Video & Transcript Research : 'development fees'

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TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Human Services May 5th, 2026

Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • I'm hopeful that we are able to develop substantial recommendations as well as develop policy as we head
  • We have to develop a new medical benefit policy.
  • Those services are delivered through fee-for-service.
  • What would have happened in the old fee-for-service system?
  • Or use particular forms, or HHSC will develop a new system.
Keywords: 1184, house, all
AR

Arkansas 2026 Regular Session

JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE Mar 4th, 2026

JOINT BUDGET COMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:
  • These are the ones that are paid from their tuition and fees, sales, and federal funds.
  • And we don't want to raise tuition and fees $1 more than we have to.
  • But it is common to have a student athletic fee. It's not.
  • , I thought that the university needed a student athletic fee, I would ask for it.
  • I mean, if we raise tuition and fees, we raise it more for them.
Summary: The committee first adopted revised JBC rules, which staff said were updated to reflect legislation passed in the 2025 session. It then heard a presentation from DFA Secretary Jim Hudson on the governor’s proposed balanced budget for FY27, with no action taken. Hudson said the budget reflects three priorities: limiting state-government growth, continuing investments in education, and advancing income-tax cuts. He highlighted increases for education funding through EFAs, pay-plan costs for Corrections, DPS, and the Attorney General, higher education productivity funding, drug task forces, a Corrections medical contract, the governor’s 1033 initiative, SNAP error-rate reduction efforts, and an additional $100 million set aside for Medicaid sustainability. Committee members questioned the size of the tax cuts, the balance requirement, public education funding, Medicaid trust-fund levels, EFA funding, and the expected impact of new SNAP cost-sharing rules. The Division of Higher Education then presented its productivity-based funding recommendations. Officials said institutions were 2.61% more productive overall, with funding changes driven by a statutory formula that rewards degree production, underserved populations, and high-demand fields. Members asked about declines at UA Little Rock, the formula’s multipliers, the role of the Arkansas Access Act and a new return-on-investment metric, and how two-year colleges are adjusted for size. The committee also reviewed special items and approved two letters: one authorizing 17 net personnel changes across nine institutions, and another adding special language for North Arkansas College’s entry into the University of Arkansas system. The committee then adopted the Higher Education Coordinating Board’s recommendations for all institutions. A lengthy portion of the meeting focused on the University of Arkansas system, especially Fayetteville’s athletics funding and the broader impact of the House/NIL settlement. Chancellor Charles Robinson and system officials explained that the board had waived a longstanding campus transfer and directed the university to provide an additional $6 million to athletics, with some costs likely to be passed through to students but partially offset by existing budget growth. Members debated whether the university should prioritize academics or athletics, how the transfer originated, and whether the athletic changes would affect affordability. The committee also discussed the 1890 extension program at UAPB and the Division of Agriculture’s land-grant funding. UAPB officials said the state match is intended to be one-to-one, that the current recommendation aligns appropriation with actual spending, and that a $2 million set-aside remains available if needed. The Division of Agriculture later clarified that its Smith-Lever extension and Hatch research funds are part of the UA system’s separate budget and that the state matched about $6.2 million in federal extension funding last year. The committee then moved to the Department of Corrections. It approved G1, transferring 51 positions to the secretary’s office to activate a recidivism program, with an estimated cost of about $4 million. Staff then began walking through the department’s FY27 budget, noting an increase of about $8 million for administration and shared services, including a $170,000 sex-offender assessment appropriation moved under Act 723 of 2025 and roughly $6 million more for medical contracts. Questions on the Corrections budget had just begun when the transcript ended.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Health and Human Services - 04/03/25

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • Section two amends the application fee of $25 in place of the current fee of $75.
  • current fee the place of the current fee $75.<00:10:39.519> Section<00:10:40.000> three
  • :42.480> of registration renewal fee of registration renewal fee of $25<00:10:44.480> beginning
  • It establishes the annual fee late fee process and ensures that all of the conditions are met, including
  • So, we are funded 100% by operating fees So, we are funded 100% by operating fees that<00:38:00.240
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband and Rural Development - Subcommittee on Veterans - 04/02/25

Agriculture, Veterans, Broadband, and Rural Development - Subcommittee on Veterans

