Transcript Highlights:

• SERVICES THAT ARE COVERED FOR BOTH MEDICARE AND MEDICAID SERVICES INCLUDE ACUTE CARE SERVICES, ALL DAY
• ALL SERVICES ARE PROVIDED BY THE PACE SERVICE ORGANIZATION TO PROVIDE EFFECTIVE CARE COORDINATION AND
• , SOCIAL SERVICES, BEHAVIORAL SERVICES, THERAPEUTIC SERVICES, RESIDENTIAL SERVICES, AND MEDICAL SERVICES
• AND THERE IS BASICALLY NO COVERAGE FOR ADULT DENTAL SERVICES BESIDE EMERGENCY DENTAL SERVICES.
• SERVICE ORGANIZATION SERVICE OFFICERS NEED TO SUPPORT VETERANS. BOTTOM LEFT IS OUR HOPE NAVIGATORS.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Direct client services, sorry. Direct client services were streamlined into HHSC.
• , the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Department of Health and Human Services.
• The Department of Assistive and Rehabilitative Services and Client Services at DSHS.
• of services. services that they need.
• Conservatorship services in conservatorship services. The child is actually removed.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• What is the taxable service?
• personal services.
• Personal services, funeral services, and auto repair and maintenance.
• > services.
• , remote services, out of state services, remote services, out of state services, you<01:21:36.159

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The Health and Human Services Medical Services Division The Health and Human Services Medical Services
• So we can say we have a service, but if it's not filled, you don't have a service.
• So we can say we have a service, but if it's not filled, you don't have a service.
• services.
• services. at what services are designed at the community level for residential services for D.D. children

Summary: The committee first heard an update on North Dakota’s Interagency Council on Homelessness and Continuum of Care funding. Jennifer Henderson of the North Dakota Housing Finance Agency reported that homelessness remains driven by tight housing markets, low incomes, rising rents, and barriers to rental assistance, public benefits, and disability determinations. She said the state’s one-time North Dakota Homeless Grant is serving all regions but reaches far fewer households than the former Rent Help program, and that aging homelessness, shelter staffing shortages, and limited affordable units are growing concerns. Members discussed the need for more housing supply, better coordination with Health and Human Services, landlord engagement, reentry housing, and possible continued one-time funding for the $10 million Homeless Grant and $25 million Housing Incentive Fund. Henderson also warned that federal Continuum of Care funding is uncertain, with HUD expected to issue a new notice June 1 and possible shifts away from permanent supportive housing toward transitional housing and other models. The committee then took testimony on accessibility of government services for people who are blind, visually impaired, deaf, or hard of hearing. Paul Olson of North Dakota Vision Services School for the Blind described the school’s services for infants, children, and adults, including screenings, mobility training, assistive technology, and outreach across the state. He said the agency works closely with Vocational Rehabilitation and is also involved in improving website and document accessibility, especially for PDF materials. Public testimony highlighted barriers such as inaccessible CAPTCHA systems, online forms, driver’s license requirements on job applications, and limited transportation in rural areas. A deaf resident urged broader use of video remote interpreting and video relay services, along with training so people know how to use them effectively. Finally, Kay Larson presented the final report on the child care provider licensing study. The report recommended streamlining North Dakota’s child care licensing structure into three provider types plus a preschool designation, while preserving health and safety standards and maintaining eligibility for child care assistance. The committee discussed simplifying training and qualification rules, revising ratio and group-size requirements, and adjusting age bands for infants and toddlers. The report also noted that some changes would require statutory amendments and later administrative rule changes, with a transition period likely extending through 2029. No formal votes were taken in the transcript, but the committee accepted the updates and scheduled follow-up presentations for a later meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• Thank you. heard in Human Services. heard in Human Services.
• Services. Services.
• I am the program services services services uh<00:58:13.160> director<00:58:13.640> at<
• Um, so under our Medicaid funding services, day support services, pre-vocational services, and all of
• where services or development services where services or development services where they<01:46

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• autism services.
• Department of Human Services. Department of Human Services.
• services that our taxes fund. services that our taxes fund.
• EIDBI a high-risk service. EIDBI a high-risk service.
• need these services. need these services.

