Video & Transcript Research : 'rate deviations'
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HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
FIN Info Briefing - Mon Jan 12, 2026 @ 1:00 PM HST
Hawaii House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- With a 27.6% vacancy rate. We have a higher exempt position vacancy rate.
- <00:23:24.640>
Um a you know 27 28% vacancy rate. Um a you know 27 28% vacancy rate. - We pay at EMS rates, right? our um EMS. We pay at EMS rates, right?
- increase redemption rates. increase redemption rates.
- , extremes as far as percolation rate, extremes as far as percolation rate, right?
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- at the current home nurse care rate at the current home nurse care rate while<01:05:09.520>
the - rate.
- <01:46:04.400>
we heck of a Time living on the rates we heck of a Time living on the rates - they must provide justification for rate they must provide justification for rate increases<02:55
- rate increases this you can continue to rate<03:17:01.160>
increase <03:17:02.160>again
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- Their satisfaction rate is 90%.
- <01:56:37.119>
is satisfaction rate is satisfaction rate is 90%<01:56:39.119>contrast< - males who only have a satisfaction rate males who only have a satisfaction rate of<01:56:43.639>
- seeking to increase vaccination rates seeking to increase vaccination rates would<03:53:10.159><
- Electric Co-op announced another rate Electric Co-op announced another rate hike<05:34:25.240>
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities and Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- It’s a $15 rate, and that includes taxes and fees.
- It’s a $15 flat rate, and that includes taxes and fees, and it would really allow those qualified as
- In the last 10 years, electricity rates are up 74%, water rates are up 40%, wireless rates are down 44%
- We are in favor of House Bill 3507, an act relative to equitable towing rates.
- We are in favor of House Bill 3507, an act relative to equitable towing rates.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Telecommunications, Utilities, and Energy opened its hearing with testimony on several broadband, towing, and rideshare-related bills. The first major issue was H. 3470/S. 2259, which would add data privacy and integrity protections for transportation network driver information. Rideshare drivers and labor advocates strongly opposed the bill, saying it would delay implementation of Question 3, which Massachusetts voters approved to give rideshare drivers a path to unionize. Drivers described low pay, deactivations, harassment, safety risks, and the need for a union to negotiate fairer working conditions. Legal and labor experts testified that the bill was largely duplicative of existing law and regulations and would unnecessarily postpone drivers’ organizing rights. No vote was taken on the bill during the hearing.
The committee also heard extensive testimony on broadband affordability and access bills, including S. 2318/H. 3527 and related measures. Supporters, including legislators, digital equity advocates, senior advocates, and service providers, said low-income households need a permanent affordable broadband option after the federal Affordable Connectivity Program ended. They argued that internet access is now essential for jobs, school, health care, housing, and daily life, and supported a flat-rate low-income plan around $15 per month with protections such as no installation fees or termination fees. Opponents from cable and wireless industry groups argued the bills would impose artificial price mandates, discourage investment, and reduce consumer choice, noting that providers already offer discounted programs. The committee also heard support for broadband deployment and pole-attachment streamlining bills, with providers and municipal broadband advocates saying permitting delays and pole access bottlenecks slow expansion and raise costs.
Additional testimony covered H. 3566, which would exempt municipal broadband projects from surety bond requirements, and towing-related bills including S. 2235, H. 3507, H. 3516, and H. 3482. Insurance and anti-fraud witnesses supported stronger towing protections, saying some towers charge excessive fees and hold vehicles hostage, while one witness urged broader consumer safeguards. The hearing ended after the chairs shortened testimony to fit the room schedule, asked for final comments on remaining bills, and then adjourned by motion and voice vote.
LA
Transcript Highlights:
- Employed at a rate that's higher, right?
- I think the estimate was if there was a 20% leakage rate and there was a 50% leakage rate. Leakage?
- I think the estimate was if there was a 20% leakage rate and there was a 50% leakage rate.
- What's the current leakage rate? I have no idea.
- What's the current leakage rate? I have no idea.
