Video & Transcript Research : 'mortality review'
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MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Seventy - Thursday, May 14 - Morning Session
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Speaker, your Committee on Fiscal Review, to us for... Mr.
- Which is the mortality tables. Right.
- The fiscal review chairman, inquire the amendment. Thank you.
- It also updates the Pregnancy-Associated Mortality Review Board to include the study and review of maternity
- The Fiscal Review Chairman. Yes, Mr. Speaker.
Summary:
The House met with prayer, approved the journal for the prior day by a 118-1 vote, and then spent much of the session on points of personal privilege, including lengthy farewell remarks from several departing members. Those speeches focused on service, family, veterans, law enforcement, integrity, and gratitude to staff and legislative assistants. Members also introduced a number of special guests, including school students, interns, a law school graduate, family members, and a former representative.
The chamber then took up committee reports and several bills. On Senate Bill 1019, which concerns hospital finance and related health-care provisions, members adopted an amendment to align workplace violence, telehealth, physician licensure, Lyme disease, and prior-authorization language, and the bill passed 110-31. Senate Bill 1572, a pensions-related bill affecting the St. Louis police retirement system, MOSERS/EMPERS overpayment procedures, and Kansas City police retirement timing, drew extensive debate on retirement-system fairness and federal compliance; three amendments were adopted, and the bill passed 129-14. Senate Bill 1196, dealing with workforce diploma programs, Fast Track grants, workforce Pell Grants, higher-education funding formula language, and university board residency requirements, also received amendments and passed 115-20, but its emergency clause failed 2-132.
The House also granted further conference on Senate Bill 1020. Later, members considered House Bill 2508, an LLC and property-enforcement measure combining provisions on certificates of good standing, court dissolution of LLCs in limited cases, and a St. Louis County property-management affidavit requirement for unresolved ordinance violations. Debate on that bill began after the sponsor explained the added provisions, with members generally describing it as a good statewide bill with local accountability measures.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Appropriations - S/C on Article II Feb 25th, 2025
Appropriations - S/C on Article II
Transcript Highlights:
- In our readiness review, we make sure that...
- So this proposal would be to perform to have a statewide unit that reviews, right now a caseworker reviews
- And then let me move into finally talking about the Maternal Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee
- There's been some concern over neonatal. mortality, above and beyond maternal mortality, and do you think
- Without having had much time to be able to review all of it, so.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs (02/26/2025)
Health, Human Services & Elderly Affairs
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- We reviewed the proposed rules, and some of it sought We reviewed the proposed rules, and some of it
- Up next, we're going to hear CS for HB 527 by Representative Kassell, Mandatory Human Review of Insurance
- Requiring a qualified human professional to independently review the facts, analyze the policy, evaluate
- The bill also requires documentation of that review, transparency in denial communications, and regulatory
- The fact that infant mortality rate is so high, it is a concern.
Summary:
The committee first considered CS/HB 1263 on the Office of Insurance Regulation. The sponsor said the bill would strengthen OIR’s tools to oversee property insurance, including market conduct and solvency exams, claims handling oversight, mandatory discounts for certain mitigation measures, storage of mitigation inspection forms, and clearer authority over pharmacy benefit managers. An amendment narrowing fingerprinting requirements was adopted, and the bill passed favorably after supportive testimony from OIR and others.
Members then heard CS/HB 527, which would require a human review before an insurance claim can be denied or reduced when artificial intelligence or automated systems are used. After an amendment removing the term “algorithm” was adopted, the bill drew opposition from several insurance industry groups, while consumer and labor witnesses supported it. The sponsor argued the measure was needed after reports of AI-driven claim denials, and the bill passed favorably. The committee also approved CS/HB 637 on farm equipment “lemon law” protections, with an amendment clarifying who qualifies as a consumer, refund rights, repair timelines, and an effective date.
The committee next took up CS/HB 1007 on data centers, which would create a regulatory framework for siting and operating large data centers, limit NDAs in some circumstances, set PSC tariff requirements, and restrict certain locations near homes and schools. After an amendment narrowing the five-mile buffer to data centers over 50 megawatts and adding noise-study requirements, the bill drew mixed testimony from business, consumer, and local-government groups, with supporters emphasizing guardrails and opponents warning about competitiveness and site restrictions. The bill passed favorably despite several no votes.