Bills: HF3542

Keywords: data privacy, investigative data, welfare system, public funds, transparency, 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• This is the Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Human Services hearing on human services issues.
• , legal services, and more.
• We need detention and deportation services. Moreover, we need to provide navigation services.
• truly servicing the pilot.
• an immigrant seeking services.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• services in the Senate. services in the Senate. All<00:02:58.239> right.
• services technical assistance language. services technical assistance language.
• On page services.
• service service standards.<00:27:20.400> On<00:27:20.640> page standards.
• from the Department of Human Services. from the Department of Human Services.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We are not reducing services.
• those services for people.
• We think Department of Health Care Services and Social Services is a better model.
• services.
• setting or service type.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because those are the dollars that can be rolled back into services, whether it be career services, training
• They don't apply for services.
• Number two is the integrated service.
• Because one of, you know, we talk about workforce services here, but also, you know, human services,
• by state employees who provide those services.

Summary: The committee met to hear consultants Mason Bishop and Cameron Christie discuss Arkansas’s “one door/no wrong door” workforce and social services modernization effort. Bishop argued that the current system is fragmented across multiple agencies, offices, and portals, making it hard for job seekers and employers to access services efficiently. He said the goal is to create a more integrated system that promotes upward mobility, longer labor force attachment, better employer access to talent, greater efficiency, and faster adaptation to changes such as AI and other economic disruptions. Bishop repeatedly pointed to Utah as a model, describing how that state combined workforce and public assistance functions into a single agency, used statewide cost allocation to blend funding streams, and improved customer service and outcomes after reform. He said Arkansas should consider integrating governance, service delivery, and financing, including possible waivers, a statewide cost allocation plan, and a benefits-cliff pilot. He also said Arkansas’s current local workforce board structure creates duplication and weak coordination, and that Launch is a useful tool but not a full service-delivery system. Committee members asked how the proposal would work in practice, including whether TANF could be used to cross-train DHS workers, how federal waivers might be obtained, how local boards would be affected, and how disabled clients would be handled. Bishop said TANF should be treated as part of a workforce strategy, that federal pilot authority for workforce reform nearly passed but did not, and that waivers are now the practical path. He also said Arkansas could either merge functions more fully or at minimum co-locate workforce staff in DHS offices statewide. No votes were taken; the meeting ended with plans to continue the discussion in August, including a focus on case management and whether the state is managing programs or people.

Transcript Highlights:

• Health homes and fee for service Health homes and fee for service hospital<00:08:49.560> inpatient
• <00:19:21.880> we Lighthouse Child and Family Services we Lighthouse Child and Family Services
• <00:19:28.080> services programming and outpatient services programming and outpatient services
• <00:20:30.520> has Children's Mental Health Services has Children's Mental Health Services
• it sounds like it's equivalent service it sounds like it's equivalent service so<00:26:15.840>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: House File 105 was presented by Representatives Beerman and Baker and then laid over for possible inclusion in a future omnibus bill. The bill would implement the remaining mental health and physician service recommendations from DHS’s rate study, including raising certain Medicaid reimbursement rates to at least 100% of Medicare where a Medicare equivalent exists, increasing community-based children’s and adult mental health rates and behavioral health home rates, and phasing in additional increases over three years. The authors said the proposal also addresses master’s-level clinician reimbursement and fee-for-service hospital inpatient mental health services, and they emphasized that the changes are intended to improve access, transparency, and provider stability. Both authors argued that low MA reimbursement rates are driving access problems across Minnesota, especially for children, families, and rural communities. They said providers are struggling to hire and retain staff, clinics are closing or shrinking, and patients are facing long waits, boarding in hospitals, or delayed care. Representative Baker said the issue is personal and described the bill as a phased, long-term approach because of state budget limits and the size of the cost, which he said is in the hundreds of millions but still awaiting a fiscal note. Public testimony was strongly supportive overall. A family physician said higher rates would improve access, keep clinics open, and help patients avoid emergency care, while a Children’s Minnesota mental health leader described more than 1,200 pediatric boarding episodes in 2024 and said outpatient investment is needed to reduce pressure on emergency and inpatient services. A rural provider said her organization had to close an in-home children’s mental health program because of insufficient reimbursement, harming access in underserved counties. A psychologist testifying for the Minnesota Psychological Association supported the bill’s general direction but objected to repealing the pay differential for doctoral-level psychologists, arguing that doctoral training is more extensive and that eliminating the differential could worsen workforce shortages. After testimony and member questions about the bill’s scope and cost, public testimony was closed and the bill was laid over.

