustained engagement
• We also recently issued a birthing care pathways report that was informed by direct sustain engagement
• Pear Team is a community care hub that works with CBOs and the medical managed care, excuse me, to deliver
• Pereteam is a community care hub who works with CBOs and the medical managed care, excuse me, to deliver

Summary: The committee first handled several routine items, approving three gubernatorial appointees not required to appear: Hampus Eitsiter to the Boating and Waterways Commission, Peter Stern to the California Horse Racing Board, and Dean White to the State Mining and Geology Board. It also approved referral of bills to committees and floor acknowledgements, all by 5-0 votes. The committee then heard Tyler Sadwith’s appointment as Chief Deputy Director of Healthcare Programs at the Department of Health Care Services. Sadwith said his priorities would be protecting Medi-Cal access amid federal changes and continuing CalAIM and behavioral health reforms. Senators questioned him extensively about rural and financially distressed hospitals, Medi-Cal reimbursement, eligibility redeterminations, work requirements, fraud controls, dental access, labor and delivery closures, and CalAIM’s evaluation. He said DHCS is working on expedited payments, hospital monitoring, county technical assistance, targeted audits, and community supports such as medically tailored meals. Public commenters from county, hospital, and care organizations supported his confirmation, and the committee voted 5-0 to send the appointment to the full Senate. The committee also heard from Dr. Chris Thayer, nominated to lead the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment. Thayer described OEHHA’s role as providing transparent, scientifically rigorous health assessments and risk communication to inform other agencies and policymakers. Senators focused on the agency’s use of models versus real-world data, CalEnviroScreen, Prop 65, PFAS, wildfire health impacts, and how OEHHA communicates risk to the public. Thayer said the office relies on a mix of data sources where direct evidence is limited, is updating CalEnviroScreen, and is working to reduce Prop 65 over-warning through guidance and outreach. The discussion did not reach a final vote on his appointment in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• patient care, direct primary care, in small scope.
• In direct primary care in small scope.
• And one of those programs is the FQ Primary Care Access Pilot, which is an FQHC direct primary care program
• And one of those programs is the FQ Primary Care Access Pilot, which is an FQHC direct primary care program
• And the CNA role of direct care and skilled care in hospitals.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> hospital care that's so necessary. hospital care that's so necessary.
• </c> those providers aren't getting direct those providers aren't getting direct direct<00:13:17.680>
• . care. care.
• </c> reimbured, the care, their care to be reimbured, the care, their care to be reimbursed<00:15:05.680
• </c> office or outpatient care settings. office or outpatient care settings.

Keywords: 00:00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 00:01:25 - Discussion of 26RS HB 689 00:15:15 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 689 00:17:02 - Discussion of 26RS HB 407 00:45:40 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 407 00:49:25 - Discussion of 26RS HB 713 00:55:50 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 713 00:56:54 - Discussion of 26RS HB 676 01:06:42 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 676 01:08:43 - Adjournment, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It authorizes periods of time when child care centers may combine different ages of children in care,
• Periods of time when child care centers may combine different ages of children in care, and it requires
• It directs DCYF to issue an immediate summary suspension to a child care licensee when the zero-tolerance
• It directs DCYF to issue an immediate summary suspension to a child care licensee when the zero-tolerance
• It directs PESB to revise standards for teacher endorsements with literacy-related competencies and direct

