Transcript Highlights:

• immediately apply disaster status codes to affected loans in order to flag accounts for borrower outreach
• We did our own outreach to our licensees and got many of them to agree to be listed on our website We
• I also should mention that we have a targeted outreach team and we've done what we can to make sure that
• lenders, and the protocols are in place—the protocols to, you know, respond diligently, to have outreach
• So did the Bankers Association do any formal outreach to members—trainings, etc.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I also have a leadership role in public outreach and awareness surrounding human trafficking.
• How effective are current partnerships with victim service providers, shelters, and outreach teams?
• This bill's documentation requirement, which mandates that officers record service outreach before any
• I also am the founder and executive director of Project Resilience, who provides strong street outreach
• and prevention and education. who provides a strong street outreach and prevention and education.

Summary: The Assembly Standing Committee on Public Safety held an informational hearing in Pomona on sex work-related crimes and efforts to combat human trafficking. The chair and Assembly Member Michelle Rodriguez framed the issue as a major public safety and victim-protection concern, referencing the repeal of the loitering law in SB 357 and the recent enactment of AB 379, which targets buyers of sex rather than sex workers. The hearing was organized into three panels: data and research, policing and anti-trafficking efforts, and courtroom/prosecution impacts. In the first panel, the California Department of Justice presented arrest and conviction data for the repealed loitering statute, noting overall declines from 2019 to 2022 but also explaining that the data did not distinguish clearly between people selling sex, people loitering to sell, and people purchasing sex. USC law professor Hannah Gary summarized a 2021 report finding that law enforcement stings and raids often lack transparency, disproportionately harm Black women, minors, LGBTQ+ people, and undocumented migrants, and rarely achieve the stated goals of protecting victims, prosecuting traffickers, or preventing trafficking. The ACLU of Southern California argued that criminalization of sex work is discriminatory and historically used to police women and people of color, and that laws aimed at buyers still harm sex workers and can increase immigration consequences. Committee members asked about data collection, racial disparities, and whether the new law could worsen profiling; the panelists urged public health approaches, better data, and more survivor services. The second panel featured the California DOJ human trafficking coordinator, Pomona Police Chief Mike Ellis, and survivor advocate Jess Torres of Rising Worldwide. DOJ described its regional trafficking teams, task forces, victim services, and prosecutions, emphasizing a victim-centered and trauma-informed approach. Chief Ellis said SB 357 limited police intervention and contributed to visible open-air prostitution near schools and other sensitive locations, citing complaints from residents and a reported drop in juvenile rescues in Pomona after the law changed; he supported AB 63-style enforcement with safeguards and service referrals. Torres, speaking as a survivor, argued that anti-trafficking policy must be survivor-led, that many youth in the sex trade are boys or LGBTQ youth, and that criminalization and street enforcement often worsen harm and displacement rather than solving the underlying problems. In the final panel, a Riverside County deputy district attorney said AB 63 could help law enforcement make earlier contact with potential victims and identify traffickers, while stressing the need for training, documentation, and oversight. A Los Angeles County public defender argued that prosecuting trafficked people reinforces traffickers’ control, creates lifelong barriers, and retraumatizes survivors, and pointed to diversion programs as a better model. The Coalition to Abolish Slavery and Trafficking began its testimony by describing its survivor services and crisis response work. The hearing ended without any vote or formal action, but with committee members and witnesses continuing to debate the balance between enforcement, data collection, and survivor-centered services.

Transcript Highlights:

• The bill would allow the office to support two FTEs to engage in proactive outreach so that Minnesota
• to Fosters has to be proactive Outreach to Fosters has to be proactive intentional<01:24:38.920><c>
• to Foster youth is through Outreach to Foster youth is through proactive<01:25:27.920><c> in-person<
• </c><01:25:37.520><c> our</c> they were doing youth Outreach our they were doing youth Outreach our office
• to Fosters including conduct Outreach to Fosters including in-person<01:26:01.159><c> visits</c><01:

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• 1025 creates a coordinating office that will align state departments and existing programs, expand outreach
• It is a coordinating office that will align state departments and existing programs, expand outreach
• Advertising, marketing, and outreach funds.
• SB 1358 will strengthen California's outreach to underserved communities by...
• SB 1358 will strengthen California's outreach to underserved communities by enhancing the allocation

