Video & Transcript : 'treatment program' :
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OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety and Judiciary Feb 11th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- : all of them have successful programs.
- put a lot of time into their juvenile programs.
- In all of those six states, the diversion programs, including the Texas program, are run by prosecutors
- They don't generally create the programs, nor do they commit to those programs, which means you can give
- we can inject more programs to speed up the reentry.
Summary:
The Appropriations Subcommittee on Public Safety and Judiciary heard presentations from several agencies. The Office of the Chief Medical Examiner reported full National Association of Medical Examiners accreditation, major improvements in turnaround times, staffing growth to 18 forensic pathologists, and expanded rural coverage, but warned that a flat budget would leave it short of funds by August. The agency requested $4.5 million in recurring funding for professional staff and operations, citing rising supply, transport, IT, and facility costs, and said failure to fund the request would cause a catastrophic collapse. Members asked about cremation fees, other revenue sources, and the consequences of not funding the request; the chair said the recommendation would be forwarded but not necessarily adopted.
The Council on Judicial Complaints said complaints against judges have roughly doubled since 2018, with most complaints involving dissatisfaction with judicial rulings rather than misconduct. The council emphasized its goal of responding within 90 days, its new judges college to prevent ethics problems, and the cost of removal proceedings. It requested an additional $125,000 on top of its current $300,000 appropriation to cover rising operating costs, a lease increase, judicial college expenses, and salary adjustments. Senators asked about case prioritization, turnover, staffing, and whether a specific courtroom incident could be investigated; the director said it would be an appropriate complaint to review.
The Oklahoma Indigent Defense System described heavy caseloads in rural counties, a mix of satellite offices and county contracts, and a need to reduce attorney workloads, especially in Norman and Lawton. It requested funding for six resource navigators, a project manager, direct-care support, eight additional attorneys, internal training, and continued county contract funding, while also discussing possible diversion programs and grant opportunities. The Department of Corrections requested increases for county jail backup per diem and ICON maintenance, highlighted contraband interdiction, centralized visitation, mobile check-ins, and tablet-based efficiencies, and discussed an ICE detention contract at Watonga that brings in monthly revenue and jobs but is not counted in the budget request. The Oklahoma Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs presented a revised legacy-fund request tied to purchasing and remodeling a building shared with OSBI, saying the new plan would cost about $25 million total and save money compared with new construction; it also noted declining wire-transfer revenue tied to fewer grow operations and other enforcement changes.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-04-28 (1:00PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Back to our regularly scheduled programming. Please read the next bill.
- And I want to go to the area about treatment for prisoners.
- routine medical treatment if such treatment is deemed life-saving.
- to the entity responsible for the program design and implementation.
- the program.
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and several recognitions, including remarks from the new Democratic caucus leader, Senator Berman, who emphasized affordability, education, health care, public safety, and opposition to measures he said would roll back child labor protections, book access, and gun safety laws. The chamber also recognized military leaders from U.S. Army Special Operations Command and an intern from Senator Polsky’s office. No committee reports or executive messages were on the desk at the start.
The Senate then took up and passed several bills, often after substituting House companions and adopting technical amendments. Among the measures approved were the dangerous dogs bill (the Pam Rock Act), local government land regulation, vessel-related voter freedom/boating provisions, blood clot screening and treatment, fleeing or attempting to elude law enforcement, concealed carry licensing for certain officers and service members, timeshare management firms, disability history and awareness instruction, manufacturing and manufacturing fees, public education on background screening requirements, utility service restrictions, educational opportunities for military children, Medicaid oversight, health facilities authorities, and veterans’ nursing home beds. Several bills were temporarily postponed, including measures on human trafficking, waste management, Bright Futures, Medicaid oversight earlier in the day, mammogram coverage, and others.
Debate on the disability history bill was especially extensive, with senators discussing the use of the word “disability,” the role of bias, and whether the bill fit with broader DEI-related policy debates. The bill’s sponsor and supporters framed it as a first step toward helping students understand and respect people with disabilities, and the chamber opened co-sponsorship before substituting the House version. Other bills drew focused questions about local government costs, impact fees, staffing burdens, grant criteria for small manufacturers, and the scope of utility preemption. Most measures passed on strong votes, including several unanimous votes, with the concealed carry/firearms bill passing 33-3 and the local government land regulation bill passing 26-8.