Summary: The committee met for its final executive session of the session and took up several House bills related to early learning and K-12 education. House Bill 1795 on restraint and isolation in schools was briefed as prohibiting mechanical, chemical, and certain physical restraints, limiting isolation, and barring new isolation rooms; a proposed amendment to the striker was defeated, and the bill then advanced. House Bill 2219 on child care licensing and drug safety was briefed as requiring licensed child care settings to be free of high-potency synthetic opioids, drug paraphernalia, and manufacturing equipment, with amendments to add drug testing and broader controlled-substance prohibitions; both amendments failed, and the striker was adopted before the bill advanced. House Bill 1295 on literacy was described as setting curriculum and educator training requirements; the committee adopted a striking amendment that removed some district implementation and continuing-education requirements, then advanced the bill. The committee also heard briefings on House Bill 1634 on behavioral health supports in schools, House Bill 2557 on timelines for special education evaluation reports and eligibility meetings, and House Bill 2636 creating a public education review steering committee and JLARC review process, all of which had no amendments at the briefing stage. In formal action, the committee voted to adopt the striker on HB 1295 and then passed HB 1795, HB 2219, HB 1295, HB 1634, and HB 2557 out of committee with due pass recommendations. HB 2636 was also advanced, but to the Ways and Means Committee rather than the Rules Committee. Several members noted concerns about costs and unfunded mandates, particularly regarding literacy implementation and child care safety provisions, while supporters emphasized student safety, child care safety, and clarity in existing law. The meeting ended with thanks to staff and adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• Unrestricted direct access allows care to be guided by patient need rather than fixed timelines, improving
• system, including direct access to physical therapists as part of primary care teams and the use of
• system to get direct access.
• system to get direct access.
• of care.

Summary: The committee heard a long agenda of bills, with members repeatedly noting the lack of quorum while testimony continued. AB 1693 by Assemblymember Zbur would streamline local permitting for retail tenant improvements by allowing qualified professional certifiers to review plans and requiring local action within set deadlines; the California Retailers Association supported the bill, citing lengthy permit delays, and there was no opposition. AB 2010 by Assemblymember Soria would expand access to high-volume spay and neuter services, including mobile clinics, to address pet overpopulation; supporters said it would improve access in rural and underserved areas, while opponents and the Veterinary Medical Board raised concerns about safety standards and asked for amendments. AB 2195 by Assemblymember Rodriguez would stop automatic occupational license suspensions for low-income parents behind on child support; supporters argued the policy is counterproductive and hurts earning capacity, while the California Child Support Association and others said license suspension is an effective enforcement tool that brings parents to the table. The committee also heard AB 2311 by Assemblymember Chiu, which would let public health care district hospitals directly employ physicians; supporters said it would improve recruitment and access to care, while medical groups warned about physician autonomy and institutional influence. AB 1796 by Assemblymember Jackson would create a licensure pathway for professional interior designers and add an interior designer to the California Architects Board; supporters framed it as a public safety and professional recognition measure, while opponents said it would create confusion, unnecessary regulation, and no demonstrated public harm. AB 1739 by Assemblymember Ward would make it a crime for clergy providing therapeutic services to engage in sexual contact with a counselee, closing a gap in existing law; it drew strong support from survivor advocates and no opposition. Finally, AB 2497 by Assemblymember Johnson began testimony on modernizing the physical therapy practice act, with the author noting committee amendments that removed imaging and other provisions, but the transcript cuts off before testimony or action on that bill was completed.

Transcript Highlights:

• And there is a pathway to care.
• </c> And there is a pathway to care. And there is a pathway to care.
• These organizations want direction. They want to know how to help.
• These organizations want direction. They want to know how to help.
• These organizations want direction. They want to know how to help.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> facilities in direct care and treatment. facilities in direct care and treatment.
• care side of direct running the health care side of direct care<02:02:22.400><c> and</c><02:02:22.639
• c> which</c> work of direct care and treatment which work of direct care and treatment which is<02:03
• </c><02:04:07.920><c> to</c> direct care and treatment refers to direct care and treatment refers to
• direct care and treatment, the direct direct care and treatment, the Office<02:09:31.840><c> of</c><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to all their health care professionals.
• Oftentimes, they might be asked if they have any advance directives when they see a new health care professional
• voluntary non-opioid directive does not prohibit the conversation between a patient and a health care
• The voluntary non-opioid directive does not alter any other advance health care directive.
• The voluntary non-opioid directive does not alter any other advance health care directives, and it can