Summary: The committee heard several bills focused largely on regulatory oversight, food insecurity, state symbols, immigration-related funding, and ethnic media outreach. SB 885 and SB 986 would require major regulations with estimated economic impacts over $50 million to come back to the Legislature for review; supporters said this would restore accountability and help address affordability, while opponents warned it would delay health, safety, and worker protections. SB 1025 would create an Office of Food Security and Affordability to coordinate food programs across state departments, expand outreach, run a hunger hotline, and analyze service gaps; members generally supported the goal but urged stronger reporting and oversight language. SB 1214 would designate the Western monarch as California’s state butterfly, and SB 1178 would designate the California yellow jacket as the state wasp, with testimony emphasizing conservation, ecology, and agricultural benefits. SB 1286 would recognize the California sea lion as the state pinniped, with supporters citing its role as a sentinel species and conservation success story. SB 1171 would make private entities that contract with ICE ineligible for state-funded grants or loans; supporters framed it as a response to ICE conduct, while opponents raised concerns about unintended impacts on contractors providing essential services and possible federal retaliation. SB 1358 would create the Ethnic and Community Media Equity Act to improve state advertising and outreach to ethnic and community media through a database and contracting requirements, with supporters arguing it would improve effectiveness and reach underserved communities. Several bills were advanced on committee votes, many with roll calls held open for absent members. SB 885, SB 986, SB 1025, SB 1214, SB 1178, SB 1286, and SB 1171 all received motions to do pass, with some members noting support but also urging amendments or guardrails, especially on timing, reporting, and oversight. The committee also took up a consent calendar of multiple items after quorum was established.

Transcript Highlights:

• authorities, our mandates to help manage off-highway vehicle in the state, both law enforcement and outreach
• Help manage off-highway vehicle in the state, both law enforcement and outreach education.
• Help manage off-highway vehicle in the state, both law enforcement and outreach education.
• Williams in particular Williams in particular, Chair, it also had an outreach and education component
• It's sort of the inflation of what it's going to take to do education outreach and law enforcement.

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So, we had a robust outreach plan to try to reach all of our enrollees. >> Representative Dawson.
• </c><00:42:07.839><c> early</c> do as much as we could to outreach early do as much as we could to outreach
• The member then asked whether any outreach is being done, such as PSAs.
• Is there any um outreach being &gt;&gt; Okay.
• </c> outreach to try and get the word out. outreach to try and get the word out.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• to remove funding that was carried forward into fiscal year 26 for mailers, litigation fees, and outreach
• Litigation fees and outreach that is no longer needed in fiscal year 27, and a $6.3 million increase
• The largest category is... litigation fees, and outreach that is no longer needed in fiscal year 27,
• There is also a $3.5 million decrease for outreach regarding new primary elections, a $2.8 million decrease
• And then we had the $3.5 million outreach.

Summary: The committee heard a budget presentation for the Department of State. House Fiscal Division said the FY27 recommended budget is $128.6 million and 367 positions, with elections making up the largest share. Secretary of State Nancy Landry said the office is implementing Louisiana’s first closed party primary, continuing voter education efforts, and moving toward procurement of a new voting system that would produce a voter-verifiable paper ballot and support risk-limiting audits. Members asked about polling place confusion, machine replacement costs, election commissioner pay, and the cost of educating voters about the new primary system. Landry said polling places are not changing because of the new primary law, the new system is expected to cost about $100 million total, and a bill this session would raise election commissioner pay by $100 per day. Fiscal staff also estimated the closed primary law will add about $31.5 million in costs over five years, mostly from converting local elections to statewide elections and voter outreach. The committee then reviewed the Department of Veterans Affairs budget, which was presented at about $105.2 million with a mix of federal, state, self-generated, and interagency funds. The department said most costs are tied to personnel and veterans’ homes, and that the homes are funded largely by federal dollars plus self-generated revenue. Members focused heavily on delays in processing National Guard disability claims and payments to veterans. Representatives said constituents had waited about a year for claims to be resolved, while the department said it had increased staffing and was processing a backlog of more than 400 claims, but still had about $950,000 in approved claims awaiting funding. The department said the payout program is governed by statute and that additional supplemental funding has been requested. Members also discussed veterans’ home care, including how service-connected disability status affects eligibility and costs, and whether chronic wound care and related complications could increase long-term costs. The department said veterans with higher service-connected ratings receive care with federal support, while others pay fees. Several members urged the department to provide clearer timelines and better communication to claimants, and one member suggested a separate oversight hearing to address the disability claim process and any needed statutory changes. The committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• to remove funding that was carried forward into fiscal year 26 for mailers, litigation fees, and outreach
• Litigation fees, and outreach that is no longer needed in fiscal year 27, and a $6.3 million increase
• The largest category is litigation fees, and outreach that is no longer needed in fiscal year 27, and
• There is also a $3.5 million decrease for outreach regarding new primary elections, a $2.8 million decrease
• And then we had the $3.5 million outreach.

