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• training program.
• > loan program this program provides loan program this program provides loan repayment<00:47:15.720
• for this program um this is a program for this program um this is a program that<01:01:49.160>
• grant program um this another program grant program um this another program we've<01:09:56.920><
• This program is available for students who are attending a comprehensive transition program, a CTP program

Keywords: 1183, house

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• We also utilize currently the MSB platform for data management services for Medicaid to Schools program
• for Medicaid to Schools program, and we only input students who have a medically necessary service and
• the service delivery, but also the legal, federal, and state requirements for the program.
• the service delivery, but also the legal, federal, and state requirements for the program.
• OT can order OT services and services.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee opened its second meeting on House Bill 742, which would require catastrophic special education aid to be drawn from the education trust fund, and discussed whether to also examine differentiated aid within the adequacy formula. The chair said the committee had previously heard from HHS/Medicaid officials and now wanted to hear from local special education directors about how the aid system works in practice, including billing, training, data collection, and whether districts handle claims consistently. Members also referenced Arkansas as a possible comparison state and said they hoped to develop ideas by November to address the current funding process. Committee members focused on the current special education aid thresholds and the impact of proration. The chair described the existing formula as requiring districts to absorb costs up to 3.5 times the state average per student, with the state paying 80% from 3.5 times through 10 times and paying above that, and said FY25 appropriated about $34 million while actual claims were about $50.1 million, leaving roughly a $16 million shortfall that caused proration. Members also raised the possibility of lowering the threshold to 2.5 times and asked how that would affect the number of eligible students and costs. Another member asked about how districts decide whether services are education-related or medical-related and how Medicaid or private insurance reimbursement affects later state aid claims. District representatives from Boothby Therapy Services, Bedford, and Guilford introduced themselves and described their roles. Guilford’s director said the district tracks students with paraprofessional support, nurses, transportation, or specialized programming, uses a data system to log every service touchpoint, and tries to maximize both Medicaid and special education aid; she said a lower threshold would likely capture all students with paras or nurses and that rising staffing and service costs would increase the number of students over the cap. Bedford’s assistant director said the district uses a different system, tracks roughly 60 to 80 students a year, and pursues Medicaid and special education aid simultaneously but does not pursue private insurance if it would affect FAPE; she said reducing the threshold to 2.5 times would likely double the number of qualifying students. Members asked follow-up questions about software, data entry, and how districts decide whether to bill Medicaid or seek state catastrophic aid, and the directors explained that their systems log services by staff type and student, with some districts using the same data for both Medicaid and state reimbursement claims.

Transcript Highlights:

• Is there any kind of services that mandate that someone has to be in these programs?
• What is the program? What is the name of that program?
• Services funding and it has to be a pilot program that's compliant with the requirements of that act
• Those include juvenile justice, behavioral health services for children, as well as program support.
• But you have to look at the array of programs and services that we now have available to families that

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• We do it's a very lowcost service.
• programs, and a mental health services programs, and a mental health services researcher.<00:07:
• these programs for bipolar disorder. these programs for bipolar disorder.
• Uh, members discussion Representative Hicks. services. Thank you for the opportunity services.
• . services. services.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• and arts programming, cultural programming, language learning opportunities, and shared meals, but are
• On top of that, the Department of Health Care Services regulates their mental health programs, which
• If a program is not meeting those standards, the Department of Health Care Services can issue a notice
• does not have the services.
• You'll remember that we started a program funding immigration services called One California, but in

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, this creates a pool of money, a grant program to allow those services to get at least a And what
• So, this creates a pool of money, a grant program to allow those services to get at least a that.
• It updates the current volunteer ambulance reimbursement program to reach more ambulance services and
• <00:42:54.640> services,<00:42:55.119> Madam pay for those services. services, Madam
• So, with this program, eligible applicants include any licensed service who can prove an operational

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These activities can include work, a work program, community service, at least half-time enrollment in
• services.
• There are some services, depending on the hospital type and the service delivered, some services are
• program, the detrimental nature.
• program, the detrimental nature.