Later, the committee approved CS/HB 1291 on the NICA birth-related neurological injury compensation program after a strike-all amendment revised reimbursement and assessment provisions; testimony included support from NICA and concerns from the Florida Justice Association and a family affected by the program. The committee also passed CS/HB 185 on a sales tax exemption for home-hardening products, CS/HB 425 on a historic African-American cemetery preservation program, CS/CS/CS/HB 1177 on Space Florida and spaceport operations, CS/CS/CS/HB 657 on community associations and HOA/condo reforms, and CS/CS/HB 1221, the DFS agency package. The final bill discussed was CS/HB 1001, which would restrict county and municipal DEI-related actions and contracting; the sponsor explained the strike-all, and members began questioning its definitions and exceptions, but the transcript cuts off before the bill’s final disposition.
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Ways and Means Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Joint Committee on Ways and Means
Transcript Highlights:
- review program, increasing the quality of our data... ...the fetal and infant mortality review program
- But in also how we do audits and post-bay claim reviews.
- The proposed investment would also support the establishment of a fetal and infant mortality review program
- review committee that's necessary to follow those trends.
- You talk about child mortality disparities, maternal mortality disparities, right?
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a Health and Human Services budget hearing in Clinton, with opening remarks from Chairs Meg Kilcoyne and Robin Kennedy, local officials, and many House and Senate members introducing themselves. The hearing focused on Governor Healey’s FY27 EOHHS and MassHealth budgets, with repeated themes of rising health care costs, federal funding uncertainty, workforce shortages, and access to care in underserved regions. Members also raised concerns about primary care shortages, rural and regional disparities, behavioral health access, maternal health, food insecurity, and the impact of federal policy changes on Massachusetts programs.
EOHHS Secretary Kiame Mahaniah said the FY27 EOHHS budget totals $33.7 billion, reflecting mostly non-discretionary growth from health care costs, labor costs, caseload increases, and provider rate pressures. He highlighted targeted investments in foster care, family resource centers, maternal health, youth services, nutrition programs, immigrant legal services, and human service workforce rates, while warning that federal actions could strip roughly $3.5 billion annually from the state’s health care funding. In response to questions, he defended the administration’s cooperation with federal audits and program integrity efforts, discussed the primary care crisis, and said the state is trying to preserve core services while preparing for a more difficult FY28 budget cycle.
MassHealth Undersecretary Mike Levine then described two major FY27 challenges: double-digit cost growth and the expected effects of the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act. He said MassHealth’s proposed $22.7 billion gross budget includes a 7.5% increase and relies on a moratorium on new expansions plus targeted reductions, including a $1,000 annual adult dental cap, ending GLP-1 coverage for weight loss only, reducing care management to peer-state levels, and work groups to slow growth in PCA, adult foster care, and adult day health spending. Members questioned the impact on Boston Health Care for the Homeless, preventive care, and regional access; Levine said the changes are meant to preserve sustainability, that children and certain disabled populations remain protected, and that the administration will continue working with providers, advocates, and the Legislature on implementation and longer-term reforms.
LA
Louisiana 2026 Regular Session
Natural Resources and Environment Apr 8th, 2026
Natural Resources & Environment
Transcript Highlights:
- data is being used to justify policy decisions, it should be available for public and legislative review
- This followed a rigorous 18-month independent review of our environmental bycatch and management.
- The fishing mortality, page 3, the amount of fish that the industry takes, is the lowest in 47 years.
- Even using a conservative 5 percent mortality release rate, that equates to 68,000 red drum mortalities
- That equates to 68,000 red drum mortalities from recreational catch and release alone.
OK
Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session
Appr/Sub-Health and Human Services Jan 29th, 2026 at 09:30 am
Transcript Highlights:
- What are our outcomes as far as reducing infant and maternal mortality in Oklahoma?
- Sorry, you asked the question on infant mortality.
- On infant mortality, I will say when we look at infant mortality, the number I think actually went up
- CMS has to review that. We've got about another three weeks of that.
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Senate Committee on Health and Human Services (Part II) Apr 23rd, 2025
Health & Human Services
Transcript Highlights:
- To specify the role of the Department of State Health Services, the language has been reviewed by the
- HHSC and the Selection Committee will select an institutional Review Board, or better known as IRB, with
- Texas Maternity Mortality and Morbidity Review Committee, MMMRC, has identified gaps in clinical knowledge
- and training as key drivers of maternal mortality. and morbidity.