Keywords: 965, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Chairman, Representative, the Secretary of State actively satisfies all of the federal outreach requirements
• Chairman, Representative, the Secretary of State actively satisfies all of the federal outreach requirements
• Did you have direct negotiation or outreach to the Biden administration on cybersecurity directly, not
• available at CISA, but for approximately the last 12 months, we have satisfied our CISA and DHS outreach
• the majority, three times since our cyber intrusion in June, and actively requested their help and outreach

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Forum, National Veterans Outreach, and Texas Veterans Commission, we still struggle with keeping our.
• Forum and the National Veterans Outreach Program (N.V.O.P.) have in San Antonio for substance use disorder
• I'm the President and CEO of the American GI Forum National Veterans Outreach Program.
• Forum National Veteran Outreach, and we have you registered for the bill. Is that correct, sir?
• Forum National Veterans Outreach Program with the understanding of starting a mental health program.

Bills: HCR7, HB1557, HB1608, HB2061, HB2201, HB2210, HB2426, HB2754, HJR165, HB2513, HCR7

Keywords: Veterans of Foreign Wars, veterans, commemoration, military service, recognition, September 29, waiver programs, toll roads, discount programs, transportation, affordable housing, land bank program, low-income households, Texas State Affordable Housing Corporation, HB 2061, Texas Transportation Code, Chapter 225, State Highway 242, Interstate Highway 69, Montgomery County

Transcript Highlights:

• This has to be a legitimate outreach effort to come visit Minnesota.
• Additionally, we seek funding support for community outreach safety programs that directly serve and
• The funding would go to the Humanities Center to then fund a nonprofit that would support outreach to
• Right now it's $100,000 per year, but I think it's very scalable depending on the amount of outreach
• We will use the funds to host public education classes, events and forums, host community outreach and

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:22:07.840><c> Um,</c><00:22:08.159><c> so</c> lake associations do outreach.
• Um, so lake associations do outreach.
• so that folks don't even do outreach so that folks don't even find<00:22:18.320><c> themselves</c><00
• Um, and so we do provide those services as outreach services.
• </c> provide those services as outreach provide those services as outreach services. services. services

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then MassAbility also has a business relations arm that does a lot of outreach to community businesses
• A lot of outreach to community businesses.
• But also they're helping us do some outreach regarding the Disability Employment Tax Credit.
• It sounds like outreach is still needed. They're open.

Summary: The Employment Subcommittee of the Massachusetts Permanent Commission on the Status of Persons with Disabilities met on May 18, approved the prior meeting minutes, and heard an introductory announcement about ASL interpretation procedures for the Zoom meeting. The first presentation was an update on the Massachusetts Disability Employment Tax Credit from MassAbility. The speaker explained that the credit, created in 2022, offers employers up to $5,000 in the first year and $2,000 in later years for hiring and retaining certified employees with disabilities. The certification process was described as intentionally simple, relying largely on self-attestation and an online application that screens applicants in through participation in disability-related programs or receipt of certain benefits. Members asked about employer awareness, the website and application process, available data, and whether credits can be carried forward; the speaker said outreach is ongoing, one employer had used the credit in the prior tax season, and some implementation questions would need to be directed to the Department of Revenue. The committee then heard from Scott Pitta of the Office of the Veteran Advocate, who described the office as an independent agency created after COVID and the state veterans home трагедies to improve veteran services and investigate problems. He focused on veterans’ disability ratings, explaining that VA disability does not necessarily prevent work, and discussed how discharge status can affect access to benefits. He highlighted vocational rehabilitation, GI Bill supports, housing and mental health services, and the role of municipal veteran service officers under Chapter 115. A major theme was professional licensure and employment barriers for veterans, especially in nursing and other trades; members discussed whether Massachusetts is doing enough compared with other states and whether the office could connect with workforce and licensure stakeholders. Pitta said his office is beginning a narrow review of nursing licensure issues and invited follow-up through regional liaisons and the office inbox. In the final portion of the meeting, members turned to a SEED policy brief and related future work. Because time was short, they deferred a full discussion to a later meeting and agreed to revisit the brief at the August 31 meeting. The group identified two likely areas of focus: the “benefit cliff” and youth/young adult pathways into employment, including apprenticeships. Members discussed the need to map existing services, gather information from partner agencies, and possibly develop a white paper or spreadsheet-style summary for appointing authorities. The meeting ended with a request for members interested in the benefit cliff work to contact the co-chairs, and the subcommittee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• In fact, I served on the board for the veterans outreach for the state of Mississippi, which is our veteran
• </c> I served on the board for the uh I served on the board for the uh veterans<00:07:02.000><c> outreach
• <c> for</c><00:07:02.560><c> the</c><00:07:02.639><c> state</c><00:07:02.800><c> of</c> veterans outreach
• for the state of veterans outreach for the state of Mississippi,<00:07:03.360><c> which</c><00:07:03.520