Keywords:
survivor benefits, law enforcement, reserve officer, auxiliary officer, public safety, firefighters, medical expenses, dental expenses, disability benefits, Medicaid, dental coverage, healthcare access, medical necessity, Louisiana Department of Health, health insurance, provider agreements, contracting actions, participating facilities, network status, survivors benefits
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Labor and Employment Committee Apr 29th, 2026
Labor and Employment
Transcript Highlights:
- The JEU is one of the Labor Commission units with the highest retention rate and the fewest vacancies
- Despite its small staff of seven lawyers and 23 investigators, the rate of recovery of judgments from
- The budget... ...we would see even more of a collection rate.
- JU has the highest vacancy rate—I'm sorry, that's the lowest vacancy rate—of all of our programs and
- This represents a 37% hit rate.
Summary:
The Assembly Committee on Labor and Employment held a review hearing on SB 588, the 2015 wage theft enforcement law, focusing on whether its tools are working and what additional authority or resources may be needed. Committee members emphasized that wage theft is a major and under-enforced form of theft in California, citing large backlogs in wage claims and long delays that often leave workers unpaid even after winning judgments.
Panelists from UCLA, worker advocacy organizations, and legal aid described SB 588’s enforcement tools, including liens, levies, stop orders, successor and individual liability, and priority in bankruptcy. They said the law has improved collections and settlement leverage, especially in industries like janitorial services and property services, where client companies and contractors can be held jointly responsible. Several examples were discussed, including cases involving Tesla, Cheesecake Factory, Optum, and Winko Foods, where the law helped secure payments or settlements for workers. At the same time, advocates argued that the prejudgment lien provisions are too limited, that care home cases remain especially difficult, and that more staffing and broader authority would improve recovery.
Workers testified about unpaid wages, long delays, retaliation fears, and the difficulty of collecting even after obtaining judgments. A home care worker described waiting years for a hearing and still not recovering money because assets had been moved or hidden. A residential care worker said caregivers are often underpaid, denied breaks, and left with little practical recourse. The Labor Commissioner reported that the agency has recovered more wages since SB 588, including through mail levies, liens, and stop orders, but said many cases involve judgment-proof employers and require intensive investigation. Public comment from a SEIU representative supported SB 588 and urged continued focus on bad actors and targeted enforcement. No vote or formal action was taken at the hearing.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Elementary and Secondary Education Jan 14th, 2026 at 12:00 pm
Elementary and Secondary Education
Transcript Highlights:
- prepared teachers, those in dark green, have higher retention rates than non-traditionally prepared
- The three-year retention rate and the five-year retention rate of traditionally prepared teachers can
- We lose those at the highest rates.
- Additionally, after five years, MTDS teachers demonstrate a 90% retention rate compared to only a 63%
- rate for non-MTDS teachers.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee Jan 14th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- It is true, however, that whether the rates are urban or rural, Californians do pay higher rates than
- considerably higher due to factors, some of which include taxes, permitting inefficiency, the high rates
- It is true, however, that whether the rates are urban or rural, Californians do pay higher rates than
- of copper theft and vandalism in the state, and coal inefficiency, the high rates of copper theft and
- The flat-rate surcharge that was put in place in 2023 led to a 300% increase in what wireless consumers
Summary:
The Assembly Communications and Conveyance Committee held an informational hearing on the state of broadband affordability in California. Chair Tasha Berner said the committee was examining how broadband prices, access, and affordability are affecting households, especially after the end of the federal Affordable Connectivity Program and amid concerns about federal resistance to state broadband regulation. She noted the committee’s continued interest in policy options for 2026 and referenced prior legislation, including AB 353, that would have required affordable home internet as a condition of doing business in California.
Industry witnesses from U.S. Telecom and CTIA argued that broadband and wireless prices have generally fallen in real terms even as inflation and other household costs have risen, citing competition, infrastructure investment, and faster speeds as the main drivers. They said California’s higher costs are tied to permitting delays, taxes, copper theft, and legacy obligations such as COLR requirements, and they urged the Legislature to preserve market incentives, reduce fees and regulatory burdens, and support infrastructure deployment. They also discussed fixed wireless access, federal BEAD funding, and Universal Service Fund reform, arguing that more entities benefiting from networks, including tech platforms, should contribute to support programs.
