Video & Transcript Research : 'maternity coverage'

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AL

Alabama 2026 1st Special Session

Alabama Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee Jan 28th, 2026

Finance and Taxation Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • that you're going to be um very interested in some more legislation that will be coming about uh maternal
  • <00:05:28.320> coming<00:05:28.560> about<00:05:29.360> uh<00:05:29.520> maternal
  • that will be coming about uh maternal that will be coming about uh maternal and<00:05:30.320>
  • they willing to accept liability for the same way that these other people and have the necessary coverage
  • Will the coverage match what they...?
Bills: HB245, SB16, SB59, SB62, SB79, SB88
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Children, Families and Persons with Disabilities

Transcript Highlights:
  • We administer the Title V Maternal and Child Health Federal Block Grant, a cornerstone of our state's
  • maternal and child health infrastructure.
  • System, PRAMS, in partnership with the CDC, has been a crucial tool since 2007 for understanding maternal
  • I also want to highlight the landmark maternal health legislation, which expands Massachusetts maternal
  • Supporting maternal and infant health is vital because it lays the foundation for a healthier future
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The hearing was an informational and oversight session of the Joint Committee on Children, Families, and Persons with Disabilities, with chairs and members hearing agency updates from several commissioners. The Department of Public Health’s Bureau of Family Health and Nutrition described its maternal and child health work, including home visiting, early intervention, WIC, newborn hearing screening, and cross-agency efforts on prenatal substance exposure, respite care, children’s vision, and maternal health initiatives. DPH emphasized that federal grant cuts, layoffs, and the loss of data systems such as PRAMS would weaken services and planning, and members asked about Title V funding and the impact of federal uncertainty. The Massachusetts Commission on the Deaf and Hard of Hearing highlighted communication access services, interpreter and CART referrals, emergency after-hours support, family navigation, and independent living services. Commissioners and members discussed the shortage of ASL interpreters and the need to expand training pipelines, including partnerships with colleges and possible ASL programming for younger students. The Department of Developmental Services reported serving nearly 50,000 people and focused on youth and adult services, transition-age supports, autism services, self-direction, respite, and new high-acuity residential models. Members asked about respite availability, self-direction outcomes, and workforce shortages; DDS said it was expanding clinical capacity and provider rates while monitoring possible federal Medicaid, SNAP, and immigration-related impacts. The Commission for the Blind described services for about 28,000 legally blind residents, most of whom are older adults, including social rehabilitation, orientation and mobility training, children’s services, assistive technology, vocational rehabilitation, and Turning 22 supports. The commissioner discussed a UMass-based effort to build the workforce pipeline for blindness services and said the agency was watching federal restructuring but had not yet seen direct cuts. MassAbility’s leadership then warned about major federal changes affecting Social Security disability determinations, including staff restructuring, office closures, and a new overpayment repayment policy, and said the agency was preparing for possible increases in claims and uncertainty around reallotment dollars that help fund services. The Disabled Persons Protection Commission closed the hearing with an update on its abuse investigations and protective services for adults with disabilities. DPPC reported rising hotline calls and investigations, a growing caseload, its sexual assault response team, the abuser registry, and a new interagency protective services integration system funded by ARPA dollars through 2027. The agency also flagged new federal rules that could affect funding eligibility and said it may need statutory changes to comply. Members asked about funding, reporting pathways, and how complaints reach DPPC, and the commissioner said the agency uses both mandated reporting and proactive outreach to identify and respond to abuse.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

