Video & Transcript Research : 'abortion data'

Page 175 of 500
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Health Committee Meeting - 2026-03-25

Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • criteria to analyze real-world data. criteria to analyze real-world data.
  • New data from the ADA shows that obesity increases annual Medicaid costs by approximately $3,800 per
  • New<01:01:11.240> data<01:01:11.520> from<01:01:11.680> the<01:01:11.800> ADA
  • Do you have any data on that?
  • Do you have any data on that? Representative Nadol. Yeah, thank you, Mr.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • I'll also end by reminding you that if abortion is your main concern, there is already an exemption in
  • I'll also end by reminding you that if abortion is your main concern, there is already an exemption in
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The Senate Standing Committee on Health Services met with a quorum and first moved through administrative regulations without comment. The committee then heard Senate Bill 56, sponsored by Senator Gerald Neal, which would require Medicaid and its managed care entities to treat non-opioid pain medications on equal footing with opioid analgesics by prohibiting more restrictive coverage controls, prior authorization, or step therapy for non-opioids. Neal argued the bill would improve access to safer pain treatment options and reduce the risk of opioid use disorder, and Billy O'Brien of Young People in Recovery testified in support, describing personal experiences where non-opioid options were difficult to obtain despite a desire to avoid opioids. After discussion, the bill received a motion and second and passed the committee on a 10-0 vote. The committee then took up Senate Bill 72, sponsored by Senator Don Douglas and presented with Greg Chaffin of Alliance Defending Freedom. Douglas described the bill as a provider recruitment and retention measure intended to protect health care workers from being compelled to act against their conscience and to address workforce shortages and pressure in health care settings. He said the bill would protect individual beliefs while maintaining professionalism. A large number of witnesses then testified, and the chair limited public comments to two minutes each because of the number of speakers and the controversy surrounding the bill. Most public testimony opposed SB 72. Speakers including representatives of the Kentucky Council of Churches, a psychologist, an ordained minister and nurse, a nurse practitioner, and an ACLU policy strategist argued the bill was overly broad, could allow refusals of care by a wide range of health care workers, and could delay or deny treatment, especially for vulnerable patients and in rural or emergency settings. Several cited concerns about discrimination, patient safety, and the lack of adequate protections for patients. One witness recounted the death of an 18-year-old pregnant patient as an example of the harm that can result from delayed care. The transcript ends during additional testimony on SB 72, before any committee vote or final action on that bill is shown.