Video & Transcript : 'access to services' :
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UT
Utah 2025 Regular Session
Health and Human Services Interim Committee - November 19, 2025
Health and Human Services Interim Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- Welcome to the Health and Human Services Interim Committee meeting.
- expanding access to mental health care.
- I urge you to support this bill, which ensures patients in Utah have access to behavioral...
- We're working to improve access to high-quality behavioral health treatment services.
- Our fourth request is to ensure access to peer recovery support services.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board (9-24-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> service and I look at the cost to service and I look at the cost to increase<00:18:28.560><c> that
- </c><00:23:16.320><c> meet</c> services, but they would have to meet services, but they would have to
- ><00:46:37.280><c> between</c> Services to bridge the gap between Services to bridge the gap between
- </c> equitable access to care. equitable access to care.
- ><c> data,</c> being able to properly access that data, being able to properly access that data, I<01
Summary:
The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board met on September 24, 2025, approved the minutes from the September 9 meeting, and then continued its discussion of Medicaid waivers with Leslie Hoffman and Carmen Hancock from the Department for Medicaid Services. Members asked for updates on the 2024 waiver waitlist management assessment recommendations, including aligning waiver policies, standardizing applications and waitlist placement, and modernizing data systems. DMS said that work is being done jointly with Aging and Independent Living and Behavioral Health/Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities through task forces, that ARPA spending delayed action, and that implementation timelines extend through March 2027.
The board also reviewed per-member waiver cost averages for fiscal years 2023 through 2025 for ABI, ABI long-term care, HCBS, Model II, Michelle P, and SCL. DMS emphasized these figures were benefit-only averages based on paid claims, not full waiver costs, and explained that true budget neutrality is calculated on an aggregate basis against institutional care comparisons approved by CMS. DMS said all six waivers remain in compliance with budget neutrality and that the most recent 18-month lag review for FY 2022 and FY 2023 found costs at or below institutional care. Members also asked about unused waiver slots; DMS said slots generally cannot be reallocated mid-year if they have been used, except in cases such as death or reserved capacity, because CMS treats participants as unduplicated for the waiver year.
A major portion of the meeting focused on the new child waiver created under House Bill 6. Legislators questioned whether the waiver’s design, including the exclusion of participant-directed services and the emphasis on high-acuity children with behavioral health, DCBS, or juvenile justice involvement, matched the bill’s intent to keep children at home. DMS said it used the $14.7 million appropriated for FY 2026 to develop the program, that there is no priority list, and that the waiver is intended to serve the highest-acuity children while also addressing residential needs for those sleeping in offices or placed out of state. Members also raised concerns about the rapid growth of the HCBS waiting list and asked for more detail on age and timing patterns, which DMS said it would provide later. Finally, DMS gave average processing times from application to eligibility determination and from approval to service start, and said the overall average from application to services beginning was about 80 days, while members requested follow-up information on the Carewise assessment contract and related costs.
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
HSH Public Hearing - Thu Apr 10, 2025 @ 11:30 AM HST
Human Services & Homelessness
Transcript Highlights:
- Just kind of highlighting the fact that accessible facilities are essential to ensuring independence
- Like I said earlier, we have to maintain certain widths for accessible access for wheelchairs and whatnot
- Like I said earlier, we have to maintain certain widths for accessible access for wheelchairs and whatnot
- me about trying to increase equitable access across the state for these facilities.
- You know, we have a responsibility to provide equal access.
Summary:
The committee heard STR 73 SD1, which requests the Office of Wellness and Resilience to develop a report on the developmental needs of children born during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Office of Wellness and Resilience testified in support, saying it was eager to work with local researchers on evidence-based, community-informed recommendations. Support also came from a Zoom testifier, the Department of Education, and the Hawaii Community Foundation. The testifier emphasized the need for trauma-informed supports for children who were ages zero to five during COVID, especially in communities also affected by the Kilauea eruption and the Maui wildfires. Members discussed the long-term impacts of the pandemic and natural disasters on children, and one member said they would support the measure but vote with reservations because they wanted the phrase “climate crisis” changed to “natural disasters.” The committee adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass the resolution as is, with some members noting reservations.