HLT-HHS Informational Briefing 03-06-2026

Hawaii Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And to Chair's point, we're facing an insurance nightmare of people losing coverage, and when they don't
  • have coverage, they need to know where they can go and get that coverage so that 15% should be front
  • coverage they need to know where they coverage they need to know where they can<00:58:38.880> go
  • c><00:58:39.000> and<00:58:39.120> get<00:58:39.320> that<00:58:39.520> coverage
  • so that 15% can go and get that coverage so that 15% should<00:58:40.920> be<00:58:41.040>
Bills: HB20, HB276, HB644, HB812, HB816, HB916, HB1131, HB1247, HB1518, HB1525, HB1537, HB1541, HB1546, HB1553, HB1562, HB1565, HB1566, HB1576, HB1577, HB1591, HB1605, HB1612, HB1613, HB1614, HB1618, HB1620, HB1650, HB1656, HB1658, HB1661, HB1664, HB1668, HB1676, HB1707, HB1711, HB1713, HB1715, HB1718, HB1727, HB1749, HB1756, HB1774, HB1776, HB1801, HB1802, HB1805, HB1813, HB1815, HB1831, HB1838, HB1853, HB1854, HB1859, HB1863, HB1871, HB1872, HB1918, HB1920, HB1952, HB1965, HB1966, HB1967, HB1969, HB1972, HB1973, HB1974, HB1975, HB1980, HB1985, HB2005, HB2023, HB2031, HB2033, HB2062, HB2113, HB2114, HB2116, HB2138, HB2139, HB2156, HB2158, HB2159, HB2171, HB2208, HB2268, HB2270, HB2272, HB2273, HB2276, HB2289, HB2310, HB2315, HB2335, HB2338, HB2339, HB2340, HB2343, HB2361, HB2384, HB2387, SB2338, SB2431, SB2438, SB2593, SB2907, SB2671, SB2321, SB3084, SB2401, SB3033, SB2972, SB3032, SB2806, SB3014, SB2108, SB2981, SB2973, SB2423, SB2078, SB2322, SB2397, SB2896, SB2088, SB2347, SB2408, SB2970, SB2851, SB2713, SB2697, SB2312, SB2192, SB2363, SB2530, SB3028, SB2024, SB3007, SB2599, SB2596, SB2662, SB2930, SB3334, SB2378, SB3019, SB3231, SB2240, SB2372, SB2175, SB2046, SB2298, SB2922, SB2835, SB3263, SB2174, SB2128, SB2006, SB2489, SB3134, SB2982, SB2425, SB2849, SB2797, SB2795, SB2575, SB2521, SB2765, SB2386, SB2852, SB2022, SB2117, SB2277, SB2387, SB2688, SB2885, SB3132, SB3219, SB2169, SB2591, SB2090, SB2983, SB888, SB3249, SB2611, SB2429, SB2463, SB3154, SB3131, SB3152, SB3315, SB2448, SB2054, SB2140, SB2520, SB2377, SB2986, SB2010, SB2189, SB2026, SB3010, SB2818, SB2002
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Health and Human Services REVISED Apr 20th, 2026 at 02:00 pm

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • Insurance policies that offer medical surgical benefits to insurers cannot terminate coverage solely
  • The plans must provide coverage and benefits for individuals diagnosed with epilepsy.
  • Comparable to other medical conditions, the coverage must include epilepsy care when clinical criteria
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
  • What I learned is that Medicare supplement coverage for people under 65 is not necessarily the case here
  • And so there'll be shifts within the coverage range within Medicare supplement.
  • So when I learned about the rising maternal mortality rates in Arizona, I was...
  • And it is the number one cause of maternal death.
  • HB 2182 does not regulate rates or mandate coverage decisions.
Keywords: 1182, all
Summary: The committee heard House Bill 2433, which would require insurers offering Medicare supplement policies to people 65 and older to also offer them to Medicare beneficiaries under 65 with ALS or end-stage renal disease, with enrollment periods and premium protections tied to 65-year-old rates. Supporters, including dialysis and ALS advocates, said the bill would help a small population facing high out-of-pocket costs and could improve access to transplants and care; opponents argued it would shift costs onto older seniors and raise Medigap premiums. The committee recommended the bill do pass on a 12-0 vote. The committee also heard House Bill 2593, appropriating $1.5 million to the University of Arizona for the Arizona Perinatal Psychiatry Access Line. The sponsor and physicians testified that the line helps obstetric and pediatric providers quickly consult on perinatal depression, postpartum psychosis, suicidality, and other mental health crises, improving outcomes for mothers, children, and families and reducing costly emergency and crisis care. The bill received a do pass recommendation on a 10-1 vote. House Concurrent Resolution 2013, proclaiming June 2026 as Celebrate Life Month, drew emotional testimony from a young woman with spina bifida and another speaker supporting the sanctity of life. Some members objected that the state should focus on practical supports such as paid leave, child care, and health care access, while others supported the resolution as a statement of human dignity. The resolution passed the committee 7-5. The committee then approved House Bill 4010, creating a Board of Genetic Counselors and licensure standards, after testimony from genetic counselors and a patient advocate about the need for qualified counseling and better access; it passed 11-1. Later, the committee approved House Bill 2196, which would require pharmacy benefit managers to reimburse non-affiliated pharmacies at least their acquisition cost and pay a dispensing fee, and establish an appeals process. Independent pharmacists and their coalition said PBM practices are driving closures and unfairly favor affiliated pharmacies, while PBM and employer representatives warned of major cost increases and said the bill would interfere with private contracts; the bill passed 11-1. The committee also adopted a strike-everything amendment to House Bill 2182 requiring insurers and health plans to report claims denial and prior authorization data to DIFI, and then gave the amended bill a 12-0 do pass recommendation. Finally, the committee approved House Bill 2189, directing the Board of Nursing to update rules for licensed health aides and collect annual data, with the sponsor and board staff saying it would help implement routine ventilator care in the home; it passed 12-0. The committee then began hearing House Bill 2404, a strike-everything amendment on inter-facility transports for behavioral health patients, but the transcript cuts off before action on that bill.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Floor Session May 26th, 2026