Transcript Highlights:
  • Fees are not allowed to be charged for initial claims.
  • Thank you. for a fee is legally accredited and for a fee is legally accredited and prohibiting<00:26:
  • from<00:26:33.600> unacredited against unlawful fees from unacredited against unlawful fees
  • Any added extra fees,<00:45:02.319> unex<00:45:03.079> unexpected fees, unex unexpected
  • Chair, as rural development. Mr.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Floor Session - 05/07/26

Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • for developers of apartment complexes. for developers of apartment complexes.
  • . developments. developments.
  • imposed on the development of new housing, analyze the cumulative effect of those taxes and fees, and
  • related fees imposed on the development related fees imposed on the development of<00:51:11.839>
  • development in our state. Thank you Mr. development in our state. Thank you Mr.
Keywords: 918, senate, all
Summary: The Senate opened with a call of the Senate, prayer, and the Pledge of Allegiance, then established a quorum and moved to messages from the House. The chamber received several House-passed Senate files, including SF 2814 (real estate appraisers), SF 3637 (transportation), and SF 4244 (technical corrections), and took up SF 1714 on payment transparency and public contracts. The Senate concurred in the House amendments to SF 1714, advanced it to third reading, and then passed the bill 65-0. The Senate also received House amendments to SF 3432 on public safety, but instead of concurring, it voted to send the bill to a five-member conference committee. The Senate likewise agreed to a conference committee request on HF 4188, a commerce bill dealing with consumer protections for insurance and financial products. The Senate then handled additional House messages and routine business, including first reading of several House files and adoption of committee reports. A committee report on SF 453, relating to thermal energy networks as public improvements and water works, recommended amendment and passage under Senate Concurrent Resolution 6, and the report was adopted except for the referenced resolution item. The chamber also completed second readings of several Senate bills and one House bill, and approved a motion to withdraw SF 4464 from the Committee on State and Local Government and return it to the author. The main floor debate centered on HF 1141, the housing finance and policy omnibus. Senator Port described the bill as focused on affordability, including $50 million in housing infrastructure bonds, greater Minnesota infrastructure grants, manufactured housing protections, limits on large institutional investors buying single-family homes, and increased oversight of the Minnesota Housing Finance Agency. The Senate adopted several amendments, including a technical A12 amendment, A7 to dedicate $5 million of bonding to manufactured home park improvements, and A4 on manufactured housing protections such as rent receipts and longer move-out time after eviction. Senator Abler then offered A14, which would limit rent increases in certain non-market-rate, tax-credit housing for seniors to CPI-based increases; supporters framed it as a humanitarian measure for elderly residents facing steep rent hikes, while opponents raised concerns about rent control, the scope of the amendment, and the need for more detail. The transcript ends during continued debate on A14, with no final vote shown on that amendment.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - 04/10/26

Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • All fees associated, foreclosing lender.
  • If fees to them directly or indirectly.
  • Uh the platform fee also could required.
  • consideration and review as we develop consideration and review as we develop uh<00:35:38.720>
  • Um, and and along policy development.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Standing Committee on Local Government (3-10-26)

Local Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • So, we're just simply saying that if you're going to be raising or lowering taxes or fees, then you should
  • c> of 273s usually have some type of 273s usually have some type of membership<00:02:26.480> fee
  • membership fee that goes along with it. membership fee that goes along with it.
  • ,<00:02:32.960> then raising or lowering taxes or fees, then raising or lowering taxes or
  • Development Block Grant application. application. application.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/21/2026 - House Ways & Means

Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's like, well, I got a fee because he didn't file.
  • I know they can have the ability to waive fees, so I'm just curious. Representative Way?
  • I know they can have the ability to waive fees, so I'm just curious, Representative Way.
  • $25 fee away if there's a zero tax due for him.
  • My district is what you might call on the bleeding edge of Phoenix development, and in a place where
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • Economic development, labor rights, support for farmers, Medicaid, and social security for children and
  • The board billed us $4,000 in their legal fees and told us they would foreclose on our home and take
  • <00:24:08.080> labor<00:24:08.480> rights Economic Development labor rights Economic
  • Development labor rights support<00:24:09.320> for<00:24:09.559> Farmers<00:24:10.279>
  • and financing and board board fees and financing and board decision<00:25:14.039> reforms<00:
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • bit specifically how these monies, you know, when we look at the grant, will help with preschool development
  • More specifically, how these monies, when we look at the grant, will help with preschool development?
  • These programs provide fee-for-service supplemental payments and directed payments for physicians...
  • These programs provide fee-for-service supplemental payments and directed payments for physicians and
  • This program provides fee-for-service supplemental payments and directed payments for physicians and
Keywords: 999, senate, all
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • little bit specifically about how these monies, when we look at the grant, will help with preschool development
  • I'm old enough, and I've been around long enough to remember when KidCare was actually first developed
  • These programs provide fee-for-service supplemental payments and directed payments for physicians...
  • These programs provide fee-for-service supplemental payments and directed payments for physicians and
  • This program is used for housing, infrastructure, economic development, and mitigation needs after other
Summary: The Legislative Budget Commission met to consider 21 budget amendments, beginning with the Department of Education’s request for $14.751 million in federal grant authority for the Preschool Development Grant. Members asked whether any funds would support VPK or provider payments; the department said the money is for birth-to-kindergarten early learning work, including IT modernization, workforce credentialing, training, and streamlining director certification. The amendment was adopted without objection. The commission then approved amendments for the Department of Veterans Affairs to shift $2.2 million within its trust fund to cover higher nursing home occupancy and reduce staffing agency use, and for the Department of Health to realign about $9.1 million for disability determinations amid a backlog of roughly 140,000 cases. The Agency for Health Care Administration presented multiple Medicaid-related amendments, including $766 million for indirect medical education, $1.9 million for managed care network adequacy audits, $209 million for the Rural Health Transformation Program, and several large supplemental payment programs for KidCare, hospitals, physicians, cancer hospitals, nursing IME, and public hospital payments. Members questioned network adequacy, rural access, and the KidCare surplus and expansion; the KidCare realignment drew debate, with some members objecting because the 2023 eligibility expansion has not been implemented, but the amendment passed on a roll call vote. Other amendments adopted included FDLE’s $16.3 million for counter-UAS detection and mitigation equipment, DJJ’s $1.6 million for Florida Scholars Academy and a Social Services Block Grant realignment, and emergency management pass-throughs for FIFA World Cup security and counter-drone funding to the Miami host committee. The Department of Commerce received $148.4 million for disaster recovery under the CDBG-DR program, with questions about the split between housing, infrastructure, and administrative costs. The Department of State also received $408,377 for arts and culture grant authority. Most amendments were adopted without objection, and the commission adjourned after completing the agenda.
FL
Transcript Highlights:
  • Black Americans are twice as likely to develop the disease.
  • No filing fee or attorney representation required in 2021, the law was improved with help of the elder
  • It allows these petitions to be filed without a fee.
  • There is no filing fee. It happens quickly after that initial freeze.
  • A cutie level that is so high and developing. I like the term professional foster home.
Keywords: 999, senate, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Health and Human Services Apr 1st, 2025

Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • So the information y'all would ask us to hire software developers for, the insurance companies already
  • My legal fees were $259,000.43.
  • This abuse of power cost individual health care providers thousands upon thousands in legal fees and
  • apply only to the dispensing fee, which is often nothing or maybe a dollar.
  • They could also be things related to fees, for sure.
Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 883, which would protect physicians’ ability to prescribe off-label medications and treatments, framed by the author as a “Right to Treat” measure tied to COVID-19 care. Supporters, including physicians and patient-choice advocates, said the bill would safeguard the doctor-patient relationship and prevent interference by boards, pharmacies, or hospitals. Several witnesses described using hydroxychloroquine, ivermectin, budesonide, antibiotics, steroids, and monoclonal antibodies during the pandemic, and said they faced complaints, board scrutiny, or pharmacy refusals for those prescriptions. The bill was left pending after public testimony closed. The committee then took up Senate Bill 331, which would extend hospital price-transparency requirements to additional health care facilities such as freestanding ERs, urgent care and retail clinics, ambulatory surgical centers, outpatient clinics, and birthing centers. Proponents argued that broader disclosure of prices for shoppable services would help consumers compare costs and reduce surprise billing, while opponents from ambulatory surgery centers said the bill would impose costly compliance burdens on small providers and that insurers or the state already have much of the needed data. The bill was also left pending. Senate Bill 2422 would expunge Texas Medical Board records and impose reparations for disciplinary actions tied to COVID-era treatment decisions, including references to ivermectin, hydroxychloroquine, budesonide, and masks. The author and supporters argued that doctors were unfairly targeted for trying to save patients and should be made whole; the Texas Medical Board representative said most pandemic complaints were dismissed, that actions generally involved broader issues such as privileges, documentation, or informed consent, and that no physician was disciplined solely for prescribing off-label COVID medications. The bill was left pending. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 2207, which would loosen Texas Medical Board rules on physicians advertising themselves as board certified, especially by reducing barriers tied to maintenance of certification requirements. Supporters said the current rule is overly restrictive, inconsistent, and costly, and that it drives physicians out of practice; they also said Texas is one of only a few states with such a rule. Witnesses described hospitals using the rule against physicians and said the change would improve transparency and competition. The bill remained pending after testimony.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
  • Is this a fee >> Okay.
  • those fees in this particular budget. those fees in this particular budget.
  • fee, a lead abatement worker fee, a lead abatement supervisor fee, a lead inspector fee, and a risk
  • assessor fee.
  • fees before or something?
Keywords: 928, house, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Dedicated Funds met to review inactive and dedicated accounts, note prior legislation that had passed, and begin its annual review of agency funds. Members discussed several inactive funds, including some HHS-related accounts, a law enforcement memorial fund, and possible cleanup of accounting references where funds had been reorganized or merged. Staff noted that some newer funds may simply not have started receiving revenue yet, and the committee agreed to follow up on specific accounts later rather than address everything immediately. The committee then heard from Fish and Game on its dedicated funds. Topics included the statewide public boat access account, which is used for boat ramp and access-site maintenance and is supported by boat registration fees and federal funds; the ORV education, training, and enforcement account, which has declined over time and may need attention because revenue depends heavily on weather and snowmobile use; and the search and rescue account, which is funded by Hike Safe cards, a $1 fee from boat and OHRV registrations, and court-ordered fees. Fish and Game also explained that the conservation license plate fund had been merged into the non-game species management account, which is supported by donations, federal funds, and a statutory general fund transfer, and that pheasants are treated as game species under a separate program. The committee spent considerable time on the lifetime license account, an off-book Treasury-held account that collects lifetime license sales and returns funds to Fish and Game based on annual sales plus 9% of the fund balance. Members questioned why the account’s presentation did not clearly show the transfer as a revenue reduction and suggested the reporting format needed cleanup so the flow of money would be easier to understand. Fish and Game said the account is operating properly and that the transfer to the unrestricted Fish and Game fund exceeded $400,000 in the most recent year. The committee also reviewed the publications and fundraising revolving fund, which keeps a $100,000 balance for inventory purchases and transfers excess year-end funds to the unrestricted Fish and Game fund; members again raised concerns that the reporting format did not clearly show the transfer, and staff said they could add a note or other clarification.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

Senate Session (01/07/2026)

New Hampshire Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • >> A fee will be collected.
  • don't think we need to mandate a fee. don't think we need to mandate a fee.
  • It's my understanding this is a user fee and not a tax. We pay tolls. It's a user fee.
  • It's a user fee. It's not a tax. tolls. It's a user fee. It's not a tax.
  • So, it's a user fee. You buy the paint, you pay the fee.
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Judiciary and Public Safety - Part 2 - 04/17/26

Judiciary and Public Safety

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:29:44.720> the<00:29:45.080> DE1 to develop the DE1 to develop the DE1 amendment
  • communications network fee communications network fee to<02:05:26.160> put<02:05:26.400><
  • :32.960> basically<02:05:33.960> um fee basically um fee basically um uh,<02:05:36.000>
  • <02:09:23.600> per um provides for a $50 connect fee per um provides for a $50 connect fee
  • , monthly fee, monthly fee, uh<02:10:09.120> some<02:10:09.400> jurisdictions<02:10
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Health Policy Jan 20th, 2026