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- With your support over many years, Idaho's courts have developed treatment court programs that both relieve
- Consider a recent graduate of one of our treatment courts.
- Prior hospitalizations and outpatient treatment had failed to produce lasting change.
- I am grateful for this program and I am finally back on track living a meaningful life.'
- Treatment courts play a proven role in helping individuals become productive members of communities,
Summary:
The Senate convened with 34 members present and one excused absence, then approved the prior day’s journal. After moving to motions and resolutions, the chamber welcomed the Chief Justice and members of the Idaho judiciary for the annual State of the Judiciary address. The Chief Justice described the courts’ workload, including rising civil caseloads, ongoing criminal and juvenile matters, and the continued use of treatment courts, mediation, remote hearings, self-help services, and online case access tools to improve access and efficiency.
The Chief Justice also highlighted courthouse facility upgrades in several counties, concerns about courthouse security and threats to judges and court staff, and cybersecurity efforts that blocked large numbers of phishing and malicious access attempts. He emphasized civic education efforts, the judiciary’s five governing principles, and the need for continued collaboration with the legislature and counties. The Senate ordered the address spread upon the journal and then returned the Chief Justice to the chamber exit.
In later business, the Senate received Senate Joint Resolution 102, proposing a constitutional amendment related to state trust lands, and referred it to the Judiciary and Rules Committee for printing. The chamber also received two gubernatorial appointments: Estella Zamora to the Idaho Commission on Human Rights and Janet Lawler to the Commission of Pardons and Parole, referring them to the appropriate committees. Two bills were introduced on first reading—Senate Bill 1224 on slow-moving vehicles and Senate Bill 1225 on presidential searches for state higher education institutions—and both were referred to Judiciary and Rules for printing. The Senate then announced a schedule change for America 250-related activities the next day and adjourned until 11 a.m. Thursday, January 22, 2026.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Supervised agricultural experience is a component that is not new to our program.
- That are happening in our agriculture programs today.
- also the medical cannabis program multiple times during my process.
- program ever.
- I remember going to treatment in Minneapolis.
Summary:
The Committee on Agriculture heard a presentation from Florida FFA state officers Gabby Howell and Macy Jordan, who described FFA and agricultural education as a three-part model of classroom instruction, supervised agricultural experience, and leadership development. They highlighted FFA membership growth, Florida’s more than 60,000 members, industry certifications, and state funding that allows all agriculture education students to participate at no cost. Members praised the students and the organization’s role in developing future agricultural leaders.
The committee then took up SB 438, which would regulate hemp and hemp extract products, including THC-infused beverages, by adding testing, labeling, retail location, age, and event restrictions, along with penalties and $2 million for testing equipment. Senator Burton said the bill is intended to address public safety, prevent products with illegal THC levels from reaching consumers, and respond to the governor’s prior veto concerns, especially store location and regulation. An amendment clarifying final batch testing was adopted without objection.
Testimony was mixed. Supporters, including beverage distributors, law enforcement, and some hemp beverage businesses, backed regulation and said the bill would improve safety and clarity, though some asked for changes to avoid treating specialty beverage retailers like liquor stores. Opponents and some hemp industry representatives argued the bill was too restrictive, would hurt small businesses, and could push products into the black market; they also objected to THC limits, event restrictions, and the proposed regulatory structure. After debate, the committee voted 6-0 to report CS for SB 438 favorably.
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/03/2026 - House Republican Caucus Calendar #8 and #9
Transcript Highlights:
- providers and may adopt rules, policies, and procedures to carry out the purposes of the program.
- So if you're not familiar, AZEIP is Arizona's early intervention program. This is my bill.
- So if you're not familiar, AZEIP is Arizona's early intervention program.
- There are opt-outs, and it's an opt-in program, and that is it. Any questions for the sponsor?
- It's an opt-in program, and that is it. Any questions for the sponsor? Seeing none, 2780, please.