California House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • AB 1882 establishes the Safe Delivery Fund Pilot Program to protect access to essential maternity and
  • The high fixed standby costs of maintaining 24-7 obstetric, surgical, and pediatric coverage are not
  • It will help keep maternity services open, therefore preventing more maternity care deserts in rural
  • Assembly Bill 2551 by Assembly Member Elhawary and an act relating to health care coverage. Ms.
  • Assembly Bill 1910 by Assembly Member Bonta and an act relating to maternal health.
Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and proceeded through a large House of Origin floor file, with the Speaker repeatedly urging members to be at their desks and keep support bills brief. Early actions included dispensing with the journal, re-referring AB 2285 to the Banking and Finance Committee, and then taking up dozens of third-reading items, with many bills passed by voice or recorded vote and others passed temporarily or retained on file. The floor debated and passed a wide range of measures on land use, housing, labor, public safety, health care, utilities, taxation, and consumer protection. Among the bills approved were measures on land surveyor review (AB 1933), nurse midwife access for pregnant and postpartum patients (AB 1696), historic-district transit zoning flexibility (AB 2415), EV charging infrastructure fees and timelines (AB 1820), foreclosure bidding protections (AB 1957), tribal cannabis commerce (AB 2506), outdoor advertising permitting (AB 2024), commercial building permit timelines and third-party plan checkers (AB 2418), DUI penalties (AB 1685 and AB 1687), utility rate transparency (AB 1715), CalWORKs work-penalty changes (AB 1755), dynamic electricity rates (AB 1787), interior designer licensure (AB 1796), compost labeling and contamination rules (AB 1812), modular housing standardization (AB 1815), small claims limits for businesses (AB 1827), Native American Day as a paid state holiday (AB 1841), hospital staffing and maternity access bills (AB 1868 and AB 1882), protective orders tied to release dates (AB 1889), and a series of public health, missing persons, and teacher credentialing measures later in the file. Several high-profile bills drew extended debate. AB 2624, expanding Safe at Home privacy protections to immigrant service providers, prompted sharp disagreement over free speech and alleged limits on online posting, but supporters said it protected workers facing threats and doxing; it ultimately passed 49-19. AB 2023, creating a framework for regulating AI chatbots used by children, was framed as a child-safety measure after testimony about chatbot-related harms and suicide risks, and passed 58-8. Other notable votes included AB 2208 on Medi-Cal protections against federal cuts, AB 2299 on CalFresh/SNAP losses, AB 2115 apologizing to California Native peoples for historic state harms, and AB 2311 on public hospital physician employment; the transcript ends as the Assembly continues working through the remaining file.
NY