Transcript Highlights:

• Number nine, DHS Division of Aging and Adults and Behavioral Health Services with ATA Services.
• Number 9, DHS Division of Aging and Adults and Behavioral Health Services with ATA Services.
• Number 15, DHS with SHC Services.
• Senator Rice, Number 22, Shared Services. Someone with Shared Services here?"
• Janitorial Services. This is for janitorial services at the Department of Health.

Keywords: 1204, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It adds $70,000 to the contract, and it's for professional service fees for pharmacist services.
• for DCFS clients in specific service areas.
• So what is warranty service? Testing and comprehensive warranty service and support.
• So what is warranty service?
• This is for medical monitoring services.

Summary: The subcommittee first considered a used tire program contract for Arkansas District 4, an $88,000 one-year contract with LTR Intermediate Holdings. Senators raised concerns that the tire district’s revised business plan had not yet been approved and that the contract could leave the district unable to pay. Questions also focused on solicitation language that excluded bidders under corrective action plans. On motion, the committee held the contract until next month and encouraged the tire board to appear. Members then reviewed and, without objection, moved forward a series of methods of finance, alternative delivery projects, and discretionary grants. These included multiple university and college projects such as renovations, roof replacements, a new UCA multipurpose arena, and a revised financing package for UA Fayetteville’s Maple Hill residence hall. The committee also reviewed DHS and Department of Health grants for aging services, substance abuse prevention, mental health, nutrition outreach, hearing-loss follow-up, HIV services, maternal health, and rural hospital quality improvement. The committee next handled contract items, including a UAMS ratification for FMLA Source after an amendment was not submitted for review and payments continued past expiration; UAMS said it had retrained staff and would review for other missed contracts. Members also reviewed numerous construction, intergovernmental, out-of-state, and in-state contracts across state agencies and universities. Questions were raised about an out-of-state aeronautics study, a U of A Fayetteville parking guidance system, and a Veterans Affairs nursing contract. Most items were reviewed without objection, and the meeting adjourned after informational reports on contract amendments and minor contracts.

Transcript Highlights:

• Of Child Support Services.
• Long-term services and supports, including home and community-based services, are not impacted.
• We do have a Medi-Cal fee-for-service fee schedule for payment rates in the fee-for-service delivery
• fee-for-service delivery system.
• Emergency services.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The subcommittee first heard May Revision items for child support, child care, and related human services. The Department of Child Support Services described two technical adjustments, which the LAO said raised no concerns. The Department of Social Services then walked through child care proposals, including a shift in how federal and Proposition 64 funding reductions would be absorbed, a 2.01% COLA, disaster-related child care infrastructure grants, an increase in in-contract administrative support costs for alternative payment agencies, reversion of prospective-pay implementation funding after a federal rule change, a one-time allocation to cover the first quarter of Cost of Care Plus payments in the next fiscal year, reappropriation for existing infrastructure grant closeout work, and estimates of unspent child care funds. The department also outlined trailer bill language on a single rate structure, site safety and emergency procedures, CalWORKs child care data sharing, and child care oversight. The LAO recommended that the Legislature seek more justification for shifting reductions from General Child Care to the Alternative Payment Program, noting that CAP reductions affect more slots and that General Child Care has had significant unspent funds. It supported removing prospective-pay funding, but recommended rejecting the administrative cost shift to a percentage-based rate because it could create future General Fund pressure. It also suggested the Legislature review alignment between the disaster grants and the child care infrastructure program. Senators and members pressed the administration on why the budget would reduce child care slots and COLA percentages while the state still has waitlists and unspent funds, and questioned the need for early funding of Cost of Care Plus payments and the move from a flat administrative amount to a percentage. Public commenters, including providers, advocates, county offices, and infrastructure partners, urged full COLA funding, preservation of child care slots, support for prospective pay, and continued investment in child care access and facilities. After a short recess, the committee moved to Part B on health and heard the Department of State Hospitals. DSH presented a May Revision budget of $3.2 billion and described proposals for a central utility plant replacement at Metropolitan State Hospital, an electronic health record implementation, reduced county bed billing authority due to phased-in LPS bed capacity, limited contract exemption authority for online clinical subscriptions, reversion of prior-year unspent operating funds, and a workforce development proposal shifting some costs to Behavioral Health Services Act funds, including support for an additional psychiatric training cohort at Napa. The department also outlined IST-related savings and a trailer bill to remove the sunset on the independent placement panel program.

