Transcript Highlights:

• This number far exceeds the Legislature's total appropriation to the AG's office over that same period
• prescription drug benefit landscape. prescription drug benefit landscape.
• Um, and the cost of prescription drugs are not any lower. And so, um, I don't like them.
• <01:15:34.960> And<01:15:35.199> that the cost of prescription drugs.
• And that the cost of prescription drugs.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• you want to refer all that's on the computer screen of the insurance provider during that 6 hour period
• And if someone doesn't have that, you need to be able to take that prescription somewhere else.
• You no longer have access to getting that prescription, which is a huge issue.
• It had to be mixed and all this stuff again, when you are in an emergency situation and need a prescription
• Respect discussion where I needed the prescription right away for my dog because it was sent electronically

Transcript Highlights:

• I'll defer to the expert as to this person will not be held for a long period of time to get that blood
• In a nutshell, what that is, is that certain entities can get prescriptions at a lower rate, and then
• But full-scale prescriptions May actually be better dispensed by a pharmacy that is subject to Board
• So that those prescriptions can be given to those patients.
• Specific regarding filling any Medicaid claim for prescription medications with a 340B discounted drug

Transcript Highlights:

• There will be a time limit of three minutes per witness during the public testimony period.
• Now, during dry periods, that's going to reverse.
• after hearing a lot of the discussions here today, ...that I would caution everyone on getting too prescriptive
• So, this is a balance, but I just would encourage everyone to not get too prescriptive.
• So, it's, uh, this is just don't try to… get too prescriptive with it is all I want to say.

Bills: HB24, HB27, HB24, HB27

Keywords: groundwater, conservation, water permits, sustainability, resource management, 997, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I would, but they wouldn't need a prescription under this bill.
• <00:49:19.440> under<00:49:19.720> this prescription under this prescription under this
• That prescription is not required. We probably need to make that language more clear.
• I agree, just as long as the prescription is in place. Right.
• I agree, just as long as the prescription is in place. Right.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee first reviewed its schedule, noting that 13 bills were being executed the next day and that additional subcommittee work would be scheduled around Town Meeting Day and the following session days. The chair explained that the committee would not meet on Town Meeting Day, would handle the remaining bills on the next available subcommittee day, and would continue any unfinished items later in the month. The committee then took up House Bill 774, which concerned Medicare-related coverage issues. Members discussed the bill’s purpose and the differences between Medicare standard and Medicare Advantage, with one member saying the proposal was informative but did not offer a workable solution. The committee also moved to inexpedient to legislate on House Bill 185, and the motion passed on a 6-0 vote. House Bill 241, relating to alternatives to opioids, was retained for further work. Members said the bill raised concerns about insurers effectively practicing medicine and about the lack of evidence on the efficacy of some alternative treatments, while also noting that chiropractic coverage mandates already exist in statute. The committee voted to retain the bill, with the motion passing 6-0. The most extended discussion was on House Bill 648, which would expand insurance coverage for glucose monitoring. Testimony and committee comments focused on whether coverage should be tied to insulin use or instead to a physician’s medical judgment, the role of continuous glucose monitoring for people with type 2 diabetes who are not on insulin, and the potential cost impact. An insurance department fiscal analyst said the original $22-per-member estimate was based on the unamended bill and that the amended version would require updated analysis; members agreed to retain the bill to narrow the eligible population and revisit the language later.

Transcript Highlights:

• you know 12 months and um 10year period you know 12 months and um you<00:35:33.079> know<00:35
• That was not typically allowable, but due to the pandemic it was allowable for a short period of time
• What that's telling you in the February forecast is that, for the period of fiscal years 2024-25, the
• What the CMS requires is that if we're going to cover prescription drugs, we have to cover drugs that
• What the CMS requires is that if we're going to cover prescription drugs, we have to cover drugs that

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• It a two and a half year filing period.
• <00:25:34.559> has pending and that the filing period has pending and that the filing period
• <01:22:56.960> drug so on the prescription drug so on the prescription drug affordability<
• <01:37:14.080> Uh narrow open enrollment period. Uh narrow open enrollment period.
• Um the next one, granted period.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• If it's a legal prescription, they, it should not be held against a person. um, and also, uh, they, they
• should not be biased of, um, and they should accurately write, you know, she has a legal prescription
• That being said, I'm not certain that the bill, 3 hours over a 2-year period doesn't seem like enough
• That conflicts with 263002c, which says send the child home if there's no danger, period. OK.
• If the mother voluntarily discloses, uh, within a period of time, I've forgotten what that is, 5 days

Bills: HB116

Keywords: film industry, incentives, economic development, state funding, media production

Transcript Highlights:

• gross revenue uh related to prescription gross revenue uh related to prescription drug<00:13:08.720
• Sections 6 through 14 modify requirements for reporting to the commissioner on prescription drug prices
• Technically, we comply with them, and especially with a working group during this period.
• Another key provision, the formulary freeze, will allow Minnesotans to keep their needed prescriptions
• through the plan year prescriptions through the plan year affects<00:57:58.720> um,<00:57:59.119

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It was during this period that a friend informed me of medical cannabis.
• cancer has far-reaching and long-term impacts to our mental health, and I'm grateful that this prescription
• Texas Compassionate Use Program provides relief from life-limiting symptoms that no pharmaceutical prescription

Transcript Highlights:

• the physicians to prescribe whatever they think is necessary for that woman, be it therapy or prescription
• Now, they are going to cover the adequate drugs necessary to help a woman in the postpartum period.
• What this bill does is just extend that same protection to pharmacists that fill those prescriptions

Bills: SB191, HB84, HB79, SB132, HB108, HB109, HB110, HB114, HB118, HB120, HB122, HB124, HB126, HB128, HB129, HB131

Keywords: postpartum depression, mental health, Medicaid, screening, education, maternal health, Chiropractic, Board of Chiropractic Examiners, license renewal, continuing education, election procedures, off-label, pharmacists, medical treatment, state board of pharmacy, employment protection, SB132, Alabama, controlled substances, Schedule I

Transcript Highlights:

• I prescription drug affordability board.
• <03:17:00.640> drug was that the prescription drug was that the prescription drug affordability
• <03:18:39.279> drug offset the prescription drug offset the prescription drug affordability
• That's the prescription drug affordability board.
• That's the prescription drug affordability board.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first considered House Bill 66, a right-to-know measure that would broaden access from “citizen” to “person,” including out-of-state requesters. Members also adopted an amendment removing the current no-filing-fee provision for appeals of unfavorable right-to-know ombudsman rulings, citing budget concerns. The bill was then reported ought to pass as amended on a 16-9 vote, with a minority report requested. House Bill 187, which would let a parent or guardian seek a protective order on behalf of a minor alleging abuse by someone outside the family or household, was described as a narrow fix with little fiscal impact. It passed unanimously, 25-0, and was placed on the consent calendar. House Bill 215, requiring landfill permit applicants to submit a report on potential harms and benefits, was retained because its policy had been folded into House Bill 2; the committee voted 25-0 to retain it. House Bill 219, dealing with renewable portfolio standard changes and lower renewable energy certificate values, drew opposition from members who said it would weaken renewable energy development and raise concerns about energy costs, but the motion to retain was adopted 14-11, allowing the bill to be moved into House Bill 2. The committee then retained House Bills 365, 552, 566, 572, 607, 611, and 624, all by unanimous or near-unanimous votes, generally because the relevant policy or funding had been incorporated into House Bill 2 or because the bills were viewed as technical or low-impact. HB 566 was described as a landfill leach-management bill with a fiscal note under $10,000 annually and was sent to consent. HB 572 and HB 607 were retained because their money components were moved into HB 2, though one member objected that HB 607 represented an unfunded mandate for the Hampton Beach Area Commission. House Bill 511, concerning ICE detainers and county detention practices, generated the most debate. Supporters said the amendment clarified how long counties may hold detainees without a federal contract and compared the detention period to existing bail rules; opponents argued the bill could sanction detention of people not charged with crimes and raised due-process concerns. The committee adopted the amendment 14-11 and then reported the bill ought to pass as amended on another 14-11 vote, with a minority report requested. House Bill 639, involving securities and digital currency issues, was also reported ought to pass after members noted unresolved concerns but said the Secretary of State’s Securities Division was willing to continue working on it in the other body; the vote was 16-10.

Transcript Highlights:

• H-1343 will also allow a physician to dispense a prescription medication directly to their patient at
• The importance of this was driven home two weeks ago when I sent a prescription for a college student
• Like many Massachusetts health centers, CHP Berkshires has gone through a difficult financial period
• In the postpartum period, we average five home visits. They last two to three hours in the home.
• Continuity of care, meaning having the same provider through pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The committee held a public hearing with testimony on several health care bills, with most of the discussion focused on primary care access, community health center reimbursement, midwifery and birth centers, telehealth, hospital-at-home, direct primary care, and trans-inclusive health care access. Chair Feeney and Chair Murphy opened by noting the large number of signups and asking testifiers to keep remarks brief because of time constraints. Legislators and witnesses repeatedly emphasized that Massachusetts’ primary care system is under strain and that federal policy changes and reimbursement gaps are worsening financial pressure on providers. On community health centers, Representative Blay, Senator Lovely, Michael Curry, Bethany Keeley, Jag Deep Trevetti, Sean Cahill, and Christina Severin all supported H. 1096/S. 711, which would require commercial insurers to pay federally qualified health centers at least the MassHealth prospective payment system rate. They argued that commercial plans currently reimburse health centers below Medicaid rates, threatening sustainability, staffing, and access, especially as federal cuts and coverage losses could increase uncompensated care. Testifiers said the bill would stabilize health centers, protect primary care access, and not cost the state money. A second major topic was H. 1117/S. 784 on sustaining birth centers and the midwifery workforce. Senator Lovely, Senator Miranda, Emily Anesta, Rebecca Orden, Catherine Rushworth, Nishira Burrill, Joel Sutherland, Rachel Blessington, Joelle Ward, and others described the 2024 maternal health omnibus as an important first step, but said birth centers and midwives still face low reimbursement, workforce shortages, and financial instability. They urged reimbursement parity, a workforce development fund, and support for freestanding birth centers, citing improved outcomes, lower C-section rates, better patient experience, and racial equity in maternal health. Several speakers shared personal birth stories and said the bill would help preserve and expand birth options in communities like Roxbury, Worcester, and the North Shore. The committee also heard support for H. 1343 on direct primary care from Dr. Garofalo, Dr. Altman, Dr. Nair, Stephanie Cameron, Dr. Haley Moke-Blessed, and others, who said current insurance rules force patients to use a separate in-network primary care doctor for referrals and sometimes prevent physicians from dispensing medications. They argued the bill would reduce delays, administrative burden, and costs while improving continuity of care. In addition, Dr. Miklides and Sue Stempeck supported H. 1141 on hospital-at-home parity, saying the model has strong outcomes and should be reimbursed at the same rate as brick-and-mortar hospital care. Heather Myers and Katrina Cook testified on telehealth and digital health equity, urging broader coverage for asynchronous care, remote monitoring, interpreter services, and digital literacy supports. SEIU Local 509 supported H. 1188/S. 681 on trans-inclusive health care access, saying it would remove arbitrary insurance barriers to gender-affirming care. No votes or committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:15:43.839> than period than period than >> uh<00:15:45.680> maybe<00:15:46.079
• And we've already said as a state policy that for those certain offenses after a certain period of time
• of time, we're going to certain period of time, we're going to eliminate<00:20:52.960> those<
• <00:53:46.559> um<00:53:47.599> on talking a much longer time period um on talking
• a much longer time period um on the<00:53:48.000> range<00:53:48.240> of<00:53:48.400><

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:00 Roll Call: 00:00:05 25 RS HB 534 - AN ACT relating to actions for forcible entry and detainer: 00:01:45 25 RS SB 111 - AN ACT relating to juvenile justice: 00:23:46 Children's Advocacy Centers of Kentucky: 01:13:26 Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Treatment in State and County Correctional Facilities: 01:25:28, 958, all

Summary: The committee approved the September 18 minutes and then heard testimony on House Bill 534, which would automatically seal dismissed eviction filings and protect youth from public disclosure in forcible detainer cases. Rep. Susan Tyler Whitten and George Ecklan of the Coalition for the Homeless said the bill is aimed at reducing housing barriers for Kentuckians, especially those with dismissed cases, while preserving landlords’ rights to pursue rent, collections, damages, and other legal remedies. They said the proposal was developed with input from landlords, clerks, judges, AOC, and service providers, and noted that similar laws exist in other states. Several members, including Sen. Neimes, Rep. Deetsz, Rep. Cole Carney, and Sen. Thomas, expressed support while emphasizing that the bill is narrowly tailored to dismissed cases and should not affect legitimate landlord claims; Sen. Wheeler raised concerns about cases involving settlements or delays and whether future landlords should know about them. The sponsors responded that the bill only covers dismissed actions, that dismissals require a judge’s order, and that the goal is to remove barriers created by records that remain publicly visible even when a case is resolved. The committee then took up Senate Bill 111 on juvenile justice. Commissioner Randy White, Kentucky Hospital Association President Nancy Galvanny, and Dr. Clark Lester of the University of Kentucky said the bill would require a secure state-run facility for youth with high-acuity mental health needs in detention and, until that is built, create a process with incentives for private hospitals to provide inpatient treatment with safeguards and increased compensation. They argued that detention is not an appropriate setting for severely mentally ill, violent youth and that private psychiatric hospitals often refuse these referrals or discharge them early. Dr. Lester cited recent referral data showing high denial rates for juvenile justice youth in private hospitals in August and September, often due to aggression, and described a case in which repeated placement attempts failed because of violent and self-harming behavior. The presenters said the bill is intended to fill a service gap and improve safety and outcomes for youth, staff, and hospitals, but no vote or final action on the bill was taken in the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• review, and they're seeking ratification of payment for all of the services provided during the gap period
• review, and they're seeking ratification of payment for all of the services provided during the gap period
• You'll see they provided the rate structure for 25, 22, The services provided during the gap period.
• This is Amendment 6 to an existing contract for the prescription drug coverage program for the ASU System
• This is Amendment 6 to an existing contract for the prescription drug coverage program for the ASU system