Summary: The joint informational hearing focused on the impacts of H.R. 1 on California’s Medi-Cal program and on community health effects from recent immigration enforcement actions. Committee leaders said H.R. 1 would sharply reduce federal funding, increase administrative burdens, and worsen access to care, especially for Medi-Cal enrollees, immigrant families, rural communities, and reproductive health patients. The second half of the hearing examined how ICE raids and related federal actions are creating fear, reducing clinic and emergency department use, and disrupting children’s access to schools and early childhood education. Department of Health Care Services Director Michelle Bass outlined the main H.R. 1 provisions affecting Medi-Cal: work requirements, semiannual eligibility redeterminations, shorter retroactive coverage, new cost-sharing, limits on provider taxes and state-directed payments, reduced federal support for emergency and lawful immigrant coverage, and a one-year ban on Medicaid funding for prohibited abortion providers. She estimated millions could lose coverage, with tens of billions of dollars in federal funding at risk. Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California warned the defunding provision could force clinic closures, service reductions, and loss of access to family planning, STI testing, and cancer screenings. The California Hospital Association said the financing changes could cut hospital revenue by tens of billions over 10 years and threaten access, especially for rural and safety-net hospitals. The Western Center on Law and Poverty argued the law would increase churn, paperwork, and uninsured rates, disproportionately harming working adults and people experiencing homelessness. Committee members asked about implementation timelines, notification systems, administrative costs, the effect on immigrant eligibility, and whether California could delay or mitigate some provisions. Bass said the state was still assessing federal guidance, planning county and provider outreach, and exploring a possible delay for work requirements and a transition period for provider-tax changes. Members also discussed how state budget actions may need to be revisited in light of H.R. 1, and how California might preserve access through state-only funding or other policy changes. In the second panel, CHIRLA, Los Angeles County Department of Health Services, and the Children’s Partnership described the health consequences of immigration enforcement. Speakers said raids and data-sharing fears are causing anxiety, trauma, and avoidance of care, with Los Angeles County reporting declines in emergency, urgent care, and clinic visits after enforcement actions. The Children’s Partnership said school and early childhood absences are rising in some communities and that enforcement is undermining children’s emotional well-being and access to education. Members asked for more data and discussed possible state protections, telehealth, mobile care, and legal and policy responses to reduce fear and preserve access to health and education services.

Transcript Highlights:

• And so, in the future, will there be funds available for this type of program, jury pilot program?
• The contracting out of mental health services, medical services.
• , victim services programs, are really the core of public safety.
• We support the right grant program for rehabilitative programming in CDCR.
• rights-affirming services.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is a federally authorized program that covers a narrower set of emergency services for individuals
• It also runs our certificate of public need program, our COPN program.
• At present, about 23 states are talking about how they're changing services in their Ryan White program
• At present, about 23 states are talking about how they're changing services in their Rion White program
• That's cost to the program.

Keywords: House Room C, General Assembly Building, 976, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• , the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, $11 million to improve care facilities and essential services for
• , the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, $11 million to improve care facilities and essential services for
• The program has since grown to a $4 billion program over the years.
• programs, which I struggle with every day, but great job with the social services estimating conference
• programming, waiver programs, why are we not including... ...programming waiver programs, why are we