Consumer and public-interest witnesses presented a different view, saying California still has a serious affordability and adoption problem, especially for low-income households. Sunny McPhee of the California Emerging Technology Fund said broadband adoption has improved dramatically over time, but about 500,000 households remain offline or underconnected and many low-income households still pay above the FCC affordability benchmark. Ernesto Falcon of the CPUC Public Advocates Office said California’s market is losing its competitive edge, with prices higher than in other states and meaningful price pressure coming mainly from fiber competition at the gigabit tier. He said roughly 4.8 million Californians are limited to one gigabit option and estimated that more competition could save consumers more than $1 billion annually. Both witnesses emphasized the need for stronger transparency, targeted subsidies, and a permanent affordability solution, including extending and refining the CPUC broadband Lifeline pilot and advancing SB 716.
Public commenters, including representatives from cable providers, nonprofits, and digital equity organizations, largely supported SB 716 and a permanent broadband affordability program. Several urged the committee to remove a cap on the Lifeline program, expand the CPUC pilot, and invest in digital navigators, outreach, and enrollment assistance. The hearing ended without a vote or formal action, after the chair thanked the witnesses and public commenters for their testimony.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism Committee Aug 20th, 2025
Arts, Entertainment, Sports, and Tourism
Transcript Highlights:
- Are there rates going up?
- It sounds like if the volume is going down, but the rates are going up, is that an impediment to?
- So, actually, the rates are going down. So, the rates of the hotel rooms.
- So, in order to fill those rooms, I mean the tax rates. Oh, the tax rates.
- down so we can bring down our hotel rates and be a little more affordable.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services May 14th, 2025
Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- For example, Vantage scores versus FICO scores; there are two different types. of credit ratings, and
- . ...rate, meaning that 2 out of every 10 calls, texts, or chats went unanswered, falling short of the
- Medigap plans at fair and consistent rates.
- And how many people, I mean how many rates have to be filed each year?
- However, many Texas physicians do not accept Medicaid due to low reimbursement rates.
Bills:
HB107, HB742, HB1639, HB1700, HB2071, HB2187, HB2402, HB2516, HB3211, HB4529, HB5342, HB694, HB923, HB4655, HB107
Keywords:
sickle cell disease, registry, health data, confidentiality, healthcare access, human trafficking, first responders, health care, training, reporting, protection, cancer, female firefighters, health study, state health services, fire protection, telemedicine, teledentistry, telehealth, health records
ND
North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Appropriations Apr 8th, 2025 at 08:30 am
Appropriations
Transcript Highlights:
- And so I can—this is a really complex rate-setting process.
- sets the rates for all of the psychiatric residential treatment facilities.
- And then those rates are the ones that we utilize for our base rate for setting rates for Sanford Insurance
- Because typically your commercial insurances default to the prevailing Medicare rate.
- But you don't know if they did it at 100% of the daily rate? You're not sure. I'm not sure. Okay.
Summary:
The committee began with roll call and a brief update on remaining work, then took up Senate Bill 2213, the “science of math” bill. Members clarified that the appropriation for the program was not included in the DPI budget and would remain attached to the policy bill for now. The committee adopted the amendment and then gave the bill a do pass recommendation, 21-2.
The committee next considered Senate Bills 2036 and 2037, both juvenile justice/Human Services bills involving mental health and criminal responsibility evaluations for minors. Testimony explained that the bills create new processes and require DHS to contract with specialized providers, with appropriations of $500,000 in 2036 and $300,000 in 2037. Members debated whether the funding should come from existing DHS resources or remain as separate appropriations, and whether the programs were one-time or ongoing. The committee adopted amendments on both bills and then recommended both do pass, with 2036 passing 14-6 and 2037 passing 17-4.
The committee then heard Senate Bill 2021, the Information Technology Department budget. Representative Bosch outlined major themes in the budget, including migration from PeopleSoft and the mainframe, onboarding/off-boarding automation, double-counting of IT spending, and the transition of education technology from PowerSchool to Infinite Campus. Members also discussed a study amendment related to a statewide enterprise resource planning system, and added language on grant management and compliance management. The committee adopted the amendments and gave the budget a do pass recommendation, 20-0-3.
Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2011, the Highway Patrol budget. Representative Pyle explained the House changes, including shifting some one-time costs to the motor carrier electronic permit fund, funding for body armor, breath tests, road course resurfacing, fleet costs, handgun replacement, and carryover authority for federal technology funds. The committee adopted the amendment and then passed the budget 21-0-2. The committee then began Senate Bill 2399, a Human Services bill on Medicaid reimbursement for psychiatric residential treatment facilities, but deferred action after testimony from a facility representative and committee discussion about therapeutic leave days, reimbursement rates, and whether a cap on reimbursable days should be set in statute or rule. The chair said the committee would seek more information from DHS and take the bill up the next day.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
Hearings to examine the nomination of Jayanta Bhattacharya, of California, to be Director of the National Institutes of Health, Department of Health and Human Services. Mar 5th, 2025 at 09:00 am
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Florida has a lower all-cause excess death rate during the pandemic than California.
- Their rates of suicidality and depression are through the roof.
- The Swedish example, for instance, where there's lower death rates, all cause excess. death rates in
- Florida having lower all cause excess death rates.
- For decades, we've had body weight go up, diabetes rates, chronic. disease.
Keywords:
NIH funding, healthcare research, chronic diseases, scientific integrity, public trust, pandemic response
Summary:
The meeting of the committee focused on various healthcare and scientific issues, with significant discussions surrounding the impact of recent administrative actions on the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and its research agenda. Senators expressed concerns over funding cuts and personnel reductions, particularly the reported termination of over 1,200 NIH staff members, which could jeopardize ongoing and future research projects. The session included testimonies on the importance of supporting early-stage researchers and restoring public trust in scientific institutions following pandemic-related controversies. Additionally, the potential for future healthcare management based on diverse scientific ideas was emphasized as crucial to tackle chronic diseases effectively.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Interim Joint Committee on Economic Development & Workforce Investment (11-20-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- This is the number of people and the pay rate, the average pay rate when you average those together.
- This is the number of people and the pay rate, the average pay rate when you average those together.
- >
when the pay rate, the average pay rate when the pay rate, the average pay rate when you<00: - But mostly wage rates are over time.
- over time we'll see those wage rates over time we'll see those wage rates move<00:21:08.320>
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Call to Order and Roll Call 00:00:58
Putting Young Kentuckians to Work: First Year Update 00:04:06
Kentucky Talent Attraction Initiative 00:21:59
Kentucky Manufacturing Extension Partnership 00:57:15, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met with a quorum, approved the October minutes, and heard first a progress report on the state-funded “Putting Young Kentuckians to Work” initiative. Workforce leaders from Cumberland Workforce Development Board and Kentucky Works said the HB 1 funding has allowed them to contract with all 10 workforce boards and build new pipelines with high schools, area technology centers, school districts, and community and technical colleges. They reported an end-of-year goal of 3,600 job placements, with 218 placements reported as of October 2025 and enrollment numbers continuing to rise. Testimony emphasized that the program is aimed at disconnected youth and high school seniors, that federal WIOA funds are too limited to support this work alone, and that the flexible state funding has enabled short-term training and placements in fields such as welding, CDL, and CNA. Members asked about barriers to implementation, wage levels, and services for students with disabilities; presenters said the main challenge was building school relationships and that wage growth should improve as students gain more skills and credentials.
The committee then received an update on the Kentucky Talent Attraction Initiative. Representatives from Greater Louisville Inc. and Commerce Lexington explained that the General Assembly previously provided $250,000 for a consultant to develop a statewide talent attraction and retention strategy, and that more than 13 organizations across the state support the effort. Development Counsellors International described its research process, including statewide stakeholder engagement, and said the goal is to create a Kentucky talent value proposition that combines job opportunities with quality-of-place messaging. They reported that Kentucky faces a shrinking labor force and a projected national worker shortfall, while internal research found 47% of working-age respondents could consider leaving the state within two years because they are not confident in career opportunities. At the same time, they said 96% of surveyed higher education students would stay if offered a full-time job, and 72% of employers expect to expand staffing in the next two years. The presenters said they are moving from research into messaging and an action plan, and that the strategy should be customized and measurable rather than one-size-fits-all.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- c> for<00:03:23.360>
teachers of the daily rate of pay for teachers of the daily rate of pay - , our region's low unemployment rate, our region's low unemployment rate, successful<00:08:48.080
- Our basic rate is $150 per day.
- Uh our basic rate is 150 participate. Uh our basic rate is 150 per<00:09:56.800>
day. - Blasting Game who talked about the 31% attendance rate.