Summary: The committee met to review a supplemental agenda, procurement rule revisions, methods of finance, discretionary grants, contracts, and a member disclosure. The Office of State Procurement presented rule changes tied to 2025 legislative changes, including Act 782, with updates to sole-source definitions, unrealistic bids, protest requirements, debarment procedures, and recodification references; the committee voted to accept the supplemental agenda and approve the rules. Members also approved eight methods of finance covering university repairs, equipment replacement, property purchase, and capital projects, along with a large slate of discretionary grants for courts, health, DHS, historic preservation, and tobacco prevention programs. The committee then reviewed RFQs and six ratifications. The ratifications included a Workforce Connections payment to ACT WorkKeys, Department of Health costs from an ice-storm-related water leak, a large Department of Public Safety ratification for Motorola’s Arkansas Wireless Information Network upgrade, Veterans Affairs HVAC and medical-service payments, and a UA Little Rock painting contract. The Department of Public Safety ratification drew extended questioning about why the expired Motorola contract had not been renewed sooner and why the issue took months to reach the committee; agency officials said the project was bond-funded, had not been tracked in ASIS, and involved ongoing negotiations and system updates. Despite concerns, the committee approved the ratifications. Members also reviewed a long list of construction, intergovernmental, out-of-state, and in-state contracts, including numerous university, DHS, health, corrections, and state agency agreements. Several contracts were discussed in more detail, including an SAU custodial contract question about sales tax and transparency reporting, and Department of Corrections aerial application contracts for Tucker and Cummins farms, which officials said served separate facilities in different parts of the state. The committee approved the contract lists, reviewed reports, and accepted a disclosure from Representative Andrew Collins regarding his investment interest in a company leasing property to Arkansas Rehabilitation Services before adjourning.

Transcript Highlights:

• in the Code of Criminal Procedure relative to arrests made for domestic abuse and minimum holding periods
• House Bill 783 by Representative Coates is Act to Minitles 3. holding periods, it lies over.
• periods.
• periods.
• period.

Keywords: 974, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To the bill as HR1 provisions, this bill includes a 45-day look-back period for work requirements, a
• I think the question that we have is this bill is more prescriptive.
• So, if we're going to be more prescriptive on which sections that we're going to be pulling on, it's
• We're giving guidance more prescriptive.
• We're going to be more prescriptive on which sections that we're going to be pulling on.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 4466, the Health Finance and Policy bill, and first adopted the A8 amendment, described as a set of technical fixes. Members then considered a large A9 amendment that bundled a wide range of Children and Families provisions, including child care licensing modernization, crisis nursery licensing, SNAP/MFIT-related language, child care provider self-reporting, a physical abuse recognition poster, child protection and welfare provisions, funding for parent support outreach, and forensic interview training scholarships. Supporters described it as bipartisan work with relatively small fiscal impact, while opponents said it greatly expanded the bill and should be handled separately; after a roll call, the A9 amendment failed 7-14. Representative Scott then offered the A11 amendment, raising concerns about new all-payer claims database language and whether it should have been heard in the Judiciary and Civil Law Committee. Department of Health staff explained the data-sharing safeguards, de-identification process, fee structure, and enforcement provisions, but Scott remained concerned about privacy and the scope of the program and withdrew the amendment. The committee then moved to final bill discussion. Members and authors described HF 4466 as a lean health finance bill largely conforming Minnesota law to federal HR1 Medicaid-related changes, including work requirements, retroactive eligibility limits, cost-sharing, and home equity provisions. Supporters argued conformity was necessary to avoid major federal funding losses and noted a few additional member bills in the package; opponents criticized the federal changes as harmful, especially for vulnerable populations such as victims of trafficking and domestic violence. Fiscal staff said the bill would save just over $2 million in FY 2026-27 and almost $98 million in FY 2028-29. No final vote on the bill itself was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Service facilities in the West, including in Albuquerque, and found that just within a three-year period
• And in that period of time, I've had 17 women come up to me and say, 'I'm not sure.
• You know, what it does is it really provides more prescriptive criteria for...
• You know, what it does is it really provides more prescriptive criteria for how we evaluate the projects

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Their statewide guidelines are not necessarily prescriptive; not every council looks the same. ...prescriptive
• Um, and then thinking about how to educate judges about the grace period.
• Um, thinking about opportunities. period.

Keywords: 924, joint, all

Transcript Highlights:

• to invite Senator Burgess to the podium when on Senate Bill 668, on the storage and disposal of prescription
• get at the heart of the conflict between federal and state law that deals with the disposal of prescription
• So we're only talking about a less than three-year period.
• Physician for practicing medicine in any geographic area for any period after termination of his or her

Keywords: 999, senate, all