- informed the individual. of their rights to record their interview and request an administrative review
Bills:
SB128, SB640, SB672, SB904, SB1141, SB1263, SB1525, SB1528, SB2041, SB2306, SB2308, SB2357, SB2446, SB2695, SB2857, SB2891, SB2583
Keywords:
hospital reporting, child abuse, neglect, administrative penalty, medical ethics, child protection, SB 640, Texas Family Code, Department of Family and Protective Services, DFPS, child welfare, foster care, managing conservatorship, suicide attempt, youth suicide, mental health, child protective services, state custody, annual report, reporting requirements
HI
Hawaii 2025 Regular Session
JHA Public Hearing - Fri Feb 21, 2025 @ 2:00 PM HST
Judiciary & Hawaiian Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- And then the commission then meets, reviews all the material and data.
- And then the commission then meets, reviews all the material and data.
- I was unable to find mortality data so far in 2025 according to the CDC.
- I was unable to find mortality data so far in 2025 according to the CDC.
- </c> diseases with less than 1% mortality diseases with less than 1% mortality rate<01:40:09.040><c>
Summary:
The House Committee on Judiciary and Hawaiian Affairs heard several measures, beginning with HB 194, which would designate May 22 as Maritime Day. Testimony from labor, health, and community groups was in support, and the committee later recommended passage of the bill as is, with several members voting yes and some reserving or being excused. HB 458 would designate April 27 as Brother Joseph Dutton Day; the Department of Accounting and General Services, the Joseph Dutton Guild, and a descendant all supported it, and the committee recommended passage with technical amendments. HB 957 would designate the first Friday in May as Lā‘au Day; support came from the Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Hawaii Farm Bureau, and many individuals, and the committee recommended passage as is. HB 345 would establish the ʻōpae ula as the state shrimp to promote awareness and protection of anchialine ecosystems; DLNR, Kuaʻāina Ulu ʻAu, and other supporters testified, and the committee recommended passage with technical amendments.
The committee also heard HB 901, which would allow public charter schools to appeal directly to the Board of Education on certain operational, governance, or funding matters. The Attorney General and the Public Charter School Commission offered technical comments and suggested amendments, while the commission described its current monitoring and renewal process and said it works closely with schools over the life of a charter contract. Members raised concerns about whether the bill would shift too much work to the Board of Education, and one member voted no when the committee later moved the bill with the Attorney General’s amendments. HB 1066 would add Head Start-related ex officio members to the Early Learning Board; the Early Learning Board and the Executive Office on Early Learning supported it, explaining the changes were needed to align with the federal Head Start Act, and the committee moved it forward without opposition.
HB 1069 would add voting members from the Department of Education and Board of Education to the School Facilities Authority Board. DOE and the School Facilities Authority supported the change as a way to strengthen collaboration, though questions from members focused on the current communication process between the agencies. HB 1343 would require the Board of Education to adopt a policy banning student phone and related device use during school hours; the committee noted written testimony in support and then moved to decision-making. At the end of the meeting, the committee adopted recommendations to pass HB 194, HB 458 with technical amendments, HB 957, HB 345 with technical amendments, HB 901 with amendments, HB 1066, HB 1069, and HB 1343.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- Representatives Olesnikar, have you had a chance to review the minutes for March 24th, 2025?
- Thank you, Chair, and I have reviewed the minutes, and I move for their approval.
- the growing threat to public health posed by an antiquated scope of care that's long overdue. for review
- and in Minnesota, we have a maternal health crisis causing high levels of maternal morbidity and mortality
- percent of pregnancy-related deaths are preventable, yet the U.S. still has the highest maternal mortality
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Ways and Means Mar 27th, 2026
Joint Committee on Ways and Means
Transcript Highlights:
- But also in how we do audits and post-pay claim reviews.
- But in also how we do audits and post-bay claim reviews.
- The proposed investment would also support the establishment of a fetal and infant mortality review program
- review committee that's necessary to follow those trends.
- You talk about child mortality disparities, maternal mortality disparities, right?