New York 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Standing Committee on Women's Issues - 02/25/2026

Women's Issues

Transcript Highlights:
  • act to amend the public health law in relation to review of projects affecting the availability of maternal
  • also by me, and the clerk will read: An act to amend the insurance law in relation to requiring coverage
Keywords: 993, senate, all
Summary: The Women’s Issues Committee met on February 25, 2026, with a quorum present and Senators Baskin and Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick participating. The committee considered six bills focused on women’s health, maternal care, and lactation access. These included S.520 on ovarian cancer survivor screening rights, S.1305A on hospital care for mastectomy, lumpectomy, and lymph node dissection patients, S.6232 to make permanent a prenatal and postpartum informational mobile app currently being piloted by the governor, S.7048 on review of projects affecting maternal service availability, S.7731 on insurance coverage for a hospitalized birth parent’s inter-hospital transport to accompany an infant, and S.8542 to create a directory webpage for lactation accommodations in state-owned and state-leased buildings. Members generally expressed support for the measures, with brief discussion on the prenatal/postpartum app bill noting it had been operating as a pilot and would be made permanent. Senator Canzoneri-Fitzpatrick also shared a personal comment in support of the infant transport coverage bill, describing the difficulty that would arise if a newborn needed NICU transport while the parent remained at another hospital. The chair emphasized the importance of the bills for birthing people and maternal health access. All six bills were approved by motion and vote. S.520 and S.6232 were advanced to finance, while S.1305A, S.7048, S.7731, and S.8542 were reported to first reading. The meeting then adjourned.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/09/2026 - Senate Finance

Finance

Transcript Highlights:
  • We looked to other states—30 of them—that offer expansion of coverage through allowing small businesses
  • Chair, members, House Bill 2138 defines firefighter for the purposes of workers' compensation coverage
  • I'll have to get back to you on the coverage of the vehicle. I know. Okay.
  • I'll have to get back to you on the coverage of the vehicle. I know. Okay.
  • Would that then be subject to that coverage? Mr.
Summary: The Senate Finance Committee met to consider several bills and two Arizona State Retirement System nominees. It first passed House Bill 2173, which allows taxpayers and tax officers to communicate electronically about proposed property tax corrections or claims, with an acknowledgement required when responses are sent electronically. The committee then recommended confirmation of Thomas J. Connolly and Charles Essex to the ASRS Board, both receiving unanimous or near-unanimous support after brief introductions and no substantive opposition. The committee next approved several ASRS-related bills: House Bill 2089 clarifies that the ASRS health insurance premium subsidy applies only when coverage is not already subsidized; House Bill 2090 changes the disability definition tied to long-term disability benefits by removing the requirement that the 24 months occur within a five-year period; and House Bill 2092 shifts the 30-day waiver window for certain members age 65 or older from the date of hire to the date they become eligible to participate. All three passed on largely party-line or near-unanimous votes. The committee also passed House Bill 2120, with a technical amendment, allowing Social Security Administration disability determination letters to be used to certify eligibility for the property tax exemption for persons with disabilities. House Bill 2693 drew the most debate. It revises Arizona’s bona fide association health plan and multiple employer welfare arrangement provisions to align with ERISA rather than the rescinded 2018 federal AHP rule, and an amendment added a feasibility study by the Arizona Department of Administration on state employee and school district health plans. Supporters argued the bill would expand affordable, voluntary coverage options for small businesses and increase buying power; opponents raised concerns about consumer protections, preexisting conditions, and the history of association health plans. The committee ultimately passed the bill as amended on a 5-1 vote. Later, the committee passed House Bill 2138, which clarifies that workers’ compensation coverage for firefighters traveling directly to or from work applies to state, municipal, fire district, and fire authority firefighters. It also passed House Bill 2273, a one-time $300 income tax rebate for certain Pinal County residents funded from remaining escrowed transportation-related monies; members discussed whether the remaining funds should instead be directed to roads, but the bill advanced on a 3-2 vote. Finally, House Bill 2786 passed unanimously, exempting rental income from required college textbooks from transaction privilege tax under the personal property rental classification.
MN

Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session

House Health Finance and Policy Committee 1/22/25

Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Their insurance coverage is cancelled.
  • Their insurance coverage is cancelled.
  • Their premium, their insurance coverage, is cancelled.
  • Their premium, their insurance coverage, is cancelled.
  • Making health coverage more expensive for everyone.
Keywords: 1183, house
Summary: The Health Finance and Policy Committee heard testimony from the Minnesota Hospital Association and several hospital leaders about the financial strain facing hospitals across Minnesota. The association’s CEO said hospitals are essential 24/7 safety-net providers, but rising labor, supply, technology, and drug costs are outpacing reimbursement from Medicaid, Medicare, and commercial payers. He warned that many not-for-profit hospitals are struggling, that workforce shortages remain significant, and that the committee should consider help on Medicaid rates, discharge/boarding problems, mental health services, workforce development, protecting the 340B drug discount program, and avoiding new mandates that add costs. Relle Schultz of Winona Health described a community hospital with a 49-bed facility and long-term care services that has faced years of losses, including a $17 million loss in 2023 and $12 million in losses the following year. She said government payers now make up about 65% of the hospital’s mix, and each 1% increase in that mix costs about $1 million. She highlighted the difficulty of sustaining services such as dialysis, which was nearly closed until a local donor provided $3 million to keep it open for three years, and she emphasized the importance of 340B savings and the need for higher Medicaid payments. Carrie Mulski of Riverview Health in Crookston said critical access hospitals are also under pressure despite their federal designation. She explained that federal support has eroded, that Medicaid and other public programs do not cover full costs, and that her hospital’s 340B savings help keep the doors open. She said Riverview opened a new hospital in 2020 but was hit by the pandemic and inflation, leading to annual losses of $5 million to $6 million and a negative operating margin of 9% to 10%. She also described bond covenant problems, low cash on hand, the prior closure of the nursing home, and the need for rapid state action to stabilize rural hospitals and preserve access to care.
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Budget Committee Apr 10th, 2025

Budget

Transcript Highlights:
  • To what extent did the expansion of Medi-Cal coverage to undocumented individuals contribute to the increased
  • that is because when I look at the Department of Finance's 2024 budget for undocumented Medi-Cal coverage
  • keep health care for people. who truly need it in a situation where we've had hospital closures, maternity
  • We support full Medi-Cal funding and protecting coverage gains, significant in reducing California's
  • According to the Public Policy Institute of California (PPIC), when insurance coverage is factored in
Keywords: 988, house, all
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Education REVISED Apr 7th, 2026 at 10:00 am

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • This bill adds in maternity leave for adoptive parents as long as the child is up to the age of 4, that
  • estimated cost would be covered by the maternity leave revolving fund.
  • So we do not need to add additional dollars because they have that to cover in the maternity leave revolving
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Assembly Budget Committee Apr 10th, 2025

Transcript Highlights:
  • Okay, to what extent did the expansion of Medi-Cal coverage to undocumented individuals contribute to
  • At what extent did the expansion on Medi-Cal coverage to undocumented individuals contribute to the increased
  • that is because when I look at the Department of Finance's 2024 budget for undocumented Medi-Cal coverage
  • And according to the PPIC, the Public Policy Institute of California, when insurance coverage is factored
  • And according to the PPIC, the Public Policy Institute of California, when insurance coverage is factored
Summary: The Assembly Budget Committee held an informational hearing on SB 100/AB 100, the early action budget bills, with a focus on Medi-Cal funding, wildfire recovery, and several smaller budget adjustments. The Department of Finance explained that the bill would add $2.8 billion General Fund and $8.3 billion federal funds for Medi-Cal, along with other items including wildfire-related local assistance for Los Angeles County, property tax backfills for fire-damaged local agencies, Cal OES wildfire monitoring authority, nonprofit security grants, the Property Tax Postponement Fund, FARMER and Clean Cars for All funding, foster family home insurance claims, Proposition 98 technical assistance for LA wildfire-impacted schools, teacher credentialing authority, and Proposition 4 climate bond appropriations for wildfire and forest resilience projects. Much of the member discussion centered on rising Medi-Cal costs, the recent $3.4 billion cash-flow loan, and whether the new appropriation would cover payments through June. Finance said the new funds were for program costs and cash flow, not repayment of the loan, and that no additional loan authority remained. Members also debated the causes of higher Medi-Cal spending, including expanded eligibility, higher enrollment, pharmacy costs, and federal policy changes. The LAO noted that forecasting errors are not unusual but that current revisions are somewhat higher than typical, though not unprecedented. Several members emphasized that Medi-Cal supports access to care and hospital stability, while others raised concerns about sustainability and future federal cuts. Public commenters largely supported the bill, especially the Medi-Cal funding and wildfire-related provisions. Health and labor advocates argued that the program is functioning as intended by covering more low-income Californians and preventing uncompensated care. Representatives of special districts and the Altadena Library District supported the property tax backfill provisions tied to the Eaton fire. The hearing ended without a vote, with the chair noting that the committee would adjourn for floor session and that the Assembly would vote on one of the early action bills later that morning.
NJ