Keywords:
short-call substitute, substitute teacher, substitute teaching license, pilot program, teacher shortage, education workforce, school district, charter school, Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board, PELSB, background check, paraprofessional, education support personnel, temporary license, substitute training, retaliation, teacher pay, daily substitute pay, Minnesota education law, education innovation
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Information Technology Committee Jul 8th, 2026
Information Technology Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Beyond the rate comparison, and maybe I will stop one more time at the rate comparison, when you click
- on that exploring the rate comparison link, there are some of our rates in here where it talks to comparisons
- So I am going to come off of the rate piece.
- So I am going to come off of the rate piece.
- We've certainly seen those participation rates drop.
Summary:
The Information Technology Committee approved the March 26 minutes and received a series of reports from NDIT on major IT projects, the annual report, mainframe modernization, and cybersecurity services. The project portfolio was reported at 116 major projects with a baseline cost of $546 million, overall under budget but modestly behind schedule. Several projects that had been in variance status last quarter were said to have closed, including HHS bed management, vital records modernization, and DOT roadway capital planning. New startup reports were mostly HHS efforts tied to refugee data management, technical debt cleanup, and legacy application decommissioning, while closeouts included HHS, OMB, DPI, and DOT projects with mixed budget and schedule results.
In the annual report discussion, NDIT described its service-fund financials, peer-state rate comparisons, records management reporting, and customer satisfaction efforts. Members asked about how revenues and grants flow through the service fund, how NDIT charges agencies for services, and whether customer satisfaction or CSAT scores are tracked and could be reported more regularly. NDIT said it does track service-team CSAT and survey data, and committee members encouraged more regular reporting of those metrics. The committee also discussed application portfolio management, statewide IT planning, and whether agencies should slow new system replacements while the state pursues an ERP system.
The mainframe update focused on the state’s ongoing effort to retire legacy systems by about 2030. NDIT and HHS said the work is being managed as a tech-debt program, but progress is slowed by data cleanup, integration complexity, staff retirements, vendor capacity, and federal requirements. Members asked whether there is a coordinated commitment and whether additional vendor support or consultants are needed; NDIT said it is working jointly with HHS and is seeking an RFP to help accelerate modernization. The cybersecurity presentation then shifted to statewide maturity assessments and services. NDIT said it provides endpoint protection, vulnerability scanning, security awareness training, threat briefings, and penetration testing, and that assessments are based on CIS controls. Members raised concerns about low participation in the self-assessment process, the lack of mandatory reporting or audit authority, and whether insurance incentives through Enderf or possible State Auditor involvement could improve compliance. No formal votes were taken beyond approval of the minutes.
NM
Transcript Highlights:
- From 2024 on, the settlement rate and amounts for both accelerate.
- From 2024 on, the settlement rate and amounts for both accelerate.
- hearings and makes rate recommendations.
- They don't like our crime rate. They don't like our education rate.
- The reason they're paying too much in rates in part is because...
Keywords:
sexual crimes, statute of limitations, criminal justice, victim rights, child abuse, procurement, contracting, small business, local government, disaster recovery, emergency procurement, certification, public spending, juvenile justice, delinquency, rehabilitation, community corrections, risk assessment, public safety, health regulations
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources & Energy. (2-11-26)
Natural Resources & Energy
Transcript Highlights:
- to rate customers.
- to rate customers.
- <00:36:32.400>
Um, shift in rates to rate customers. - Um, shift in rates to rate customers.
- just trying to stabilize the rates. just trying to stabilize the rates.
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00
Attendance Roll Call 03:09
SB 57 Discussion 04:03
SB 57 Roll Call Vote 38:37
SB 172 Discussion 41:27
SB 172 Roll Call Vote 50:23, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first handled routine business, including a prayer, the pledge, recognition of an Energy and Environment Cabinet leadership academy group, a roll call establishing quorum, and approval of the previous meeting’s minutes. The main item was Senator Danny Carroll’s presentation of legislation to create a nuclear-ready site readiness pilot program in Kentucky. He said the bill is intended to help build a nuclear ecosystem in the Commonwealth by supporting early site permits, construction permits, or combined licenses, with the state contributing up to $25 million per project and a total of $75 million for up to three projects. He emphasized safeguards such as refundable funding if conditions are not met, legislative rather than authority-only selection of projects, and oversight by the Kentucky Nuclear Energy Development Authority (NIDTA). He also described related provisions on cost recovery through the Public Service Commission, tax incentive eligibility for nuclear ecosystem projects, training and consultant support for the authority, and eligibility for fusion projects.