Summary:
The meeting reviewed two caucus packets covering a wide range of bills, with most items described by staff and then passed over without questions. Topics included appropriations for pregnancy resource centers, home- and community-based services for seniors and people with disabilities, veteran specialty courts, child care grants and infrastructure, emergency shelter grants, language acquisition services for deaf or hard-of-hearing infants and toddlers, and uranium contamination monitoring. Other measures addressed utility plant replacement, local government investment pools, task-order contract posting, ambulance reporting and certificate-of-necessity changes, short-term rental regulation, tuition waivers for dependents of disabled veterans, memorial authorization, manufactured home installer licensing, CPR/AED training in schools, national park fee exemptions for military members and veterans, and a tourism improvement area funded by lodging businesses.
Several bills focused on child welfare and family law, including expanded kinship placement notification, a neglect definition change tied to poverty, evidence rules in custody and dependency matters, DCS investigations when a protective parent is involved, and parenting-time supervision requirements. Health-related bills included midwife practice changes, controlled substance monitoring program updates, interstate EMS licensure, prostate cancer screening coverage, sleep apnea coverage, and resident electronic monitoring in care facilities. Judiciary and property-related bills included enhanced trespass penalties, post-nuptial agreement rules, tax lien excess proceeds procedures, and unlawful entry into residences occupied by vulnerable adults.
A few members briefly explained or defended selected bills, including the child protection measures, the CPR training requirement, the ambulance reporting bill, the tourism improvement area bill, and the bill moving inter-facility transports away from police. The sponsor of HB 2950 emphasized it was a voluntary, opt-in lodging assessment with local approval and statutory guardrails. No roll-call votes were described in the transcript, and most bills were noted as being on consent or third-read consent calendars, with several removed from consent or not yet on a calendar.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
FL House Floor Session - 2025-03-19 (2:30PM Session)
Florida House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- because without the awareness, those programs don't matter a whole lot.
- This bill requires DCF to create a treatment foster care pilot program that will increase family-like
- There is funding associated for the foster care pilot program.
- foster care pilot program?
- appropriately named the FARM program.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
Senate Health and Human Services (02/10/2025)
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- The first section is in our spend-down program, sometimes referred to as the Medicaid In-and-Out program
- We use them to fund programs like Medicaid expansion or the granted Advantage program.
- We use them to fund programs like Medicaid expansion or the granted Advantage program.
- </c> preventative care as well as treatment preventative care as well as treatment for<01:26:16.440><
- </c> Fast Forward New Hampshire's program Fast Forward New Hampshire's program that<01:50:45.520><c>
ID
Idaho 2026 Regular Session
Agenda Jan 26th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- and the Community Reentry Program.
- Community-Based SUDS Treatments.
- I believe we have another year of the program, but it is a pilot, set up as a pilot program, so it will
- Which programs have proven to reduce Which programs have proven to reduce recidivism?
- so most of those programs were actually eliminated and we brought in a whole series of new programs
Summary:
The committee met jointly with Senate Finance and House Appropriations to review the Idaho Department of Correction budget, beginning with an agency overview from Legislative Services analyst Noah Peterson and then testimony from Director Bree Derrick. Discussion focused on the department’s overall funding mix, declining balances in dedicated funds such as inmate labor and probation/parole receipts, vacancy management, and the impact of the governor’s holdback exemption. Members also asked about software and technology costs, the Hepatitis C Fund, replacement items, and why some positions remain vacant or are held open as a budget strategy.
A substantial portion of the meeting covered the department’s major divisions and cost drivers. In state prisons, county/out-of-state placement, community corrections, community-based substance use disorder treatment, and medical services, the analyst and director explained enhancement requests, supplemental needs, and rising operating costs tied to inflation, population growth, and contract rates. Members questioned the inmate labor fund’s decline, the loss of work contracts, the cost and effectiveness of recidivism and transparency software, the Pocatello reentry center, body-worn cameras, RFID and drone detection technology, and the medical contract with Centurion. The department said some cuts were made or planned in response to budget pressure, including reduced spending on Recidivis and other contracts, while body-worn cameras and some public-safety tools were retained.
The committee also discussed prison population pressures, county jail and out-of-state placement costs, mandatory minimum sentences, and the use of county jails as overflow. Director Derrick said the department is seeing more admissions than releases and that Idaho’s incarceration rate remains high relative to neighboring states. She also said the department is working to expand county and out-of-state options and to pursue more inmate labor contracts. Several members asked for follow-up information on staffing, contract counts, program impacts, and fund balances. The meeting then moved to the Commission of Pardons and Parole budget, where Director Christine Starr testified that commissioners are part-time but effectively work full-time, are not paid for training or all preparation time, and that turnover remains a concern. No votes were taken; the committee adjourned to resume the next day after work groups.