Summary: The Senate began with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then moved into floor consideration of the 2026-2027 budget. Appropriations Chair Hooper presented Senate Bill 2500, describing a $115 billion budget that reduces overall spending from the prior year, maintains reserves, and includes a 3% pay raise for state employees and 5% raises for state law enforcement, firefighters, correctional officers, and park rangers. Committee chairs then outlined major spending in their areas, including K-12 education, higher education, health and human services, criminal and civil justice, transportation/tourism/economic development, and environmental and agricultural programs. Highlights included increased funding for school scholarships and safety, workforce and university programs, Medicaid and child welfare, corrections operations, affordable housing, rural communities, Everglades and water quality projects, and infrastructure. Members then asked detailed questions about several budget items. Senators sought clarification on the Emergency Management Trust Fund, arts and cultural grants, Florida Forever land acquisition versus conservation easements, teacher salaries, charter school capital outlay funding, EASE grants, New College funding, DOC inmate counts and reimbursement, lottery staffing, concealed weapons licensing positions, election security funding, iBudget waiver support, ADAP funding, Medicaid hospital rate reductions, and scholarship and enrollment supplements in K-12 education. Chairs explained that some reductions reflected technical shifts or right-sizing, that some funds were being moved below the line for better tracking, and that several items—such as ADAP and corrections operations—would likely remain conference issues with the House. After questions, the Senate substituted House bills for the budget and implementing measures and adopted amendments placing the Senate language onto the House vehicles to prepare for conference. The chamber passed the budget-related bills and several conforming measures, including bills on retirement, fuel taxes, the state agency law enforcement radio system, court trust funds, judgeships, and K-12 and higher education conforming changes. Votes on the major bills were overwhelmingly unanimous or near-unanimous, and the Senate repeatedly voted to accede to the House’s request for conference on the substituted bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• The worry around whether we will be able to provide services through our trio programs if those grants
• For UC alone, this represents more than $12 million that would have supported services, programs, and
• Students rely on programs and services that create safety and belonging.
• Students rely on programs and services that create safety and belonging, such as basic needs centers,
• Santa Cruz with impacts to 11 student service initiatives, as well as a $2.4 million cut to a program

Summary: The Assembly Higher Education Committee held an oversight hearing on how federal actions are affecting California higher education, with opening remarks from the chair and members emphasizing the importance of state-federal shared governance and the need to protect access, affordability, and campus diversity. The first panel included leaders from the CSU, University of the Pacific, California Community Colleges, and UC, who described broad impacts from federal grant terminations, changes to student aid, loan limits, visa and immigration policy, and proposed reductions to research support. Testimony focused on the elimination of Grad PLUS loans, caps on Parent PLUS and Pell-related changes, the loss or suspension of hundreds of grants, and the resulting harm to student support services, research, workforce pipelines, food assistance, and health care training. UC and CSU representatives warned of major losses in research funding, indirect cost reimbursement, and student opportunities, while community college leaders highlighted uncertainty around federal grants and the need to maintain services for low-income, first-generation, undocumented, and other vulnerable students. Committee members asked how the state could respond, including through intersegmental partnerships, dual enrollment, transfer pathways, and support for basic needs and nutrition programs. Witnesses said California could help by sustaining financial aid, protecting minority-serving institution programs, and investing in research, housing, and workforce development. Several speakers stressed that federal changes were creating instability for students and campuses, and that the effects would likely be long-lasting, especially in health care, teaching, STEM, and social work pipelines. A second panel then focused on equitable access. The California Student Aid Commission described state efforts such as the $3.9 billion investment in aid programs, the Cal Grant system, the Dream Act, and possible reforms to better serve adult learners, foster youth, undocumented students, and students with dependents. The Los Angeles Community College District reported that federal cuts and policy shifts are discouraging students from applying for aid, threatening TRIO and MSI/HSI-funded services, and reducing support for basic needs, counseling, and workforce programs. The Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities and the CSU Academic Senate echoed concerns about FAFSA confusion, international student restrictions, grant losses, and the erosion of equity-focused programs. No formal votes or legislative actions were taken during the hearing; the committee primarily received testimony and discussed possible state responses.

Transcript Highlights:

• In our special court services, this is our third program budget.
• Every district has a pretrial services program, and the ones that do vary in how much money they have
• We are a three-county district with a single pretrial services program director.
• Committee members, like Felix said, the Executive recommended 232.6 for the new Pre-Trial Services Program
• So we are asking for $232,600 to implement our pre-trial services program, whether it's through the Executive

Transcript Highlights:

• as to program utilization, setting approval timelines. associated with backlog Service uh associated
• program uh in questions as to program program uh in questions as to program utilization<00:05:22.280
• fund the cost of services.
• While Medicaid waiver programs fund the cost of services, these dollars cannot be used to support the
• Medicaid waiver programs fund the cost<00:52:56.640> of<00:52:56.760> services<00:52:57.359

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And that's a two-year program? It's one year in the residency and one-year payback program.
• Ours is a two-year program.
• as the Student Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program, the HRSA Health Service Corps, and now the Mass
• services.
• programs, substance use disorder services, affordable housing, and, most importantly, outpatient mental