Carroll and Rodney Andrews said the proposal is meant to attract utilities, developers, and large industrial users such as data centers, and to spread projects geographically, with particular attention to Eastern Kentucky and other rural areas. They said selection criteria would include site suitability, prior site use, regional economic need and impact, geographic diversity, additional investment, federal funding status, and whether a community has applied to be designated nuclear-ready. They stressed that communities would not be forced to host reactors and could choose which parts of the nuclear ecosystem to participate in. Carroll also said the bill could help Kentucky compete with states like Texas and Tennessee, and Andrews said industry contacts viewed the proposal as a signal that Kentucky is open to investment.
Members generally expressed support for the bill and its goals, while asking about taxpayer exposure, site size, permitting, grid needs, national security, and reactor technology. Carroll said the state’s direct commitment would be capped at $75 million, with any additional cost recovery depending on PSC approval and project specifics. He said small modular reactor sites would be much smaller than traditional plants, and described a model in which a utility partners with a developer and a data center, with power contracts helping offset costs over decades. On security and technology, Carroll and Andrews said newer reactors would still be subject to the same standards as larger units, and Andrews explained that next-generation designs may use different fuels and materials such as TRISO and high-assay low-enriched uranium. No vote on the bill was taken in the portion provided, and the chair noted time limits and that additional members still had questions, including one witness expected to speak against the measure.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- and the State of Hawaii fringe rate.
- state of Hawaii furn rate well thank you state of Hawaii furn rate well thank you for<00:13:46.360
- For civil service, the rate is 28%, but overall we have a 30% vacancy rate.
- study this is now the the we did a rate study this is now the the rate<01:13:48.600>
adjustment or the mirror of the um vaccination rate or the mirror of the um vaccination rate decline<01:31:
Summary:
The joint Ways and Means and Health and Human Services committees heard Hawaii Health Systems Corporation’s biennium budget request, with testimony from HHSC leadership on the Hilo/Big Island region (HTH 212) and the Oahu region (HTH 215), plus discussion of capital improvement projects and systemwide partnerships. HHSC described its role as the rural healthcare safety net, serving a high share of Medicare, Medicaid/Quest, and uninsured patients, and said its costs are elevated by state employee fringe benefits, which it said are about 64% compared with roughly 30% in the private sector. HHSC also said pandemic-era federal aid, including relief funds and PPP loans totaling about $100 million, reduced the need for general fund support in prior years.
For HTH 212, HHSC said its general fund request for fiscal years 2026 and 2027 was higher than the governor’s recommendation because of rising insurance, pharmaceutical, and contractor labor costs, and because it includes $13.2 million in FY 2026 and $2.3 million in FY 2027 for Epic electronic medical record implementation in East Hawaii. For HTH 215, HHSC said the requested general funds were aligned with the governor’s recommendation, in part because of increased Medicaid reimbursement rates for long-term care facilities under prior legislation. HHSC also said it was restoring a special fund ceiling so the region could spend its cash collections on operations.
Members asked about the 64% fringe rate, and HHSC explained the difference was mainly due to defined-benefit pension and retiree health insurance costs, which private hospitals generally do not bear at the same level. Members also asked about the Daniel K. Akaka State Veterans Home, and HHSC said operations would be funded through the general fund corporation for the home when it opens, with management by Ohana Pacific, but no additional legislative operating funds were being requested at that time. Other questions focused on staffing and vacancies, including an abolished procurement position and an ongoing IT help desk recruitment need.
HHSC highlighted several capital and partnership projects, including a $25 million state CIP request matched by $25 million from the Benioff family for the Benioff Health Center, an ER expansion and reconfiguration at Corner Community Hospital, and $7.5 million in each fiscal year for Kauai EMR capital funds to join the Epic platform. Testimony also described collaborations with Queen’s, the University of California San Francisco, Hawaii Pacific Health, the Hawaii Cancer Consortium, the Department of Health, and the state hospital to improve specialty access, clinical trials, behavioral health, and patient placement across the system.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Health Care Financing Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Health Care Financing
Transcript Highlights:
- I'm here about three issues, and I'll talk particularly about rate setting for home care.