Keywords: Veterans and Military Affairs - Room 210, 3 March, 2026; 1:00 P.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The next component I want to mention is SNAP outreach.
• Now, SNAP outreach is typically administered through nonprofits.
• Now, want to mention is SNAP outreach.
• 27.200><c> administered</c> SNAP outreach is typically administered SNAP outreach is typically administered
• Outreach is still make healthy choices.

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The meeting opened with roll call and housekeeping, including moving standing attendees to an overflow room and asking the audience to avoid interruptions. The task force then heard testimony from Allison Adams of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky, who presented statewide health trend data showing Kentucky ranked 41st overall and 44th in health outcomes, with especially poor performance on premature death, chronic disease, diabetes, and vaccination rates. She emphasized that Kentucky has the highest rates of residents with multiple chronic conditions, that diabetes remains above the national average, and that childhood immunization rates have worsened. She also highlighted major provider shortages in rural areas, noting that 43 of 120 counties meet shortage criteria and that more than half of primary care providers are concentrated in Fayette and Jefferson counties. Adams urged the task force to focus on prevention, early intervention, access to care, physical activity, and healthier school and community environments, and said the foundation is prepared to share results from its demonstration projects. Task force members asked follow-up questions about the age range for chronic-condition data and whether the diabetes figure reflected type 1 or type 2 diabetes; Adams said the chronic-condition measure spans all ages and that the diabetes figure likely reflects type 2, though she offered to provide the full report. The task force then approved the minutes from the prior meeting. The committee next turned to SNAP benefits and heard from Lisa Dennis, commissioner of the Department for Community Based Services, and Roger McCann, director of the Division of Family Support. They explained that SNAP is not only a food assistance program but also a public health and family stability tool, arguing that poor diet contributes to chronic disease and that food insecurity is linked to family stress, child welfare involvement, and neglect-related CPS referrals. They cited research showing that more generous SNAP policies are associated with fewer CPS reports, fewer substantiated reports, and fewer foster care placements, and said SNAP helps reduce risk and promote stability across vulnerable populations including children, older adults, people with disabilities, and pregnant women. They also described SNAP-Ed as the nutrition education component that teaches healthy eating, cooking on a budget, and how to use fresh produce, but warned that recent federal legislation eliminates federal funding for SNAP-Ed beginning in federal fiscal year 2026. McCann outlined the remaining SNAP outreach and employment-and-training components, noting that outreach is typically run by nonprofits with a 50% match and that employment and training funds job-skills programs to help recipients move toward better jobs and self-sufficiency. The discussion emphasized that access to nutritious food, education, and job supports are all part of improving health outcomes and reducing food insecurity.

Transcript Highlights:

• volunteerism in the state, promote youth and community engagement, and advance public awareness and outreach
• costs identified by the LAO are associated with program design, evaluation of the program, education outreach
• I always want to support programs that focus on community outreach and particularly with our youth, where
• and we're devoted to making sure that we implement this law and not only implement it, but we do outreach
• , education outreach, And not only implement it, but we do outreach, education and outreach, so those