The committee then took up SCR 239 SD1, which asks DAGS, DLNR, and the City and County of Honolulu Department of Parks and Recreation to provide universal changing accommodations in state and county facilities and parks. DAGS submitted comments, DLNR State Parks testified that it supported the intent but raised concerns about the cost and feasibility of retrofitting existing facilities, noting it has 73 comfort stations statewide, ongoing vandalism and maintenance issues, and possible ADA space conflicts. The Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Hawaii Disability Rights Center supported the measure, with testimony stressing that accessible changing facilities are important for independence and equity for people with disabilities. In response to questions, DLNR said it had not received complaints about the lack of such infrastructure and that any future installations should be considered in new designs rather than existing facilities. After discussion, the chair moved to defer the resolution, citing budget and implementation concerns and suggesting the issue be revisited in the future with a revised approach and possible needs assessment. The committee agreed to defer SCR 239 SD1 and then adjourned.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- from Phoenix to rural cities, hoping to advance access to health care and build close relationships
- And again, I'd love to talk about access to care and ways to expand access to care.
- And this just allows that to happen. It's access to health care.
- Pharmacists are performing these services not for any other reason except to make health care accessible
- they want to contract with a provider to provide a service.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Convention State of the Judiciary Address Mar 23rd, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- the rule of law, to public service, and to ensuring meaningful access to justice for every single person
- as we work to expand access to justice and improve efficiency across the judicial branch.
- ensure that courts remain open and accessible to everyone.
- access to justice for all Californians.
- On our three-branch solutions to improve access to justice in California, his willingness to listen to
Summary:
The Legislature recessed into a joint convention for the 2026 State of the Judiciary, escorted the California Supreme Court justices to the rostrum, and heard remarks from legislative leaders and Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero. The speakers emphasized judicial independence, the rule of law, and the importance of the courts as a co-equal branch of government. The Chief Justice framed her address as a calm report on the judiciary’s work and major challenges, while thanking legislative and executive partners for collaboration.
Chief Justice Guerrero highlighted several policy and operational issues facing the courts. She urged continued support for remote proceedings, noting more than 6 million remote hearings since 2022 and strong user satisfaction, and discussed the CARE Act’s statewide implementation, including petition and agreement numbers and the recent expansion to cover certain bipolar disorders. She also raised concerns about judicial security and privacy, threats and negative rhetoric toward judges, courthouse access issues tied to federal immigration enforcement, and the need for more judgeships and funding in high-need counties such as Riverside and San Bernardino.
She also discussed the judiciary’s response to artificial intelligence, including guidance on generative AI, deepfakes, and evidence admissibility, and reported corrective actions after the troubled February 2025 bar exam, including scoring adjustments, expanded provisional licensing, and a return to in-person testing. Additional points included proposed ongoing funding for trial courts, long-standing judicial salary disparities, and the Judicial Council’s 100th anniversary. No votes were taken; the joint convention concluded with the address ordered printed in the Journal and an invitation to a reception for members and guests.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Convention State of the Judiciary Address Mar 23rd, 2026
California Joint Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- the rule of law, to public service, and to ensuring meaningful access to justice for every single person
- as we work to expand access to justice and improve efficiency across the judicial branch.
- ensure that courts remain open and accessible to everyone.
- access to justice for all Californians.
- On our three-branch solutions to improve access to justice in California, his willingness to listen to
Summary:
The Legislature convened in joint convention for the 2026 State of the Judiciary, escorting Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero and the Associate Justices to the rostrum and recognizing statewide constitutional officers in attendance. Legislative leaders welcomed the court and framed the address around the importance of judicial independence, equal justice, and the judiciary’s role in California’s democracy.
Chief Justice Guerrero reported on several major judicial branch priorities. She emphasized rising threats to judges and court security, the need to extend authority for remote proceedings beyond its current sunset, and the ongoing implementation of the CARE Act in all 58 counties, including data on petitions, agreements, and plans. She also discussed trial court funding and persistent judgeship shortages, especially in Riverside and San Bernardino counties, where congested calendars have led to case dismissals and heavy use of temporary assigned judges.
The Chief Justice also addressed the judiciary’s response to artificial intelligence, including guidance on generative AI, deepfakes, and evidence issues, as well as concerns about federal immigration enforcement at courthouses and its effect on access to justice. She reviewed corrective actions after the February 2025 bar exam problems, including scoring adjustments, a return to in-person testing, and rule changes for attorney admissions. She closed by noting judicial salary concerns, the 100th anniversary of the Judicial Council, and the need for continued collaboration with the Governor and Legislature.