New Jersey 2026-2027 Regular Session

Assembly Session Jun 11th, 2026

New Jersey House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • World Health Organization created what the sponsors describe as, and I quote, a void in world health coverage
  • We continue to rank among the worst states in the nation for maternal health outcomes.
  • World Health Organization created what the sponsors describe as, and I quote, avoid in world health coverage
  • We continue to rank among the worst states in the nation for maternal health outcomes.
Keywords: 1146, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

89th Legislative Session Mar 3rd, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Gladly, the Health Benefit Coverage of Hair Processes for Cancer Patients referred to the Committee on
  • certain health care facility for the committee on public health a 3 5 14 by Leilani leading to the maternal
  • HB 564 by Cortez relating to health benefit plan coverage for treatment of autism spectrum disorders
Keywords: 1184, house, all
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

2026 Legislative Session - Day Seventy - Thursday, May 14 - Morning Session

Missouri House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • also updates the Pregnancy Associated Mortality Review Board to include the study and review of maternity
  • There was something about the insurance coverage of anesthesia services.
  • It is the insurance coverage of anesthesia services, and it is remaining.” “Perfect.
  • that I've worked on in this body for about four years or so, trying to find a way to mitigate our maternal
  • We actually have the highest of the averages of all of the national averages of maternal deaths throughout
Keywords: 959, house, all
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Health and Human Services May 20th, 2025

Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • So House Bill 3057 would ensure that if a plan covers this treatment, then they must provide coverage
  • She and I have worked on a lot of maternal issues together.
  • Senate Bill 750 in the 86th Legislature furthered Senate Bill 15's efforts by establishing a maternal
  • HB 12 of the 88th Legislature extended Medicare, Medicaid, rather, coverage for postpartum women to 12
  • Members, we know the importance of maternal mortality care. We must do more to work on this.
Summary: The committee met without a quorum at first, then established a quorum with five members present. Members heard and left pending several House bills, including HB 4743 on allowing hospitals to license mobile stroke units under a hospital license, HB 4129 on earlier DFPS enforcement tools for single-source continuum contractors in community-based foster care, HB 4903 creating a Quad Agency Child Care Initiative to coordinate child care regulations across state agencies, HB 3812 revising the gold card/prior authorization process for physicians, HB 4535 requiring written informed consent before COVID-19 vaccination and a standardized state information sheet, and HB 4666 reducing the frequency of some HHSC reports to the legislature. The chair also noted HB 35 would be voted on later after a subcommittee back was received, and that a large number of bills would be heard the next day. Most of the testimony focused on HB 4535 and HB 4730. On HB 4535, supporters argued the bill would strengthen informed consent for COVID vaccination by requiring written consent and clearer state-level information about risks, manufacturer liability protections, and adverse-event reporting; opponents, including a pediatrician and medical groups, said existing federal and state informed-consent materials already cover these topics and warned the bill could create duplicative paperwork and penalties. On HB 3812, the Texas Medical Association supported changes that would extend the gold-card evaluation period to one year, raise transparency, and make prior authorization exemptions easier to administer, while health plans said they were neutral and viewed the bill as a balance between reducing burden and preventing fraud or unsafe care. HB 4730 drew extensive testimony from adoption professionals, birth mothers, adoptive parents, and child welfare advocates. The bill would require DFPS to create a relinquishment form, train child-placing agency staff, and extend the minimum waiting period for voluntary relinquishment from 48 hours to seven days. Supporters of the current law argued the 48-hour period aligns with hospital discharge, allows informed decisions, and helps birth parents and adoptive families begin healing and bonding without pushing children into foster care or creating legal and Medicaid complications. The author said the bill would be revised and that the seven-day provision was a work in progress. No votes were taken on the bills during the meeting; each bill was left pending after public testimony closed.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