CT
Connecticut 2026 Regular Session
Finance Advisory Committee June 4th Meeting Jun 4th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- surplus within this program.
- That was the closure of one particular program, and the children that were served in that program were
- transitioned to other existing... ...particular program, and the children that were served in that program
- There was a closure of one of the programs.
- And I'm sorry, I didn't get why was that program closed?
Summary:
The Finance Advisory Committee approved the minutes from its May 14, 2026 meeting and then considered four fiscal transfers. FAC 2026-9 for the Office of the State Controller transferred $4.345 million among fringe benefit accounts in the General Fund and Special Transportation Fund. Members questioned several employee benefit accounts, including active and retiree health care, Social Security, higher education alternative retirement, and OPEB; agency staff explained the transfers were based on updated year-end projections, with some accounts showing surpluses and others needing additional funds. The item was approved, with two no votes noted.
FAC 2026-10 for the Military Department transferred $150,000 from the Honor Guards account to personal services and Governor’s Guard accounts to cover operational needs, and it was approved without opposition. FAC 2026-11 for the Department of Social Services transferred $3.3 million among accounts. Most of the discussion focused on a surplus in the substance use disorder waiver/reinvestment account, lower-than-expected TANF/TFA caseloads, federal family planning backfill requirements, and staffing challenges in eligibility operations. DSS said some funds remained unused because a residential care vendor did not enter into a contract, some reserves were intended for future multi-year investments, and eligibility staff require 12 to 18 months of training; the item was approved.
FAC 2026-12 for the Department of Children and Families transferred $3.05 million among accounts for year-end operational needs. Members asked about closures of day treatment and community-based prevention programs, and DCF said children were transitioned to other providers without service interruption, with closures driven by provider decisions and financial viability. DCF also explained that some prior funding had been used as gap funding and that ongoing support had been built into the budget. The committee approved the transfer and then adjourned.
MO
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - 03/04/26
Judiciary and Public Safety
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> Minnesota paid leave program. Minnesota paid leave program.
- in the program, but we did not receive any funding for the employer share of this program.
- actually administer this program.
- </c> there is a case of overt treatment. there is a case of overt treatment.
- Uh these program will will use.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health Care & Wellness Jan 28th, 2026 at 01:30 pm
Health Care & Wellness
Transcript Highlights:
- And I think we could probably all agree that the need for mental health treatment is much larger than
- AI cannot replicate the nuance that goes into diagnosis and treatment.
- Using AI for treatment poses significant ethical concerns.
- The only treatment he received was three bags of saline solution that cost $1,200.
- I am the Navigator Program Manager for King County Public Health.
Keywords:
healthcare, insurance, certification, state regulation, health plan, therapy, psychotherapy, mental health, regulation, professional standards, behavioral health, mental health crisis, crisis response, co-response, co-responder, first responder, EMS, emergency medical services, paramedic, EMT
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- On page six, we'll add an additional objective making recommendations on treatments for common chronic
- On page six, we'll add an additional objective making recommendations on treatments for common chronic
- > And</c><00:25:08.559><c> there</c><00:25:08.720><c> are</c><00:25:08.799><c> also</c> residency program
- And there are also residency program.
- On page 26, lines four, and 7 to provide funding for gambling prevention and treatment, special fund,
Summary:
The committee took up a long decision-making agenda and repeatedly recommended passage of measures, most either unamended or with technical or date-deferral amendments. Early items included HB 496, which was passed with amendments deferring the effective date to 2050, and HB 700, which was passed with amendments incorporating Alzheimer’s Association language on dementia data collection, standardized cognitive assessments, Medicare Part C, and related definitions. Other bills addressed insurance, health care preceptors, workers’ compensation, labeling, rural emergency hospitals, and numerous budget or policy measures later in the agenda.