- It doesn't set a rate, but it requires more reasonable accommodation of the actual cost of providing
- During the pandemic, we saw vacancy rates upwards of 30% at group homes that provide traumatic...
- I've been there for over 15 years, and in that time I've seen the PNA's rate stay stagnant.
- I've been there for over 15 years, and in that time I've seen the PNA's rate stay stagnant.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing focused largely on senior long-term care issues, family caregiving, post-acute care access, and direct care workforce pay. Testimony strongly supported bills to raise the personal needs allowance for nursing home and rest home residents (including H. 1411, S. 482, and related bills), with speakers from Mass Senior Action, Dignity Alliance, nursing home residents, providers, and former state officials arguing that the current $72.80 monthly allowance has been unchanged since 2008 and is inadequate for basic items like clothing, toiletries, haircuts, and transportation. Witnesses also backed bills to increase MassHealth asset and income limits for seniors and to stop counting life insurance as cash, describing the current rules as outdated and harmful to low-income elders.
The committee also heard testimony on bills allowing family members, including spouses and guardians, to be paid caregivers (H. 1394/S. 886), with supporters saying this would help families keep loved ones at home and reduce reliance on costly institutional care. Another set of bills (H. 1412/S. 903) drew support from a physician who said clearer MassHealth communication and improved post-acute care determination processes would help reduce delays and backlogs for patients awaiting skilled nursing, rehabilitation, or other post-acute placement. Several speakers emphasized that better home- and community-based care can prevent hospital readmissions and support independence.
A major portion of the hearing focused on S. 877, which would establish an enhanced care worker minimum wage of $25 per hour, indexed to inflation, for certain home care and human services workers. Union representatives and direct care workers from SEIU Local 509, 1199 SEIU, and the AFL-CIO described severe staffing shortages, burnout, low wages, and high turnover across home care, mental health, disability services, and crisis response. They argued that higher pay is necessary to recruit and retain workers and to stabilize services for vulnerable residents. Committee members asked about costs, comparisons with other states, and whether non-wage incentives could help, but witnesses repeatedly said wages were the central issue. The hearing concluded after all registered testimony was heard, with the committee noting it would continue accepting written testimony and then adjourning.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Budget and Fiscal Review Committee May 5th, 2026
Budget and Fiscal Review
Transcript Highlights:
- I want to ask you about reimbursement rates for Medi-Cal.
- Medi-Cal reimbursement rates haven't been touched in years.
- Because Medi-Cal reimbursement rates are less than 70% on the dollar?
- Again, Proposition 35 included rate increases.
- The root cause is reimbursement rates.
Summary:
The subcommittee heard Assembly Bill 108, a budget bill junior that would amend the 2025 Budget Act to provide a one-time $25 million General Fund grant program through HCAI for hospitals in immediate and significant financial distress. Finance explained that eligible hospitals would need to show less than 10 days cash on hand, best efforts to exhaust other financing, a payer mix of more than 50% government payers and uninsured patients, and nonprofit status. The bill also included a technical change related to property tax deferments for eligible low-income seniors, plus expedited contracting and rulemaking authority so HCAI could move funds quickly.
Most of the discussion focused on whether the amount and eligibility standard were sufficient, how many hospitals might qualify, and whether the state was addressing the underlying causes of hospital distress. Members raised concerns about limited and lagging data, the 10-day threshold, fairness compared with the earlier Distressed Hospital Loan Program, and whether hospitals receiving grants should be required to maintain services. Several members cited broader pressures such as Medi-Cal reimbursement rates, seismic retrofit costs, federal policy changes, and the need for loan forgiveness or a more comprehensive hospital support plan in the next budget cycle. The LAO noted that the bill was intentionally narrow and short-term, while the administration said the grant was meant as a bridge until July 1 and that more extensive discussions would continue with the May Revision and the 2026 budget.
Public commenters from the California Hospital Association, district hospital leaders, Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and county representatives supported the measure and urged additional longer-term funding for distressed hospitals. After discussion, Senator Richardson moved the bill, the committee voted unanimously in favor, and AB 108 passed 18-0, with the roll held open briefly to secure remaining votes.