No votes were taken. The joint convention ordered the State of the Judiciary address printed in the Journal as a separate appendix and then adjourned, with an invitation extended to a reception with the Chief Justice later that evening.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection - 03/24/26
Commerce and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- ,</c> uh access to what people need, uh access to what people need, price<00:10:29.600><c> has</c><00
- So, patients will continue to have access to products that are not subject to adult-use potency limits
- </c> access to medical cannabis. access to medical cannabis.
- </c><00:46:36.600><c> to</c> Uh and people now don't have access to Uh and people now don't have access
- have access to the services<01:25:57.680><c> they</c><01:25:57.840><c> need.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Health Policy Apr 1st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We need to ensure that they have access to the specialty care and providers needed.
- to services.
- I just want to reiterate the services that DOH will continue to do others.
- Any person to provide proof of mrna vaccine to gain entry or receive services.
- We just want to access to health care. Thank. Thank you. >> Thank you.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Science, Technology and Telecommunications Nov 12th, 2025
Science, Technology & Telecommunications Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- In order to do that, things need to look the same, data needs to be accessible, and a lot of the value
- We want to be able to provide a service that, while having monthly meetings is great, we would like to
- We aim to enable the design of citizen-centric services that are accessible, efficient, and consistent
- Who has access to the dashboard, or who's able to look at that?
- agile approach to build better systems at lower costs unrelated to services.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Senate Health and Human Services (01/21/2026)
Health and Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- uh to get access to the appropriate level of care.
- </c><01:15:07.199><c> to</c> of Health and Human Services to of Health and Human Services to incorporate
- > accessible</c><02:20:19.439><c> to</c><02:20:19.760><c> people</c> they're meant to be accessible to
- </c><02:31:44.560><c> to</c> because of the expanded access to because of the expanded access to treatment
- ><c> access,</c> commitment to improving access, commitment to improving access, affordability,<04:30
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
Health and Human Services Oversight Committee (05/29/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- are they collecting, who's going to have access to it internally, who's going to have access to it from
- </c> who's going to have access to it who's going to have access to it internally,<00:37:29.800><c> who's
- got access to data.
- So those are all contributing factors. >> And can I just add, I just want to add to the access to services
- > just</c> the the access to services isn't just the the access to services isn't just the<01:09:02.759
Summary:
The committee met on May 29 and approved the draft minutes. DHHS Commissioner Weaver then opened the department update by asking Medicaid Director Henry Litman to brief members on federal and state Medicaid changes, and later turned to DHHS Chief Operating Officer David Weathers for an update on data governance. Members also asked that acronyms be spelled out in future materials and requested a follow-up on the federal Medicaid rule once it is published.
Litman reviewed several federal Medicaid provisions tied to HR 1/"OBBA" and related state implementation issues. He said the first major change would be restrictions on certain non-citizens’ Medicaid coverage, affecting about 400 people in New Hampshire, with notices likely 30 to 60 days before the effective date. He also discussed new work requirements/community engagement rules, saying New Hampshire is on track to implement them and will likely need a state plan amendment rather than an 1115 waiver. Other changes included shorter retroactive coverage periods, a new state option for certain community-based services with an estimated $740,000 in implementation support, a freeze and phased-down reduction in the Medicaid enhancement tax beginning in state fiscal year 2029, and limits on directed payments to hospitals after a grandfathering period. He also noted that Medicaid enrollment has fallen from pandemic-era levels, with about 167,000 people covered as of May 1, and that the department is working with CMS on child premiums and other cost-sharing changes approved in HB 2.
Committee members asked how the department could plan for the 2029 changes given the number of elections before then, and Litman said federal rules may be adjusted over time as states and stakeholders raise concerns. He emphasized planning for the worst while hoping for the best, and said rural health care transformation funding would help the state prepare. In the second presentation, Weathers explained that data governance is now embedded in DHHS operations to control access, manage reporting, and respond to risk. He defined it as managing what data is collected, how it is used, who can access it, and what laws apply, and said DHHS has moved from governance as a committee to governance as an operational process. He described privacy impact assessments for new systems going into production, monthly privacy and security training, and ongoing review of access controls and data-sharing rules.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, May 19, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><03:50:23.680><c> to</c> supply, on pricing and access to supply, on pricing and access to essential
- </c><04:26:49.120><c> to</c> partnerships in expanding access to partnerships in expanding access to
- to equal access to health care entitled to equal access to health care and<04:30:00.800><c> benefits
- You don't deserve access to history. You don't deserve access to health care.