Summary: The Committee on Health Policy met with a quorum and considered three bills. Senate Bill 526 on nursing education programs, sponsored by Senator Harrell, would tighten oversight of nursing schools by requiring admission criteria, exit exams, remediation plans, annual reporting, on-site inspections, and stronger action against programs with poor NCLEX results or adverse actions in other jurisdictions. After testimony from the sponsor and several committee questions, a late-filed amendment restored a two-year probation period instead of one year, and the bill was reported favorably. Senate Bill 714, also by Senator Harrell, would create a voluntary non-opioid advance directive allowing patients to document a wish not to receive opioids, including when incapacitated, with the form developed by the Department of Health and potentially included in electronic medical records. The sponsor said it would not prevent treatment discussions and would provide liability protection for providers who lack actual knowledge of the directive in emergencies. The bill drew no opposition in the meeting and was reported favorably. Senate Bill 170, sponsored by Senator Burton, would add nursing home quality and transparency measures, including consumer satisfaction surveys, patient safety culture surveys, electronic health record requirements, reporting to the Florida Health Information Exchange, a $10,000 fine for failure to submit required financial data, and reporting on Medicaid quality payments. An amendment clarified the fine’s application to both facilities and home offices. Testimony from AARP and the Florida Health Care Association supported the bill, and it was reported favorably after discussion about implementation and costs.

Transcript Highlights:

• WE WERE DIRECTED TO PROVIDE A MONTHLY RECONCILIATION WHILE GRANTS AND DONATIONS AND MEDICAL CARE EXPENDITURES
• AND THEN SIMILARLY WITH THE MANAGED-CARE DON'T RATE INCREASES THIS DIRECTS US TO A RATE INCREASE FOR
• CARE, PERSONAL CARE IS THE LOWER LEVEL OF SERVICE THAN IT IS ON THE PRIVATE DUTY NURSING SIDE WHICH
• CONSUMER DIRECTED CARE, YOU EMPOWERED PARENTS, YOU EMPOWERED FAMILY MEMBERS TO MAKE CHOICES AND AGAIN
• CARE AS A GENERAL STATEMENT IT'S RISKY WITH MANAGED CARE IN THIS POPULATION BUT I THINK FLORIDA DID

Transcript Highlights:

• The amendment defines direct patient care, generally meaning the provision of health care services directly
• The amendment provides certain other additional criteria for qualifying as direct patient care.
• patient care.
• patient care.
• from Smile Direct Club.

Summary: The Health Care and Wellness Committee heard executive action on seven bills, with discussion focused on prior authorization, the 340B drug pricing program, biosimilars, HIV drug coverage, exchange certification criteria, and hearing/speech board authority. Members also considered several amendments, including a date change to prior authorization reporting in SB 5395, a large striking amendment and multiple policy amendments on SB 5981, and market-criteria amendments on SB 6210. Testimony and debate centered on transparency, administrative costs, rural access, patient care spending, market stability, and the balance between state authority and federal law. SB 5395 on prior authorization received Amendment 247, which moved the carrier reporting deadline to the Office of Insurance Commissioner from January 1, 2027 to October 1, 2026, and was then reported out with a due pass recommendation. SB 5981 on 340B drug pricing adopted a striking amendment creating reporting and fee structures, but rejected amendments that would have removed filing fees, required 90% of revenues to go to direct patient care, limited additional contract pharmacies to rural or underserved areas, or delayed the bill’s effective date; the bill then passed out of committee 11-7. Supporters emphasized transparency and safety-net funding, while opponents raised concerns about federal preemption, litigation, costs, and administrative burden. SB 5594 on biosimilar substitution, SB 5877 on certified anesthesiology assistants and the physician health program, and SB 6183 on coverage of FDA-approved HIV antiviral drugs without utilization management all advanced with broad support and due pass recommendations. SB 6210 on health benefit exchange market factor criteria adopted a striking amendment but rejected amendments that would have limited updates to every two years, narrowly defined “meaningfully different,” or changed implementation timelines; it also passed 11-7. SB 6226 on the Board of Speech and Hearing adopted Amendment 313 to expand standards-of-care authority for hearing aid fitting and dispensing, then passed 17-1 after debate about patient safety, tele-audiology, and access to care.