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Natural Resources Committee Apr 21st, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- We advocate through environmental review and valley improvement projects. Thank you.
- You're just talking about the certainty of the 270-day review process. It's the judicial review.
- I know there's been some concerns regarding environmental review.
- I know there's been some concerns regarding environmental review.
- This bill does not weaken environmental standards or public review.
Summary:
The committee hearing centered first on AB 1243, the Polluters Pay Climate Superfund Act of 2025, which would direct CalEPA to identify major fossil fuel companies, study California’s climate damages, and assess fees on the largest polluters to fund resilience, recovery, and related projects. The author and supporters argued the bill would make polluters help pay for climate harms, protect taxpayers, create jobs in construction and clean energy, and dedicate at least 40% of funds to disadvantaged communities. Support testimony came from environmental justice groups, labor, youth advocates, health organizations, and many individual witnesses, while opponents from the building trades, chambers of commerce, petroleum, and business groups warned it would raise fuel and consumer costs, threaten refinery jobs, and create legal and economic uncertainty. Committee members debated the bill’s impact on affordability, jobs, refinery closures, and whether cap-and-trade already addresses climate funding needs. The committee ultimately voted to give AB 1243 a due pass recommendation to the Judiciary Committee, with the roll left open.
After AB 1243, the committee moved to another bill on wildfire mitigation and related resilience work. The author said the measure addresses a long-running wildfire problem and accepted committee amendments, describing the bill as a response to increasingly severe wildfire seasons and the need to help communities stay safe and rebuild after disasters. The transcript cuts off as that presentation begins, so no final action on the second bill is shown in the excerpt.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Sixty Seven - Monday, May 11
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Speaker, your committee on fiscal review, to which was referred House Committee Substitute for Senate
- Speaker, your committee on fiscal review, to which was referred House Committee Substitute for Senate
- Speaker, your committee on fiscal review, to which was referred House Committee Substitute for Senate
- You know, maternal mortality is, there's a lot of room to improve maternal mortality in the state.
- But there's a lot of room to improve maternal mortality in the state.
Summary:
The House opened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the House Journals for the 65th and 66th legislative days. Members also spent time on personal privilege and special guest introductions, including a recognition of law enforcement officers who were injured in the line of duty and several interns serving in House offices.
The chamber then took up several fiscal review committee reports and moved to conference and Senate bills. House Bill 2818, dealing with annexation and related local government language for St. Joseph Airport, St. Charles County, and Jefferson County, was explained as a compromise on voluntary annexation standards; after debate it was adopted and then third read and passed by a vote of 136-7. House Bill 1825, concerning county salary commissions and county classification changes for Lafayette, Pettis, and Saline counties, drew debate over county pay and the exclusion of coroners, but the Senate substitute was adopted 109-35 and finally passed 106-39.
The House also considered House Joint Resolution 87, the so-called constitutional sheriff resolution, which would place sheriff duties and the office itself in the Missouri Constitution. Members debated its scope, including concerns about the term “traitors,” possible effects on Kansas City’s police governance, and whether the measure was necessary; a St. Louis City amendment clarifying the City of St. Louis sheriff provisions was adopted. The resolution then passed 100-47. Finally, Senate Bill 878 on pharmacy practice and rural health access, including pharmacist treatment for common illnesses, emergency waivers, and access to certain medications and supplies, passed 132-13 after an amendment on blood pressure cuffs for pregnant women and opioid-alternative language was adopted. Senate Bill 903, addressing telecommunications infrastructure and copper theft, passed 137-5. The House then announced upcoming committee work, including a born-alive bill, and adjourned until May 12, 2026.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Seventy One - Friday, May 15 - Afternoon Session
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- The chair recognizes the Fiscal Review Chairman. Yes, Mr.
- Bill 2896, Committee on Physical Review.
- Maternal mortality, please do something about maternal mortality.
- Maternal mortality, please do something about maternal mortality.
- Having dealt with him in my fiscal review committee, he Having dealt with him in my fiscal review committee
Summary:
The House recognized its drafters and research staff, then moved through committee reports and several conference committee reports and final passage motions. Senate Joint Resolution 87 was adopted and finally passed after debate over a provision affecting the City of St. Louis sheriff; supporters said the final version restored the original format with a minor wording change, while opponents argued it removed local voter control. The resolution passed 95-46 on both the conference report and final passage votes.