Summary: The subcommittee first heard an informational overview from the Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement (GoServe), including California Volunteers, the Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications, and the Youth Empowerment Commission. GoServe reported strong participation in programs such as California Service Corps, College Corps, Youth Service Corps, Climate Action Corps, and the new men’s service challenge. Testimony emphasized enrollment, retention, and completion outcomes, outreach results, and efforts to reduce administrative costs. The Department of Finance said the administration supports the programs but has already made reductions to help address the budget deficit, while the LAO said it had no new recommendations on the informational item. Committee members raised questions about program scale, demographics, and effectiveness, especially for Climate Action Corps and whether the programs are duplicative of existing volunteer opportunities. One member criticized the programs as too fragmented and costly, while others asked for more data on who is being served and whether the programs increase actual participation in state services. GoServe said it would follow up with demographic and regional impact information. The committee also discussed the men’s service challenge, which GoServe said has formed partnerships with organizations such as YMCAs and Big Brothers Big Sisters and has already attracted more than 2,000 participants. The item was informational only. The committee then heard a BOE overview and a budget request to implement SB 293, which gives wildfire-affected families additional time to claim intergenerational Prop. 13 property tax transfers. BOE requested $154,000 for guidance, public materials, and inquiry response, explaining that the work is urgent and tied to disaster relief in Los Angeles County, especially Altadena. The LAO had no concerns, and Finance had no comment. Members asked how many cases might be affected and whether more funding would be needed later; BOE said the full number is not yet known and that future requests are possible. The committee also heard BOE’s IT modernization proposal for the state-assessed property tax system, a 30-year-old mainframe replacement costing $3.2 million in 2026-27 and $3.1 million in 2027-28. BOE and Finance supported the project as necessary, while the LAO said it had no concerns but urged a high bar for new IT spending. Members generally supported modernization but cautioned about implementation risk. Finally, CDTFA presented an overview and two policy proposals. The department described administering 42 tax and fee programs, collecting $98 billion in FY 2024, and improving administrative efficiency. Members then discussed local sales tax tools and revenue-sharing agreements, with concerns raised about transparency, consultant-driven tax allocation disputes, and the impact on local communities. CDTFA and the LAO explained that local jurisdictions control how district sales tax revenues are spent and noted the Legislature could revisit the statutory cap on local add-on sales taxes. The committee then heard CDTFA’s proposal to treat all delivery network companies as marketplace facilitators so they must collect and remit sales tax on delivery-app orders. CDTFA said the change would resolve confusion, shift compliance from thousands of small restaurants to a few large platforms, and raise about $44 million annually. Several members questioned whether the proposal would effectively raise consumer costs and whether it would create a competitive advantage or disadvantage among delivery platforms. The item remained under discussion, with no vote taken in the transcript.

Transcript Highlights:

• volunteerism in the state, promote youth and community engagement, and advance public awareness and outreach
• And advance public awareness and outreach campaigns to tackle California's most pressing challenges.
• costs identified by the LAO are associated with program design, evaluation of the program, education outreach
• I always want to support programs that focus on community outreach and particularly with our youth, where
• , education outreach, And not only implement it, but we do an outreach, education, and outreach, so those

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• volunteerism in the state, promote youth and community engagement, and advance public awareness and outreach
• identified by the L.A.O. are associated with program design, evaluation of the program, education outreach
• I always want to support programs that focus on community outreach and particularly with our youth, where
• and education outreach.
• And not only implement it, but we do outreach, education, and outreach so those affected by it will know