Transcript Highlights:

• By way of background, continuing care retirement communities, CCRCs, are entities that provide care and
• Care services may include nursing care, medical care, assistance with activities of daily living, and
• By way of backgrounds, continuing care retirement communities, CCRCs are entities that provide care and
• Care services may include nursing care, medical care, assistance with activities of daily living and
• who offer life care contracts.

Bills: HB2540, HB2113

Keywords: emergency medical services, EMT recertification, healthcare, first responders, public health, radiologic technologists, diagnostic imaging, healthcare regulation, professional supervision, state licensing, 904, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Some are under managed care, some are not.
• and access to care, and enhancing patient treatment and continuity of care.
• and access to care, enhancing patient treatment and continuity of care.
• Senate Bill 1736 addresses a critical gap in care by allowing direct support professionals and relatives
• But it's a definite step in the right direction to ensure that we don't have breaks in care for Florida's

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Health and Human Services met to consider a full agenda of bills, moving quickly through 20 measures and several amendments. Early bills reported favorably included SB 976 on procedures for challenging court-appointed psychologists in family law cases, SB 306 on Medicaid managed care provider access outside regular business hours, and SB 584 on housing supports for foster youth and college students, which drew supportive testimony from former foster youth and was backed by members as a way to improve stability and educational opportunity. The committee also approved SB 1412 to modernize home health regulations and SB 1800 to create a Parkinson’s research consortium at USF, with members citing the need for more research and future funding opportunities. The committee adopted amendments on several bills, including technical and conforming changes to the Parkinson’s bill and other measures. The committee then advanced a series of health care and child welfare bills. SB 524 added Duchenne muscular dystrophy to newborn screening; SB 1156 revised the Home Health Aide Program for medically fragile children, including training, reimbursement, and work-hour flexibility; and SB 1490 reorganized services for medically fragile children by shifting program administration to AHCA and requiring a redesign plan for the Medicaid waiver. SB 1174 allowed foster home and child-caring agency licenses to be amended when a foster parent relocates, and SB 1620 implemented selected recommendations from the Commission on Mental Health and Substance Use Disorders, including a new research center at USF and school-based behavioral health review requirements. SB 1568 revised e-prescribing exemptions, and SB 78 authorized certain veterans’ nursing home beds and related certificate-of-need transfers. All of these measures were reported favorably after brief debate or supportive testimony. Several bills prompted more extensive discussion and some opposition. CS for CS SB 1270, the Department of Health agency package, included provisions on vaccination-related patient rights, medical marijuana reporting, background screening, temporary licensure, compact participation, and sovereign immunity for volunteer dentists; it passed despite concerns from Senators Berman, Brodeur, and Harrell about vaccination language and board/voting-power provisions. CS for SB 1606 on patient access to records drew strong opposition from physicians and health information professionals over privacy, security, fines, and portal access; it was initially reported unfavorably, then reconsidered and ultimately reported favorably as a committee bill. CS for SB 1736, allowing insulin administration by direct support professionals and relatives for individuals with developmental disabilities, and SB 1808, requiring timely refunds to patients, both passed. CS for SB 1842, requiring referring providers to help patients determine whether referred providers are in-network, also passed over concerns about burden on small practices. The committee also advanced SB 1354, a behavioral health oversight bill requiring audits, performance reporting, and system transparency measures for managing entities, and SB 1768, which authorizes physicians to perform certain stem cell therapies using specified products and requires informed consent; both drew supportive comments but also concerns about patient understanding and oversight. Finally, the committee approved SPB 7032 as a committee bill to create presumptive Medicaid eligibility for permanently disabled individuals during redetermination, and after reconsideration it reported SB 1606 favorably as a committee bill. The meeting ended with members noting their recorded votes on select tabs and adjourning after completing the agenda.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:00:40.440><c> system</c> health care system health care system are<00:00:42.000><c> all</c><00
• </c> um on the health care um on the health care hospitals hospitals hospitals in<00:05:18.920><c> uh
• , care, care, and<00:05:28.600><c> um</c> And North Memorial, which is a Level 1 Trauma Center for adult
• health care.
• </c> have faced here in Minnesota is a direct have faced here in Minnesota is a direct result<00:09:32.200