Members then adopted and finally passed Senate Bill 973, a measure combining a wholesaler provision and a land bank/real estate transparency provision, with supporters describing it as consumer protection and cleanup language. Senate Bill 1421, a public safety package, was also advanced after a motion to exceed the conference differences; debate focused on clean slate provisions, masked intimidation penalties, prosecuting attorney salaries, fentanyl language, good time credit, Brianna’s Law, and a St. Louis liability provision. The conference report passed 116-18, final passage 110-25, and the emergency clause for the drone-related portion passed 136-5.
The House also adopted and finally passed Senate Bills 835 and 1111, a broad package including insurance claim assignment protections, court automation updates, treatment court administration, a circuit judgeship codification, a St. Louis civil case surcharge, and anti-SLAPP protections. Senate Bill 1408, which authorizes MoDOT and the Highway Commission to consider raising rural interstate speed limits from 70 to 75 mph, was receded to the Senate version and finally passed 93-46. Senate Bill 913, extending multiple agricultural tax credits through 2033 and adding a short-line railroad credit, drew extensive debate over tax credits, budget priorities, and return on investment before the previous question was ordered and the bill passed 107-30.
Finally, Senate Bill 1553 was passed, creating incentives and a grant program tied to critical minerals and pharmaceuticals to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers; supporters framed it as a jobs and national security measure, while one member raised concerns about local revenue impacts before clarifying the bill’s scope. The House then received Senate messages indicating the Senate had passed a House bill, and the session continued.
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Governmental Oversight and Accountability Mar 18th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- consider is related to a particular group, sickle cell research, AIDS research, again, maternal mortality
- There are specific problems with Black mortality in maternal and fetal outcomes.
- The mortality penalty for Black newborns was reduced by 58% when cared for by Black physicians.
- SB 7020 addresses the Open Government Sunset Review for specific cybersecurity information held by a
- We've decided to push the OGSR review date out for another year to allow us to examine Section 282.318
Summary:
The committee first confirmed Heather L. Turnbull to the Florida Commission on Community Service without debate. It then took up SPB 7022, which sets Florida Retirement System employer contribution rates beginning July 1, 2025, updates rates to address unfunded liability, and preserves the 3% employee contribution rate. Senator Fine said the bill would increase FRS Trust Fund revenue by about $310 million annually and also gives certain elected officers an option related to DROP accumulations. An amendment was adopted, the bill was submitted as a committee bill, and it was reported favorably.
The committee then heard SB 1710, a bill by Senator DeSantis/DeSigley to prohibit state agencies, vendors, and grant recipients from using state funds for DEI-related policies, trainings, and programs, and to impose related restrictions on medical institutions of higher education. Senator Polsky and others questioned the bill’s broad and vague language, its effect on health-related work, public-facing agency positions, private contractors, and medical school admissions. The sponsor said the bill was intended to stop DEI from influencing state agencies and that the medical-school portion would likely be amended out later. Public testimony was overwhelmingly opposed, with speakers arguing the bill would harm health care, education, access, and minority communities; a few supporters said DEI is ideological and should be removed from government and public institutions. After debate, the bill was reported favorably on a party-line style vote, with Senator Errington voting no.
The committee then began SB 1678, relating to entities that boycott Israel, with a delete-all amendment. Senator Leak said the bill would expand Florida’s anti-BDS framework to cover nonprofits, foreign educational institutions, foreign government funds, academic boycotts, political subdivisions, and certain grants, while the amendment aligned the bill with existing law and clarified procurement and divestment provisions. Testimony included support from proponents who said Florida should not do business with entities engaged in boycotts of Israel, and opposition from speakers who argued the bill would restrict academic freedom and conscience. Debate continued as the transcript ended, with no final vote shown in the excerpt.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Monday, April 28, 2025)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- This week, the House will vote on several bills under the Congressional Review Act to repeal out-of-touch
- c><00:05:56.560><c> Act</c><00:05:57.280><c> to</c><00:05:57.600><c> repeal</c> the Congressional Review
- This executive order will expedite<00:07:47.360><c> the</c><00:07:47.599><c> review</c><00:07:47.919>
- <c> process</c><00:07:48.639><c> for</c> expedite the review process for expedite the review process
- instances of mortality, increased instances of maternal maternal maternal mortality,<07:43:13.040><c
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
2026 Legislative Session - Day Seventy One - Friday, May 15 - Afternoon Session
Missouri House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- Speaker, the committee on physical review... Mr.