Summary: The subcommittee first received an informational update on the Governor’s Office of Service and Community Engagement (GoServe), including California Volunteers, the Office of Community Partnerships and Strategic Communications, and the Youth Empowerment Commission. GoServe reported strong participation in College Corps, Youth Service Corps, and Climate Action Corps, along with outreach results from OCPSC and the Trusted Messenger Network. The Department of Finance said the programs remain a priority but noted prior budget reductions, while the LAO said it had no new recommendations. Committee members raised questions about program diversity, geographic reach, administrative costs, and whether the programs duplicate existing volunteer opportunities; one member criticized the programs as costly and duplicative, while another emphasized the value of volunteerism and asked about the men’s service challenge. The item was informational only. The committee then heard an overview of the Board of Equalization’s property tax responsibilities and its first budget proposals since the 2017 reorganization. BOE described its role in county assessment oversight, state-assessed property valuation, and related tax administration. Members asked about BOE’s interaction with counties, property tax reassessments, and local tax notices; BOE explained it mainly works with county assessors and handles technical property tax questions, while local special district charges are generally outside its scope. The committee also considered a BOE proposal to implement SB 293, which would give additional time for certain intergenerational property tax transfer claims after the 2025 wildfires. BOE requested $154,000 for guidance, public materials, and inquiry response work, saying the change is urgent for wildfire-affected families, especially in Altadena. The LAO had no concerns, and the item was held open. BOE also presented an information technology modernization proposal for its state-assessed property program, seeking $3.2 million in 2026-27 and $3.1 million in 2027-28 to replace a 30-year-old mainframe system. BOE said the current system relies heavily on manual data entry and paper processes, creating inefficiencies, cybersecurity risks, and delays, while modernization would free staff for more audits and valuation studies. The LAO supported the need but urged a high bar for new IT projects; Finance said the project met the threshold of necessity. Members generally supported the upgrade but asked about audit gains, revenue impacts, and implementation risks, and the item was held open. Finally, CDTFA gave its department overview and then discussed a proposal to require all delivery network companies, such as Uber Eats and DoorDash, to be treated as marketplace facilitators for sales tax purposes. CDTFA said the current carve-out creates confusion for restaurants and small businesses because some DNCs collect and remit tax while others do not, and the change would improve compliance and shift reporting to larger platforms. Members debated whether the proposal amounts to a tax increase for consumers, with CDTFA and Finance arguing it is a consistency and compliance measure rather than a new tax, while others said it would likely raise consumer costs. The committee also discussed broader CDTFA issues, including local sales tax districts, revenue-sharing agreements, and the growth of special taxing jurisdictions. No votes were taken, and the agenda items were informational or held open.

Transcript Highlights:

• And we use that to fuel our outreach, our translation, right?
• And so, really quickly, you just mentioned outreach, and I think that's where I'm trying to get because
• programs so that we are in line with... ...communities as we do these community outreach programs so
• And so really quickly, you just mentioned outreach.
• programs so that we are in line with, communities as we do these community outreach programs so that

Summary: The joint informational hearing of the Senate and Assembly Health Committees focused on the “cost of uncertainty” in health coverage, access, and affordability amid federal policy changes. Opening remarks from committee leaders and members emphasized that California’s gains under the Affordable Care Act and Health for All policies—high coverage rates, consumer protections, and lower uninsured rates—are now threatened by federal rollbacks, including the expiration of enhanced premium tax credits and H.R. 1. Members repeatedly cited rising premiums, skipped care, medical debt, and the risk of coverage losses, especially for low-income Californians, workers, seniors, and immigrant communities. The first panel featured federal policy and state implementation experts, including Don Joyce, Jessica Altman of Covered California, and Elizabeth Lansberg of HCAI’s Office of Health Care Affordability. Testimony described the ACA’s coverage expansions and the current federal threats: shorter open enrollment, more verification requirements, loss of enhanced subsidies, and changes affecting immigrants and preventive coverage. Covered California reported that average monthly premiums could nearly double without the subsidies, new enrollment is down sharply, and more consumers are shifting into bronze plans with higher deductibles. HCAI explained its affordability strategy through spending targets, consolidation review, and primary care investment, while members asked about the impact of federal cuts on provider taxes, uncompensated care, and whether California can sustain coverage without new revenue. The second panel, with UC Berkeley Labor Center’s Miranda Dietz and California Health Care Foundation’s Christoph Stremikis, broadened the discussion to statewide cost drivers and consumer impacts. They highlighted that more than half of Californians under 65 rely on job-based coverage, yet premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket costs have risen faster than wages. They also pointed to medical debt, administrative waste, market consolidation, and underinvestment in primary care as major drivers of unaffordability. Members asked about the 25% of health spending that does not improve patient care, the role of fraud versus administrative friction, the effect of cost growth targets on workers, and the need for preventive care and possible revenue solutions. The hearing then moved to a third panel on human impacts, beginning with testimony from a Central Valley promotora describing how families are choosing lower-tier coverage, struggling with diabetes care, and facing higher premiums after subsidy losses.

Transcript Highlights:

• depredation, conflict, animal welfare, and also allowed us to do what we've talked about: community outreach
• We did a lot of community outreach with homeowners associations, late nights, weekends, off-hours from
• We did a lot of community outreach with homeowners associations, late night, weekends, off hours from
• It will improve the research and outreach and education communication that Kaggie and others are doing
• I can advance the slide with a lot of public education, outreach, even equipment such as food storage

Keywords: 988, house, all