Keywords: 918, senate, all

Summary: Senate Tax Committee members presented a tax omnibus bill they said was a bipartisan effort aimed at making life more affordable and responding to federal policy changes they argued are increasing costs and harming Minnesota families, communities, farmers, and businesses. Chair Rest and other senators described the bill as a response to federal cuts to health care and food support, and said it also complements other Senate action on health and human services. Key provisions highlighted included a 12% increase in property tax refunds for homeowners, described as more than $100 million in direct relief; a $2 million provision related to Operation Metro Transit; a new health care sales tax in Hennepin County to replace an expiring local sales tax and help stabilize hospitals such as HCMC and North Memorial, with funds for uncompensated care and facility upkeep; and a social media tax on the largest platforms, which supporters said would raise revenue without affecting Minnesota residents. Senators also emphasized a sustainable aviation fuel credit, framed as a climate and economic development measure that could support in-state production and agricultural feedstocks. Members also discussed agricultural provisions, including lifting the cap on the beginning farmer tax credit extension and updating homestead-related rules, saying these changes would help farm transitions and reflect current conditions. Another property tax change would increase the market value exclusion for disabled veterans. No formal vote was taken in the transcript, but senators said the bill had been passed to the floor and they were waiting for leadership to schedule it, while noting the House had not yet taken similar action.

Transcript Highlights:

• CYFD was created to provide family first care.
• Let me just talk about the directive.
• That commitment continues under universal child care. Universal Child Care.
• What we show below is child care.
• That's why building the child care sector is so important to bring health care professionals.

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><c> really</c><00:09:40.040><c> care</c> care uncompensated care is really care care uncompensated care
• care and uncompensated care of charity care and uncompensated care or<00:15:16.200><c> bad</c><00:15
• </c> care system. care system.
• </c> care for them. care for them.
• </c> &gt;&gt; Charity care. Charity care. Oh, okay. &gt;&gt; Charity care. Charity care. Oh, okay.

Bills: HF4343

Keywords: sales tax, use tax, advertising tax, taxable services, digital advertising, online marketing, marketing services, search engine marketing, lead generation, internet advertising, ad agency, media buying, campaign planning, Minnesota tax law, service tax, broadening tax base, web advertising, promotional services, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• while they were trying to take care of the patient.
• while they were trying to take care of the patient.
• to hospice care.
• That's no care for those patients.
• People are scared to seek emergency care.

Summary: The committee met with a quorum and considered several health-related bills. SB 398, by Senator Burgess, would create a statewide Alzheimer’s and dementia awareness campaign through the Department of Elder Affairs, focused on early detection, brain health, risk reduction, clinical trial access, and community resources. Supporters said Florida has a large and growing Alzheimer’s population and that the campaign would help families and vulnerable communities; the bill was reported favorably after a roll call vote. The committee also adopted an amendment to SB 714, by Senator Burton, which would create non-opioid advanced directives and add liability protections for providers in medical emergencies involving opioids. Supporters framed it as a patient-choice measure, while opponents argued it was vague and could interfere with appropriate pain treatment; the amended bill was then reported favorably. The committee also approved CS/SB 756, which removes the current age-eight diagnosis requirement for autism-related insurance coverage and extends coverage beyond age 18 for those diagnosed with autism. Senator Burton said the bill would help families whose children are diagnosed later or whose needs continue into adulthood. There was brief discussion about existing lifetime benefit caps, but the sponsor said the bill did not change those limits. The committee then took up SB 734, a proposal by Senator Yarbrough to repeal Florida’s wrongful death exception that bars certain parents and adult children from recovering non-economic damages in medical negligence cases. The sponsor and supporters described the current law as discriminatory and unjust, especially for families of older adults and disabled individuals, while opponents warned it would raise malpractice costs, increase premiums, and worsen provider shortages. The bill drew extensive public testimony from both grieving family members and health care/insurance representatives, and members debated whether caps or other safeguards should be added. No final action on SB 734 is reflected in the transcript excerpt.