- Speaker, your committee on fiscal review, to its first committee... Mr.
- The chair recognizes the Fiscal Review Chairman. Yes, Mr.
- Maternal mortality, please do something about maternal mortality.
- Maternal mortality, please do something about maternal mortality.
Summary:
The House honored its legislative drafters and then took up a series of conference committee reports and final passage motions on major end-of-session bills. SJR 87, dealing with the St. Louis sheriff issue, drew sharp debate over local autonomy and voter rights before the conference report and final passage both passed 95-46. SB 973, combining a wholesaler bill and a land bank provision, passed overwhelmingly after members described it as a consumer protection and cleanup measure. SB 1421, a large public safety package, was narrowed in conference to include clean slate changes, masked intimidation penalties, prosecuting attorney salaries, gift card fraud, fentanyl-related changes, and a drone-related emergency clause; the report, bill, and emergency clause all passed with strong bipartisan support. SB 835 and 1111, a combined package including insurance claim protections, court administration changes, treatment court authority, a St. Louis civil surcharge, and anti-SLAPP language, also passed after discussion about consumer protections and the removal of some provisions.
The House also approved SB 1408, which simply authorizes MoDOT and the Highway Commission to consider raising rural interstate speed limits from 70 to 75 mph; members emphasized that the bill had been stripped down to that single issue. SB 913, extending multiple agriculture tax credits from 2028 to 2033 and adding a short-line railroad credit, prompted the longest debate of the day. Supporters argued the credits have strong returns on investment and help rural economies, ethanol, biodiesel, meat processing, and farm-related jobs, while opponents said tax credits are not the same as tax cuts, questioned whether the benefits are proven, and warned about budget pressures and competing priorities. A proposed child tax credit amendment was offered and then withdrawn, and the bill ultimately passed 107-30.
Finally, SB 1553 passed 105-29 after members described it as a critical minerals and pharmaceuticals manufacturing incentive aimed at reducing reliance on foreign suppliers and supporting Missouri jobs. Supporters said it would help companies investing in in-state production of materials such as cobalt, nickel, and rare earth elements, while one member raised and then resolved concerns about whether the bill would affect local tax revenue. The House also received several Senate messages on other bills and then recessed after announcements, including a notice that the Fiscal Review Committee would meet shortly.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board - (6-24-26) - Reupload
Transcript Highlights:
- I actually had that question myself when I reviewed the report.
- So, myself when I reviewed the report.
- We have higher maternal mortality. We have higher infant mortality.
- We We have higher maternal mortality.
- We are not have higher infant mortality.
Keywords:
During the committee meeting live stream, portion of the video was lost due to network issues. There were also some technical difficulties with content and the incorrect background image being used.
The lost footage was recovered from backup, and the other issues corrected in post production editing.
1. 00:00:41 Call to Order
2. 00:01:02 Roll Call
3. 00:02:54 Approval of Minutes
4. 00:05:06 Statutory Reports and Data Requests
5. 00:35:14 2025 and 2026 Session Update
6. 01:03:10 Board Structure Updates and Subcommittees
7. 01:05:20 Public Comment
8. 02:23:14 Adjournment, 958, all
Summary:
The Medicaid Oversight Board meeting opened with quorum, approval of the March 9 and March 16, 2026 minutes, and a welcome to new member Representative Willner. The board then heard a presentation from the Department of Medicaid Services on several statutory reports: the quarterly budget analysis (LRC) report, the quarterly MCO report, the provider tax and assessment report, the enrollee demographic report, the annual behavioral health/substance use disorder utilization report, and the Medicaid pharmaceutical rebate fund. Commissioner Lisa Lee and CFO Steve Bechal explained the reports and answered questions.