Transcript Highlights:

• It adds $70,000 to the contract, and it's for professional service fees for pharmacist services.
• This is a new $1 million contract for intensive in-home services for DCFS clients in specific service
• So what is warranty service?
• This is for medical monitoring services.
• Number 25, UA with Starlight Building Services.

Summary: The committee first considered an $88,000 used tire program contract for District 4 with LTR Intermediate Holdings. Senators raised concerns that the tire district’s revised business plan had not yet been approved and that the contract could worsen cash flow before funding was confirmed. Questions were also raised about procurement language in the RFP that excluded bidders under corrective action plans. After discussion, a motion was made and approved to hold the contract until next month so the tire board could appear and answer questions. Members then reviewed a large slate of methods of finance, alternative delivery projects, and discretionary grants. These included capital projects at ASU Mid-South, Arkansas Tech, Ozarka, UA Fayetteville, UA Little Rock, UAMS, and UCA; a new UCA multi-purpose arena project estimated at $75.5 million; and DHS and Department of Health grants for aging services, substance abuse prevention, mental health, nutrition, hearing-loss follow-up, HIV services, and rural hospital quality improvement. All of these items were reviewed without objection. The committee also heard a ratification request from UAMS for a Family and Medical Leave Act outsourcing contract with FMLA Source. UAMS said an amendment had been prepared but never submitted for review, and payments continued after expiration; members expressed frustration and asked UAMS to review whether other contracts had similarly lapsed. The committee then reviewed numerous construction-related, intergovernmental, out-of-state, and in-state contracts, including airport economic impact study work, parking guidance technology at the University of Arkansas, veteran nursing services, and multiple DHS service contracts. Most items were reviewed without objection, and the meeting adjourned after reports of routine contract amendments and minor contracts were presented for information.

Transcript Highlights:

• of Health and Human Services.
• kind of a menu of services and might be receiving multiple services.
• those services.
• entry into services.
• those services.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The Senate Appropriations HR Division met with all members present to review the medical services portion of the HHS budget. Sarah Aker, Executive Director of Medical Services, walked the committee through several budget items, including HCBS cost-to-continue adjustments, the DD bed assessment, expansion of value-based purchasing, targeted rate increases for home health and QSP services, and the cross-disability waiver. Members generally supported the targeted increases for home health and QSP, and Aker explained that the cross-disability waiver funding would support startup work, service design, and infrastructure ahead of a planned July 1, 2028 implementation. The committee spent significant time on rate-setting and provider payment issues. Members discussed ambulance rate rebasing, with several senators expressing concern that the proposed increase was too high relative to peer states; the committee ultimately moved toward reducing that item to $1 million rather than zero so it could be revisited in conference committee. They also discussed a House-added critical access hospital networking grant and similarly leaned toward reducing it to $1 million. Aker explained the department’s value-based purchasing plans, including use of a vendor selected through RFP, and clarified how the department’s existing Medicaid managed care and hospital value-based programs work. A major portion of the meeting focused on long-term care and basic care payments, including a House-added extension of the $5 per day basic care add-on and a proposed shift in nursing facility incentive grants toward a withhold-based model. Senator Mathern indicated he would bring an amendment to delay or modify the withhold change, and Aker said the department would prefer language that directly addresses whether a withhold may be implemented. Members also discussed 1915(i) services, FMAP changes, the Medicaid legacy system modernization carryover, and a House-added legislative intent section on medical assistance. The committee adjourned for the morning with plans to return later to continue Human Services budget work and revisit unresolved items in conference committee.

Transcript Highlights:

• Community services are critical, but community services aren't being watched right now.
• This includes CAC mental health services, as well as forensic medical exams, and other community services
• So we actually are in statute required to provide these services already, but this is the newest service
• Services, as well as forensic medical exams and other community services if they need them.
• So we actually are in statute required to provide these services already, but this is the newest service

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Because those are the dollars that can be rolled back into services, whether it be career services, training
• They don't apply for services.
• Because one of, you know, we talk about workforce services here, but also, you know, human services,
• by state employees who provide those services.
• and all the services available to their neighbors?