Several bills received substantive amendment packages. HB 250 was amended to add an objective on treatments for common chronic or long-term conditions and to clarify that automating determinations is intended to reduce delays in patient care. HB 303 adopted Hawaii Pharmacist Association language clarifying the definition of a nationally accredited pharmacy residency program. HB 1179 was amended to adopt Department of Human Services language relating to Med-QUEST. Later, HB 1293 added a $250,000 cap, a $20 million general-fund appropriation for Department of Education food services, and procurement-reporting language; HB 1153 authorized transfers of various non-general-fund accounts to the general fund and added a blank appropriation for the governor’s office; and HB 1168 added a proviso to a revenue bond appropriation to help in-state residents with demonstrated financial need offset room-and-board increases.
The most notable debate was on HB 1308, a sports wagering bill. Members discussed regulatory structure, youth sports restrictions, tax and fee provisions, and gambling-prevention funding. Several members opposed the bill, citing family impacts, gambling addiction concerns, and the possibility that regulatory and social costs would outweigh revenues; others supported it with reservations. The motion to pass with amendments was adopted, with recorded no votes and reservations. Across the agenda, most remaining bills were adopted with little or no discussion, including many measures passed unamended and several with deferred effective dates or committee-report notes reflecting testimony or appropriation requests.
HI
Transcript Highlights:
- :47.000><c> program</c><00:14:47.279><c> to</c><00:14:47.440><c> provide</c> Hawaii promise program to
- that as they who utilize the program that as they exit<00:25:57.039><c> the</c><00:25:57.240><c> program
- </c> national accreditation for that program national accreditation for that program the<01:05:47.200
- Right, so this particular program, I do have a researcher with me that is part of that program.
- I'm Kevin Ramirez, the program manager for the Coalition for a Tobacco-Free Hawaii, a program of the
Summary:
The House Committee on Higher Education met at the University of Hawaiʻi’s Bachman Hall and heard testimony on several UH-related bills. HB 542 would expand the Hawaiʻi Promise Program to provide unmet-need scholarships at four-year UH campuses. UH system officials, the UH Student Caucus, and a Honolulu Community College student testified in support, emphasizing college affordability, student retention, and workforce needs. Committee members asked about current program data, eligibility, transfer patterns, and cost; UH said it had data available, noted about 10% of current Hawaiʻi Promise students transfer to four-year campuses, and estimated the full expansion would cost about $12 million. UH also suggested a possible alternative of focusing on transfer opportunities from two-year to four-year campuses.
The committee then heard HB 840, which concerns athletics appropriations for UH. UH Mānoa and UH Hilo supported the bill. UH officials said the funding would help cover recurring athletics operating costs, women’s sports travel and recruiting, Austin Awards, and a new nutrition fueling station, while Hilo said the money would help with travel, per diem, and conference-related costs. Members asked about the history of the athletics funding, the difference between Austin Awards and special talent waivers, NIL planning, and whether the appropriation should be restored to the base budget. UH explained that a $4 million athletics appropriation was originally made in 2018 or 2019, later removed from the base, and has been reappropriated annually since then.
Finally, the committee heard HB 842, which would fund three additional permanent mental health practitioner positions at UH Mānoa’s Counseling and Student Development Center. UH supported the bill, and Academic Labor United and a high school student testified in favor, citing student stress, overwork, and the need for more counseling access. In questions, members discussed the current counselor-to-student ratio, recruitment challenges in a tight labor market, and strategies for hiring, including looking at candidates on soft-money grants who may be seeking stable employment. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Conference Committee on HF2431 5/16/25 - Part 1
Transcript Highlights:
- The House is state grant program.
- </c><00:10:45.920><c> of</c> language, the treatment of language, the treatment of appropriations<00:
- for the state grant program is out.
- for the state grant program is out.
- </c><00:13:33.760><c> is</c> grant programs is grant programs is in<00:13:35.680><c> the</c><00:13:36.240
LA
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- The JRS2 program is a retirement system for judges.
- We are making great gains in getting people who are eligible for the program to use the program.
- We have some content programs, data content programs.
- We are very proud of this program.
- There are always many programs that can be developed. We're not trying to develop any new programs.
Bills:
SB 1
Keywords:
campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards
Summary:
The committee heard budget presentations from the Legislative Budget Board and agency officials on several agencies, starting with the Texas Historical Commission. LBB described a large biennial reduction driven mainly by the removal of one-time funding and discussed capital projects, rider changes, and exceptional items including Presidio La Bahia and the National Museum of the Pacific War. Senators asked about heritage trails, courthouse grants, unexpended balance authority, and the status of historical-site funding. Historical Commission leadership emphasized preservation, courthouse restoration, heritage tourism, coordination with the Alamo and other Texas Revolution sites, and requested additional IT, staffing, and vehicle funding. No votes were taken.