On spending, DMS said the quarterly budget analysis report should be read using the summary tabs because the first tab reflects only traditional Medicaid and does not include all populations. Lee said the first three quarters of fiscal year 2026 showed about $191 million more in waiver spending than the same period last year, about $250 million more in other categories such as nursing facilities, CCBHCs, and FQHCs, and roughly $450 million more in total fee-for-service spending. She also noted that Medicare Part D premiums are 100% state funds and estimated the state-fund increase at about $140 million. For managed care, DMS said pharmacy, inpatient hospital, and outpatient hospital spending made up about 66% of MCO payments so far this fiscal year.
Members asked about administrative costs, provider tax impacts, citizenship-status categories, medical loss ratio, and whether the reports could be expanded to show recoupments and citizenship-based spending. DMS clarified that the spending figures discussed were benefit costs only, not administrative costs, and said administrative match rates vary. On the provider tax and directed payments report, Lee said the new CMS proposed rule would allow separate payment terms to continue through the grandfathering period, but that the impact would be substantial for providers even if the administrative effect was minimal. She also said DMS was still reviewing unusual citizenship categories such as “other” and “unspecified,” and would provide more information on medical loss ratio and recoupments if available.
Auditor Ball raised concerns about alleged waste, duplicate Social Security numbers, ineligible enrollees, and high error rates in other programs. Lee responded that Medicaid focuses on fraud, waste, and abuse, but said the cited $800 million figure was not factual because it did not account for people enrolled in more than one Medicaid program at the same time. She said DMS is reviewing eligibility systems, including changes tied to community engagement requirements, and is working with the cabinet’s eligibility staff and ombudsman division on error rates. No additional votes or formal actions were taken beyond approving the minutes.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Agriculture & Natural Resources Jan 30th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- The bill creates a joint legislative task force to review and recommend ways to streamline, eliminate
- Of course, they feed on ungulates, but that could be that mortality or predation could be compensatory
- Between 2020 and 2024, Washington experienced over 150 wolf mortalities.
- Wolf mortality across the five years included WDFW lethal removals, poaching, and incidental deaths.
- For example, toxic chemicals and runoff are a significant contributor to pre-spawn mortality. 6PPD, a
Summary:
The committee heard public testimony on House Bill 2619, which would create a joint legislative task force to review and recommend ways to reduce regulatory burdens in agriculture, and on House Joint Memorial 4009, which asks Congress to ensure federal wildfire response agencies remain capable of protecting communities, natural resources, and firefighter safety. On HB 2619, the prime sponsor and supporters from the Washington State Department of Agriculture, cattle, wheat, potato, onion, and dairy interests said the bill responds to farm stress and suicide concerns by examining regulatory overload; WSDA supported the concept but noted a fiscal note, and members discussed whether the task force scope and cost could be reduced before policy cutoff. On HJM 4009, staff and the sponsor described the memorial as a request for stronger federal wildfire capacity and coordination, with testimony from tribes, counties, forest landowners, conservation groups, and public employees emphasizing wildfire risk, smoke impacts, and the importance of federal-state cooperation; the committee also repeatedly tied the memorial to support for state wildfire funding under 1168 and heard broad support for restoring that funding.
The committee then took up House Bill 2221, which would require the Department of Fish and Wildlife to designate at-risk ungulate populations and begin predator mitigation when certain population declines occur, while also requiring annual reporting and white-tailed deer surveys. The sponsor argued the bill addresses rapidly declining deer and elk herds, predator pressure, food security, and rural economies in northeast Washington. Supporters included some local residents, ranchers, sheriffs, county officials, and the Colville Tribes, who said predators, livestock conflicts, and reduced hunting opportunity are harming communities and that the state should act more aggressively. Opponents included WDFW staff, Washington Wildlife First, the Sierra Club, the Animal Legal Defense Fund, and other conservation voices, who said the bill is not scientifically supported, would be costly, and wrongly blames predators rather than habitat, forage, weather, disease, and vehicle collisions; several said predator control would have limited value and could undermine wolf recovery. Some agricultural and sportsmen groups supported the bill in principle but asked for amendments, especially to remove or revise the in-state wolf translocation provision. No final votes or executive action were taken in the hearing.
WA
Transcript Highlights:
- for step housing, only administrative design review may be required.
- Most commonly, in the form of supplemental administrative review, unequal and unclear standards, and
- We're also concerned about removing the ability to review basic operating plans.
- For those living outside on the streets, the mortality rate is 10 times higher.
- For those living outside on the streets, the mortality rate is 10 times higher.