Transcript Highlights:

• direct care workers.
• I'm also a big supporter of being able to support our direct care providers.
• grants and other grants that can deliver education and resources to direct care workers. unpaid family
• The funds were used for various programs, one of which was a respite care program that provided direct
• care providers in primary care.

Transcript Highlights:

• Recently, in response to the board's feedback and direction, the Office of Health Care Affordability
• and some specialty care.
• The bottom of why health care costs keep on increasing and the quality of care or access to care keeps
• And over 200 sites of care.
• quality care for patients and at the same time drive down the total cost of care.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You can't find a direct care provider that you trust to have in your home.
• You can't find a direct. And the money is there for the care. You can't find the caregivers.
• You can't find a direct care provider that you trust to have in your home.
• So they came in and, in what they call a directed plan of care that they gave Warren... ...a directed
• directed by Long-Term Care, and there are federal surveyors.

Summary: The Joint State Agencies committee met to approve prior minutes and then focused on the death of Zachary Moore at the Southeast Arkansas Human Development Center, later clarified in discussion as the Warren facility. DHS officials described Moore’s background, said he died after a prolonged prone restraint followed by a delayed chemical restraint, and reported that 13 staff were terminated, the superintendent was replaced, a consultant was brought in, and the agency entered a settlement with the family for $725,000. Members pressed DHS on the cause of death, restraint policies, staff training, supervision, family notification, and why the family had not been kept informed; DHS said a family-notification procedure exists but that communications during litigation had been handled through counsel. The committee also heard that six staff had been criminally charged with manslaughter and neglect of a vulnerable person, and that the death certificate listed the manner of death as homicide with cause of death tied to physiologic stress associated with struggle and prone restraint. DHS officials gave broader context on the five human development centers, their licensing and accreditation, resident population, mortality review process, and training programs. They said the centers serve highly medically and behaviorally complex residents, that annual restraint training and CPI-based instruction are required, and that the mortality review committee and Office of Long-Term Care review deaths and make recommendations. Members repeatedly criticized the agency for not having complete information at the meeting and for what they saw as gaps in oversight, staffing, and chain-of-command clarity during emergencies. DHS responded that the Warren facility had not been meeting the same standards as the others, that the consultant’s root-cause analysis identified multiple failures, and that new crisis-team and chain-of-command procedures were being drafted. A second major topic was staffing and recruitment. Members discussed low pay, turnover, use of float and on-call staff, rural staffing shortages, and a waiting list of about 2,000 people for home- and community-based services. DHS said CNAs at the centers start at about $39,000 a year, that a broader retention and recruitment plan is being drafted for all five centers, and that a separate rate study for PASS services will be implemented in January 2027 but does not cover CNA pay. The meeting ended with testimony from Moore’s mother, Angela Stevens, who said money could not replace her son and urged stronger training, background checks, and supervision so other residents would be protected. The committee asked DHS to keep members and Stevens updated on consultant reports, recruitment efforts, and follow-up on the family communication issue, and then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• From strengthening our foster care system to expanding promised neighborhoods or advancing the CWS CARES
• A foster care multi-agency office would ideally have the ability and authority to direct public agencies
• So within kinship settings and extended foster care, but I think the most direct response is the evaluation
• care licensing.
• This is related to an emerging issue within community care licensing for child care programs.

Keywords: 988, house, all