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on a large docket focused on primary care, workforce development, and medical debt. Chairs Cindy Friedman and John Lawn outlined hearing procedures and noted that testimony would be taken on 17 matters. The committee first heard testimony on bills to establish a community health center nurse practitioner residency program and to strengthen mental health centers. Senator Keenan, Rep. Keefe, and health center leaders described the Worcester nurse practitioner residency as a successful pipeline and retention strategy, citing workforce shortages, training needs in community health centers, and the cost of the program. Rep. O’Day also supported the mental health centers bill, saying it would raise payment rates, improve reimbursement for behavioral health services, and help clinics retain staff and expand access. The committee then took testimony on bills to address medical debt through hospital financial assistance reform. The Attorney General’s Office, Health Care for All, Health Law Advocates, the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and individual patients supported the measure, arguing that hospital financial assistance policies are inconsistent, hard to find, and difficult to navigate. Witnesses said the bill would standardize eligibility criteria, create a uniform application, improve notice requirements, and expand access to discounted care up to 400% of the federal poverty level. Several personal stories described medical bills being sent to collections, confusion over insurance billing, and the burden of debt on low-income and chronically ill patients. Committee members asked about hospital concerns, the role of the health safety net, and whether the bill addressed root causes of medical debt; testimony emphasized that the proposal was meant to improve transparency and access rather than replace broader insurance reforms. The hearing also focused heavily on “Primary Care for You” legislation, H. 1370 and S. 867, which would increase primary care investment and create a new payment model. Rep. Haggerty, physicians, a patient, community health center leaders, and the Massachusetts League of Community Health Centers described a primary care crisis marked by low reimbursement, staffing shortages, long waits, burnout, and difficulty recruiting clinicians. Supporters said the bills would shift spending toward preventive, team-based care, improve access and equity, and reduce long-term costs. The Massachusetts Association of Health Plans said it was directionally supportive of increased primary care investment but warned that any new spending must stay within the cost growth benchmark and preserve existing contracting structures. The hearing ended with additional testimony on a community health center workforce and loan repayment grant bill from Rep. Stanley, and with further discussion from Dr. Alan Garo about the need for payment reform in primary care.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Health Care Authority was authorized by the federal 1115 Medicaid waiver program to provide services
• Under the 2024 corrections department, it's to expand re-entry services, treatment programs, housing
• So, for fee-for-service, of course, fee-for-service is our smaller program, largely served by Native
• Medicaid programs to both fee-for-service and managed care.
• about different programs, different evidence-based practices, different services.

Transcript Highlights:

• programs<00:25:39.039> and<00:25:39.279> services.
• <00:25:39.840> In<00:25:40.080> order<00:25:40.240> to programs and services
• In order to programs and services.
• So, one of our efforts to help ourselves, if you will, is we've got our programs and services.
• Commissioner, Programs and Services for Commissioner, Programs and Services for the<00:56:53.520>

Keywords: 1183, house

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• Working Waterfront Program, and over $100 million for the DEP land acquisition program.
• automated audit program.
• the IDD program.
• is that if you are accepted into that program and start to receive services, and If you are accepted
• into that program and start to receive services, and if at any point an individual decides that they

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So it's a grant program.
• What type of reporting do they have to make so we know what kind of programs are servicing?
• programs, and mass casualty programs.
• Due to our increase in membership, provide customer service as a benefit specialist. and program specialist
• Trustee. programs.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

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• work program, and CNM's nursing program.
• to support faculty: UNM's education program, social work programs at ENMU, NMSU, and Highlands. and
• Just quickly, is the UNM program a one-year or a two-year program for social work?
• This also gets back to the Medicaid program. Do we have appropriate behavioral health services?
• services, I would say...

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• I will tell you that people in programs will not lose their services and waivers.
• <00:37:57.600> program work, our day support service program work, our day support service
• I am the program services director at Reach for Resources.
• I am the program services services services uh<00:58:13.160> director<00:58:13.640> at<
• <01:07:05.680> program, chooses to attend a day service program, chooses to attend a day service

Keywords: 1187, senate, all