- You don't deserve access to history. You don't deserve access to health care.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- the different Access offices throughout the state to service all those areas where our constituents
- I'm sure there is an Access facility or office to service our constituents.
- And we all came to the determination that it's time for Access employees to come back to work.
- It's time for Access employees to come back to work. With that, I vote aye.
- Access was removed from the bill, but it pertains to the Department of Health Services.
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama House County and Municipal Government Committee Feb 4th, 2026
County and Municipal Government
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> I'm here to talk to you today about access. Access to our funds, fair and comparable.
- We didn't have access to our funds to replace it.
- We didn't have access to our funds to replace it.
- services and were designed to provide financial services to a limited field of membership, most often
- /c><00:27:03.679><c> to</c> want to thank you for your service to want to thank you for your service
ID
Transcript Highlights:
- They're going to make you, if you've got access to surface irrigation water.
- I left my civil service career eventually to return to my agricultural roots.
- We worked closely with the Designed to help fund access, yes.
- Ray, just looking at your resume and your commitment to public service, it's just so impressive.
- National estimates project up to 50,000 new jobs from expanded timber and mineral access.
Summary:
The committee first heard RS 33025, a concurrent resolution supporting consolidation of the Soil and Water Conservation Commission with the Idaho Department of Water Resources, tied to House Bill 503 and an executive order to improve efficiency. Senator Harris said the resolution explains the rationale and process for the proposed realignment while preserving the voluntary, locally led, non-regulatory role of conservation districts. Senator Guthrie asked about projected savings, and the committee voted unanimously to send the resolution to print.
The committee then took up Senate Bill 1222, a trailer bill to clarify the domestic well/subdivision law enacted the prior year. Senator Anthony and Idaho Water Users Association representative Paul Arrington said the bill defines subdivision for this purpose as five lots or more, clarifies that the law applies only to subdivisions started on or after July 1, 2025, and preserves existing developments from being forced to change their water systems midstream. Testimony from Bruce Smith urged more review and said the Department of Water Resources had already produced a lengthy implementation memo. After questions about domestic use, agricultural partitions, and irrigation impacts, the committee voted to send SB 1222 to the Senate floor with a due pass recommendation.
The committee also considered two gubernatorial appointments to the Idaho Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board: Kenneth Long and Carl Ray. Both described extensive experience in outfitting, guiding, outdoor recreation, and public service, and members asked about board responsibilities, geographic representation, and challenges such as access, growth, and tag allocation. The committee said it would vote on the appointments at a later meeting.
Finally, John Price presented Docket No. 24-3501-2-250, an administrative rule package for the Outfitters and Guides Licensing Board. He said the changes were part of zero-based regulation and followed multiple public meetings and input from agencies and industry. The revisions removed duplicative definitions, clarified predator-area and tag-designation rules, adjusted rounding for tag allocation, and refined river boundary descriptions. The committee asked several questions about tag allocation and federal-state coordination, then adopted the docket. The meeting ended with a presentation by the American Falls FFA Ag Issues team on the federal roadless rule rescission, with students presenting arguments for and against the policy and committee members praising their work and leadership.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- sign up with parental consent to access the service.
- So there's kind of two ways that your students can get access to this service, and it is no cost to the
- sign up with parental consent to access the service.
- to access the service parental consent to access the service um<01:36:45.239><c> and</c><01:36:45.360
- access to a nonprofit similar kind of service.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Press Conference 3/19/25
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill passed out of the House Veterans Services Committee and is now on its way to Judiciary.
- I also want to thank military service.
- with optimal results because we have access to all their federal records.
- to all their because we have access to all their federal<00:18:27.200><c> records</c><00:18:27.600><
- So when you are accredited, you get access to the claims database.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
Senate Law & Justice Jan 26th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- to access that.
- needed or to get the support for survivors. ...to get services when it is needed or to get the support
- SB 6017, when passed, will allow survivors equal access to services and resources that are allocated
- consistent access to sexual assault exams and the support services they need.
- It will improve the services victims receive and remove barriers to accessing critical care.