The committee then reviewed the Pension Review Board and the Employees Retirement System. The Pension Review Board’s budget was largely unchanged aside from IT maintenance and salary adjustments, with an exceptional item for additional IT enhancements. Members discussed the Dallas Police and Fire Pension System’s funding dispute and the need for a workable restoration plan. ERS presented a much larger budget, including funding for the retirement system, the group benefits plan, and the legacy payment intended to reduce unfunded liability. Senators focused heavily on pension investment returns, benchmark comparisons, and rising health-care costs, especially pharmacy spending driven by GLP-1 drugs; ERS said the plan covers about 540,000 lives and that premiums would rise 8% while benefits remain unchanged. ERS also said it had no exceptional items, and committee members requested more detailed benchmark information.
The committee also heard from the Texas Emergency Services Retirement System and the Cancer Prevention and Research Institute of Texas. TESSORS reported an unfunded liability, an infinite amortization period, and requested additional state support, staffing, and IT funding, including a statutory change to allow a higher contribution level; the agency warned that without more funding it may have to cut benefits. CEPRIT’s presentation covered its bond-funded cancer research and prevention portfolio, revenue-sharing from funded projects, and a request to increase salary limits for its CEO and chief scientific officer. Senators questioned CEPRIT’s accomplishments and return on investment, while CEPRIT cited screening, prevention, and research outcomes, including tens of thousands of detected cancers and precursors and hundreds of thousands of first-time screenings. The meeting ended after these presentations and questions, with no recorded committee action or vote.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance Division I (01/29/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- :43.439><c> was</c> the state aid grant program program was the state aid grant program program was not
- program.
- </c><04:34:13.400><c> grants</c> program program there's no new grants program program there's no new
- Next program that I'll go over is the Shoreland program.
- Next program that I'll go over is the Shoreland program.
Summary:
The Department of Administrative Services presented an overview of its budget and operations, emphasizing that it is the lowest-spending agency in state government and that its general fund allocation has declined since 2019. Commissioner Arling House explained that DAS also handles back-office functions for several administratively attached boards, which has affected staffing and spending comparisons. He said the department’s current general fund spending is roughly split between retiree health and other operations, and that the presentation was based on adjusted authorized spending rather than the original budget figures.
A major portion of the meeting focused on retiree health benefits and the long-term effort to control costs. Deputy Commissioner Cassie Keane described how the state moved from a projected deficit in retiree health to savings through a series of changes, including higher premium contributions, co-pay adjustments, and shifting Medicare retirees into Medicare Advantage arrangements to capture federal reimbursement. She said the state has about 12,500 retirees and spouses on the plan, with roughly 10,906 Medicare retirees and 1,580 non-Medicare retirees, and that the savings have depended heavily on federal funding and procurement decisions. She also noted that Medicare retirees pay Part B premiums and that the state has grandfathered older retirees from some premium contributions.
Members asked about what the expenditures cover, why the state offers retiree health instead of simply giving retirees a payment to buy coverage themselves, and whether out-of-pocket costs changed under Medicare Advantage. Keane said the plan covers actual health claims or insurance premiums, that co-pays and maximum out-of-pocket limits remain in place, and that the state has no authority to change benefit details without legislative action. She explained that retiree health is a long-standing employee benefit that wraps around Medicare and is not collectively bargained in the usual sense, though its eligibility rules and cost-sharing have been tightened over time to better target the benefit to long-term state service.
The discussion also covered vendor performance problems. Keane said Anthem recently won the contract back from Aetna, but its pharmacy subsidiary, Caroline, caused serious service disruptions. DAS responded by withholding payments, assessing more than $2 million in performance guarantees, and hiring a third-party auditor to review the pharmacy processes. The current contract runs through the end of calendar year 2026, and officials said they are watching federal Medicare Advantage reimbursement changes closely because future savings are uncertain.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Financial Services Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am
Joint Committee on Financial Services
Transcript Highlights:
- They get to use it to pay for mental health services or other cancer treatment, whatever out-of-pocket
- to pay taxes on that money they get to use it to pay for mental health services or other cancer treatment
- whatever whatever out-of-pocket expenses they have that quality. ...or other cancer treatment, whatever
- And in fact, Massachusetts already does provide that for wellness program use. With that, I agree.