Health Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • boards are funded by the Medical Quality Assurance Trust Fund, which contains practitioner licensure fee
  • In contrast, health care boards in some states have direct access to fees and fines revenue without any
  • For example, in Nevada, the Board of Medical Examiners and Board of Osteopathic Medicine deposit fee
  • Other states have a mixed model of funding from fees and fines as well as general fund appropriations
  • to health care boards for expenditures in addition to trust funds composed of practitioner-related fees
Bills: S0428, S0606, S0192, S0162, S0340
Summary: The Senate Health Policy Committee met with a quorum and took up several health-related bills, with a strong focus on drowning prevention and patient safety. SB 428 by Senator Yarborough would expand Florida’s swim lesson voucher program from children ages 0-4 to ages 1-7. Supporters, including a pediatric emergency physician and YMCA leadership, cited Florida’s high child drowning rates and argued that swim lessons reduce risk and should be available to more children. Senator Harrell noted the need to consider increasing the program’s funding as eligibility expands. The bill was reported favorably. The committee also heard SB 606 by Senator Smith, which adds drowning prevention and safe bathing education to postpartum materials provided by hospitals, birthing centers, and, after amendment, no longer home birth providers. A parent who lost a child to drowning testified in support, and senators emphasized the preventability of such deaths. The bill, as amended, was reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 340 by Senator Harrell would require nursing students to complete a two-hour human trafficking course before licensure; after a strike-all amendment shifted the requirement from nursing programs to the students themselves, the bill received support from advocates and was reported favorably as a committee substitute. The committee also considered SB 162 by Senator Davis, which would require hospitals and ambulatory surgical centers to adopt policies for using smoke evacuation systems during procedures that generate surgical smoke. The sponsor said the equipment is relatively inexpensive and already common in many facilities, while opponents and some senators questioned the medical evidence, enforcement, and possible impacts on rural and smaller facilities. Despite those concerns, the bill was reported favorably, with some members voting no. SB 192, presented by Senator Trumbull on behalf of Senator Martin, would remove the $1,500 cap on advances chiropractic physicians may collect for examinations or treatment; the Florida Chiropractic Society supported the change as pro-small-business, and the bill was reported favorably. The committee also received an OPAGA presentation comparing Florida’s health care practitioner regulation system with other states, focusing on board autonomy, rulemaking oversight, board composition, appointments, term limits, and funding mechanisms.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Health Committee Apr 22nd, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • The human brain continues developing into the early 20s.
  • The human brain continues developing into the early 20s.
  • can charge their full fee.
  • This bill provides a solution by increasing the licensing fee.
  • This bill provides a solution by increasing the licensing fee.
Summary: The Assembly Health Committee met on April 22 and took up a special order of bills focused largely on prior authorization and utilization management in health care. The chair framed the discussion as part of a broader legislative effort to reduce delays and barriers to care, especially in behavioral health, chronic disease management, cancer treatment, and rehabilitation services. AB 384 by Assembly Member Connolly would prohibit prior authorization for inpatient mental health or substance use emergency admissions and related physician care; supporters said it would prevent dangerous delays in crisis care, while insurers and health plans warned about fraud, abuse, and ambiguity around residential treatment facilities. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended motion and passed the committee on a party-line style vote, with Republicans largely absent or not voting. The committee then heard AB 510 by Assembly Member Addis, which would require health plans, upon request, to provide a peer reviewer of the same or similar specialty when a treating provider appeals a prior authorization denial or modification. Supporters argued that specialty-matched review would make appeals fairer and more clinically informed; opponents said the requirement was too rigid and that timelines and electronic submission rules needed changes. After discussion about the need for timely, specialty-specific review, the bill was approved on a due pass as amended motion and placed on call. AB 539 by Assembly Member Schiavo would extend prior authorization approvals to one year or the duration of the physician’s prescribed treatment for chronic conditions; supporters cited repeated denials and treatment interruptions, while opponents raised concerns about overbreadth, fraud, and the need for shorter validity periods. The bill was also passed as amended and placed on call. The committee next considered AB 669 by Assembly Member Haney, which would bar concurrent and retrospective review for the first 28 days of medically necessary substance use disorder treatment and limit prior authorization for related outpatient medications. The bill was presented with a powerful personal story from Ryan Matlock’s mother about her son’s death after an insurer cut off treatment early; supporters said the measure would keep patients in care long enough to stabilize, while opponents argued it would reduce oversight and could allow lower-quality or non-evidence-based care. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended motion and placed on call. Finally, AB 512 by Assembly Member Harabedian would shorten prior authorization response times to 24 hours for urgent requests and 48 hours for non-urgent requests; supporters said delays can worsen outcomes, while opponents warned the timelines were unrealistic and could increase administrative burdens and safety issues. The bill was approved as amended and placed on call. AB 574 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez was then heard; it would allow up to 12 medically necessary physical therapy sessions for a new episode of care without prior authorization, with supporters emphasizing stroke and neurological recovery and opponents warning of reduced oversight and unnecessary care. The transcript ends during testimony on AB 574, before final action is shown.
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:
  • I also learned that insurance reimbursement is so low, in particular the facility fees, that many birth
  • We know each of our patients by name for a flat fee of $120 a month.
  • My patients pay an affordable monthly fee that covers all their care with me.
  • So my name is Mary Ann Marshman, and I am the developer of the Flourishing Birth and Community Center
  • We provide primary care services for a nominal monthly fee.
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The committee held a public hearing with testimony on several health care bills, with most of the discussion focused on primary care access, community health center reimbursement, midwifery and birth centers, telehealth, hospital-at-home, direct primary care, and trans-inclusive health care access. Chair Feeney and Chair Murphy opened by noting the large number of signups and asking testifiers to keep remarks brief because of time constraints. Legislators and witnesses repeatedly emphasized that Massachusetts’ primary care system is under strain and that federal policy changes and reimbursement gaps are worsening financial pressure on providers. On community health centers, Representative Blay, Senator Lovely, Michael Curry, Bethany Keeley, Jag Deep Trevetti, Sean Cahill, and Christina Severin all supported H. 1096/S. 711, which would require commercial insurers to pay federally qualified health centers at least the MassHealth prospective payment system rate. They argued that commercial plans currently reimburse health centers below Medicaid rates, threatening sustainability, staffing, and access, especially as federal cuts and coverage losses could increase uncompensated care. Testifiers said the bill would stabilize health centers, protect primary care access, and not cost the state money. A second major topic was H. 1117/S. 784 on sustaining birth centers and the midwifery workforce. Senator Lovely, Senator Miranda, Emily Anesta, Rebecca Orden, Catherine Rushworth, Nishira Burrill, Joel Sutherland, Rachel Blessington, Joelle Ward, and others described the 2024 maternal health omnibus as an important first step, but said birth centers and midwives still face low reimbursement, workforce shortages, and financial instability. They urged reimbursement parity, a workforce development fund, and support for freestanding birth centers, citing improved outcomes, lower C-section rates, better patient experience, and racial equity in maternal health. Several speakers shared personal birth stories and said the bill would help preserve and expand birth options in communities like Roxbury, Worcester, and the North Shore. The committee also heard support for H. 1343 on direct primary care from Dr. Garofalo, Dr. Altman, Dr. Nair, Stephanie Cameron, Dr. Haley Moke-Blessed, and others, who said current insurance rules force patients to use a separate in-network primary care doctor for referrals and sometimes prevent physicians from dispensing medications. They argued the bill would reduce delays, administrative burden, and costs while improving continuity of care. In addition, Dr. Miklides and Sue Stempeck supported H. 1141 on hospital-at-home parity, saying the model has strong outcomes and should be reimbursed at the same rate as brick-and-mortar hospital care. Heather Myers and Katrina Cook testified on telehealth and digital health equity, urging broader coverage for asynchronous care, remote monitoring, interpreter services, and digital literacy supports. SEIU Local 509 supported H. 1188/S. 681 on trans-inclusive health care access, saying it would remove arbitrary insurance barriers to gender-affirming care. No votes or committee actions were taken during the hearing.
VT

Vermont 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Session - 2026-05-01 - 11:30AM

Vermont Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • from a registration fee to a licensing fee.
  • Does not increase the fee. It just changes the name of it.
  • and changes the fee from a registration<01:17:38.200> fee<01:17:38.680> to<01:17:38.920
  • registration fee to a licensing fee. registration fee to a licensing fee.
  • It just Does not increase the fee.
Keywords: 927, senate, all