2026 Legislative Session - Day Sixty Nine - Wednesday, May 13

Missouri House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • conference committee report includes language, as I explained to the lady, that expands insurance coverage
  • Insurance coverage for contraception from a six-month supply to a 12-month supply.
  • Fifty-eight counties in Missouri are maternity-care deserts. About 12 rural hospitals have closed.
  • Fifty-eight counties in Missouri are maternity-care deserts, all red counties, all red districts.
  • I agree prenatal maternal care must be prioritized. I agree we must increase access.
Keywords: 959, house, all
Summary: The House opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journal for the prior day by a 123-0 roll call vote. Members then used points of personal privilege to recognize National Police Week and honor fallen law enforcement officers with a moment of silence, and several members gave farewell remarks for departing colleagues and interns. The chamber also introduced a number of special guests, including student groups, interns, a former representative, and the University of Missouri wheelchair basketball team. The House then took up Senate messages and committee reports before acting on House Committee Substitute for House Bills 1839, 2921, and 3015. The sponsor explained the Senate amendment was a technical correction to an online age-verification provision related to pornography; the House concurred 104-30 and then finally passed the package 112-25. The chamber also considered the conference committee report on House Bill 2596, which was described as a small-business health plan measure that modernizes pooled-plan language and adds a 12-month contraception coverage provision while removing a Senate-added blood pressure cuff requirement. After debate on the conference report and a severability clause, the House adopted the report 120-26 and then third-read and passed the bill 119-27. Finally, the House debated Senate Bill 905, which would create the Missouri Ranger training program allowing schools to optionally place specially trained personnel with narrow law-enforcement authority on campus. Debate focused heavily on school safety, local control, training standards, liability, funding, and whether the proposal would improve protection or instead increase the presence of guns in schools. Supporters argued it would give districts another optional safety tool, especially where school resource officers are unavailable, while opponents said schools need more mental health and educational resources rather than armed personnel and raised concerns about training, child development, and unintended harm. The House adopted an amendment clarifying the program after a 96-46 vote, but the transcript cuts off before final passage of the bill.
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Medi-Cal, the department's flagship program, currently provides health coverage to nearly 15 million
  • Continuous coverage unwinding or the overdose prevention and harm reduction initiatives.
  • We've done so much to expand healthcare coverage.
  • The other is the status of the health. coverage of the student.
  • Geographically speaking, there is broad coverage of community supports today.
Keywords: 988, house, all
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Economic Development, Workforce and Tourism 2ND REVISED Feb 24th, 2026 at 01:30 pm

Economic Development, Workforce and Tourism

Transcript Highlights:
  • We need better health coverage from employers in the state.
  • We've accomplished paid maternity leave for state employees and for teachers.
  • So every single state has a form like We've already adopted maternity leave for teachers and state employees
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 3/13/25

Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • I had 10 days of paid maternity leave when I began teaching seven years ago in Champaign, Illinois.
  • She told me, 'Your sick days aren't sick days; that's your future maternity leave.
  • for a future maternity for a future maternity leave<00:35:13.440> when<00:35:13.599> I
  • I'm not saying it's a blanket coverage, but what I've heard is St.
  • but what I've heard is St Louis coverage but what I've heard is St Louis County<01:20:48.040> has
Bills: HF1976