- Massachusetts already does provide that for wellness program use.
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Financial Services held a hearing with Chair Jamie Murphy and Senate co-chair Senator Feeney presiding. Members asked witnesses to keep testimony to three minutes and noted that written testimony could still be submitted. The committee heard testimony on several health insurance and pharmacy-related bills, including a proposal to allow controlled prescriptions to be transferred between pharmacies within the same chain, legislation affecting health savings account (HSA)-compatible plans and future insurance mandates, a bill on small business health insurance incentives, and H. 1212 on emergency insulin access.
Several parents and patients testified in support of emergency insulin access, describing severe diabetes emergencies, diabetic ketoacidosis, prescription delays, and the need for pharmacists to dispense insulin in urgent situations when doctors or insurers are unavailable. A parent also described the burden of repeatedly obtaining new prescriptions for ADHD medication when pharmacies are out of stock. Witnesses supporting the HSA bill argued that state coverage mandates can unintentionally disqualify HSA-qualified plans and that the bill would preserve tax advantages for enrollees while avoiding repeated legislative fixes. A representative of the Retailers Association supported the small business health insurance incentives bill, saying it could help retain small employers in the merged market by allowing carriers to offer financial incentives tied to cooperative purchasing and utilization efforts.
One witness, Kathleen Demarest, testified against a co-pay assistance restriction, saying a state rule had unexpectedly cut off her drug assistance before a generic was actually available, leaving her with very high out-of-pocket costs. Committee members asked a few clarifying questions about HSAs, insulin dispensing, and school support for diabetes care. After all scheduled witnesses had testified and no additional testimony was offered, the committee voted to close the hearing.
FL
Florida 2026 Regular Session
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice Oct 8th, 2025
Appropriations Committee on Criminal and Civil Justice
Transcript Highlights:
- And that has caused significant loss of funding through that program.
- And that has caused significant loss of funding through that program.
- So we need to gear their needs to what their treatment plan looks like.
- Residential is where the kids are placed for their treatment plans.
- But we've catered the program to the youth's needs, so we just can't put youth in any program because
Summary:
The committee met for an interim appropriations presentation hearing focused on justice administration agencies. Members heard budget requests from the State Attorney’s Office, Public Defenders, the Justice Administrative Commission, Regional Conflict Counsel, Capital Collateral Regional Counsel, and the Guardian ad Litem Office, followed by a presentation from the Department of Juvenile Justice and a brief public comment from a nonprofit advocate. The chair noted that presentations from the Department of Law Enforcement and the Commission on Offender Review would be moved to a later meeting.
The state attorney requested funding to true up underfunded circuits under the existing formula, staff 14 new criminal judgeships, replace declining VOCA victim-services funding with general revenue, and cover a projected due process shortfall. The public defender asked for a higher starting salary for assistant public defenders, funding to restore balance in circuits where public defenders lag behind state attorneys, and staffing for new criminal judgeships. Regional conflict counsel and capital collateral regional counsel also sought salary adjustments, additional attorneys and case costs, and competitive area differential funding to address recruitment and retention issues. The Justice Administrative Commission requested funding for Florida PALM readiness and implementation and for IT hardware and software replacement; it also relayed a clerks’ request for reimbursement related to injunctions for protection, Baker Act, Marchman Act, and sexually violent predator cases.
The Guardian ad Litem Office said it now has a guardian ad litem for every child in Florida and requested salary increases for senior and managing attorneys to reduce turnover. The Department of Juvenile Justice presented a much larger budget request to expand residential and detention capacity, increase per diem rates, renovate and replace aging facilities, fund the Broward detention center rebuild, improve cybersecurity and the juvenile information system, and cover rising lease costs. Members asked questions about staffing, compensation, detention and residential treatment needs, mental health and substance-use services, and the Broward project timeline. A nonprofit advocate then asked for better data collection on protection orders and related court actions to support funding for domestic violence and recovery services. The committee adjourned without taking any formal votes on the budget requests.