Summary:
The committee heard several public hearings on criminal justice and victim-related bills. SB 6087 would expand existing liability protections for donations of children’s items to include religious organizations and add strollers and car seats to the definition of children’s items; the sponsor said it would make it easier to donate usable baby equipment, and the Washington State Board of Health said it supported the goal but noted rulemaking and funding concerns under the original version. SB 5934 would change the standard for post-conviction DNA testing so courts must grant testing unless the state shows by clear and convincing evidence that the results could not demonstrate a likelihood of innocence; the Innocence Project and a DNA exoneree supported it as a way to reduce years of litigation, while prosecutors and sheriffs/police chiefs opposed it as a burden shift that could increase frivolous motions and strain lab and attorney resources. SB 5520 would revise Washington’s wrongful-conviction compensation law by broadening definitions, extending filing deadlines, removing the waiver requirement, and making other process changes; the sponsor and Innocence Project said it would reduce barriers and better fulfill the state’s promise to exonerees, and a DNA exoneree described years of litigation just to access compensation.
The committee also heard SB 6017, which would expand victim-centered and trauma-informed protections. The bill would allow a court to appoint a representative to ask questions of victims when a defendant represents themself, extend forensic exam consent to minors 13 and older in non-fatal strangulation cases, add female genital mutilation survivors to protections similar to the Sexual Assault Survivors Bill of Rights, and reauthorize and broaden the Safe Advisory Group’s mandate. Survivors, advocates, the Attorney General’s Office, and the Office of Crime Victims Advocacy strongly supported the bill, describing courtroom questioning by self-represented defendants as retraumatizing and urging broader access to services for FGM survivors; defense advocates raised constitutional concerns about limiting a pro se defendant’s right to personally question witnesses and said the bill could be vulnerable to challenge without narrower guardrails. The hearing drew extensive survivor testimony, and the chair noted 108 people signed in support and one opposed.
Finally, the committee heard SB 5890, which would create an alternative reckless-driving offense for driving more than 30 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. The sponsor, a former firefighter, framed the bill as an accountability measure aimed at preventing severe crashes caused by extreme speeding. A committee member asked about officer discretion in emergencies, and the sponsor said the bill targets excessive speed while acknowledging that some situations may still be problematic. A preliminary fiscal note had been received.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure
Transcript Highlights:
- be directed to provide evidence-based therapeutic services to students in a place where 80% of services
- Passage of this bill will put countless providers out of business and restrict access to these services
- If this bill were to pass, 3 million Massachusetts residents could lose access to these services that
- to their services.
- So does it really make sense to limit access to things that can keep people healthy?
Summary:
The committee opened a hearing of the Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure and reviewed a broad agenda including credit card fees, event ticketing, music therapy licensure, senior psychologist licensure, CPA pathways, school mental health licensure, and a bill regulating alternative healing therapies. The chairs explained hearing logistics, including three-minute testimony limits and submission of written testimony, and noted that more than 70 people had signed up to testify. Legislators and advocates were heard out of order throughout the day.
A major portion of the hearing focused on credit card surcharge and interchange legislation. Restaurant owners, the Massachusetts Restaurant Association, NFIB, and other small-business witnesses supported bills allowing merchants to add convenience fees and, in one proposal, preventing card companies from charging fees on tax and tip portions of transactions. They argued that swipe fees are a major and growing cost, especially for restaurants, and that Massachusetts is one of only two states that bars surcharges. Opponents from the Cooperative Credit Union Association, the Electronic Payment Coalition, and the Electronic Transactions Association warned that the proposals would create compliance burdens, fragment the payment system, raise legal preemption issues, and disrupt a system they described as efficient and secure.
The committee also heard competing testimony on ticket transferability and ticket resale. Supporters, including the National Consumers League and Sports Fans Coalition, said bills on ticket transferability would protect consumers who cannot attend events and would increase competition and savings in the secondary market. Opponents, including United Musicians and Allied Workers and theater owners, argued that mandatory transferability would weaken artists’ and venues’ ability to prevent scalping and predatory resale, and that some ticket sellers should be exempt from the broader ticketing regulations. Separate testimony supported music therapy licensure, senior psychologist licensure, and new CPA education pathways, with witnesses saying these measures would expand access to care and strengthen the workforce while maintaining professional standards. The hearing also drew extensive opposition to S.261 on alternative healing therapies, with practitioners and clients arguing it would overregulate spiritual and holistic practices and was not an effective response to human trafficking concerns.
AZ
Transcript Highlights:
- And so many people rely on access to get by.
- to be on ACCESS should not be enrolled on ACCESS.
- “ACCESS contracts with the Department of Economic Security to provide services to individuals with developmental
- There needs to be reforms in ACCESS. There needs to be reforms in the health insurance trust.
- The $38 million given to data centers could save the cuts to access in health care, but...