Keywords: 1204, all

Summary: The meeting focused on the state’s “one door/no wrong door” workforce and social services modernization effort, with consultants Mason Bishop and Cameron Christie presenting recommendations. They argued that Arkansas should shift from fragmented programs and multiple access points to a more integrated system that promotes upward mobility, longer labor force attachment, better employer access to talent, greater efficiency, and faster adaptation to changes such as AI and economic shocks. They described the current system as overly siloed, with separate offices, portals, and funding streams that force job seekers and employers to navigate multiple doors and bureaucratic handoffs. The consultants emphasized that Arkansas should treat workforce and safety-net programs more like a coordinated franchise model, with a single point of access, one team, and integrated governance, service delivery, and financial administration. They discussed federal workforce waivers already submitted, a possible cost-allocation plan with the federal Office of Management and Budget, and a potential benefits-cliff pilot. They also said Arkansas Launch is a useful tool but not a full service-delivery system. Members asked how the proposal would affect DHS offices, local workforce boards, TANF, and disability-related services, and the consultants said TANF should be viewed as a workforce program and that Arkansas could consider co-locating or integrating staff, or even merging agencies as Utah did. Committee members repeatedly cited Utah as a model, noting its high workforce participation and lower reliance on Medicaid and SNAP, and asked whether Arkansas could use TANF and other programs to cross-train DHS workers and make county offices more work-focused. The consultants explained Utah’s 1990s reforms, later audits showing improved customer service, and the role of cost allocation in blending funds behind the scenes. They also addressed federal flexibility and said current waiver efforts are a fallback after a broader federal pilot proposal did not advance. The meeting ended with a request to continue examining case management, specifically whether Arkansas should case-manage people rather than programs, and the chair adjourned the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• , or fee-for-service.
• A Piney Woods Home Services, yes ma'am, we service... Counties, right? I remember.
• We only provide services in Austin. So our services are...
• and service coordination.
• . health services.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• disability waiver residential service disability waiver residential service providers<00:03:08.599
• <00:04:14.959> outlined to disability waiver Services outlined to disability waiver Services
• fragile service fragile service system<00:04:49.320> the<00:04:49.440> administration<
• In terms of Human Services then, MSOP is run by Human Services.
• Human Services or or Not Human Services Human Services or or Not Human Services I'm<00:25:21.200

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The House Committee on Human Services Finance and Policy met to approve prior minutes and then take public testimony on the governor’s budget recommendations for human services. The chair explained the hearing format and noted that DHS declined to testify. Much of the testimony focused on proposed reductions or caps affecting disability waiver services, nursing homes, and elderly waiver programs, as well as related fee and tax changes in the budget. Representatives of ARM argued that the governor’s proposal would cap inflationary adjustments at 2%, limit rate exceptions, cap billable days, and restrict individualized home supports, which they said would worsen workforce shortages, reduce wages for direct support professionals, and destabilize disability services. They said the package would cut about $600 million over four years and could lead to group home closures, higher turnover, and families losing access to local homes and services. Committee members asked about real-world impacts and future rate adjustments, and ARM responded that providers have already planned around expected 2026 rates, so a cap would create immediate budget and staffing problems. Long-Term Care Imperative testified against nursing home-related cuts, saying the budget would cap future rate increases, limit health insurance costs in rate setting, phase out closure-related agreements and incentives, and fail to fully fund the Nursing Home Workforce Standards Board. They estimated the nursing home provisions could amount to a $218 million cut over four years, or roughly $350 million when combined with other underfunding, and said every nursing home and bed in Minnesota would be affected. They also criticized the lack of an inflation factor in Elderly Waiver, a proposed 54% increase in assisted living fees, and possible changes to provider-assessed fine and penalty funds. Members asked about staffing and bed availability, and the testifiers said reduced funding would likely force more beds out of service. A later testifier, Dan Andre of the Minnesota Council of Health Plans, raised concerns about the DHS budget’s proposed increase in the HMO surcharge and about carving pharmacy and non-emergency medical transportation benefits out of managed care. He argued the tax increase would raise premiums for fully insured and Medicare supplement enrollees and that managed care coordination helps members access care and medications. The hearing also included one unrelated, disruptive testimony about the Minnesota Sex Offender Program and other agencies, which the chair redirected back to the human services budget. No votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes and receiving testimony.