Transcript Highlights:

• and this educational system.
• I think in the long term, I'm a libertarian. I think government should be very small.
• So, again, a long-term goal for me as well as other people who think like me.
• long term.
• of my term length.

Summary: The committee first took up 127 gubernatorial appointees grouped in blocks and, after brief testimony in favor of several nominees, voted to recommend confirmation of the block nominees to the full Senate. The committee then moved through a series of University of West Florida and other board nominations, hearing from each nominee about their background and priorities, with most emphasizing service, local ties, student success, military partnerships, and university growth. Several nominees also answered questions about governance, faculty hiring, diversity, and the university’s strategic direction. For the University of West Florida Board of Trustees, the committee heard from Paul Bailey, Rebecca Matthews, Rachel Moyah, Ashley Ross, Christopher Young, and Adam Kissel. Bailey stressed his local roots, legal background, and support for UWF’s pre-law program and military connections; Matthews highlighted her education and state-government experience, current role as board chair, enrollment growth, fundraising, and alignment with state directives; Moyah cited her education and school board experience, fiscal discipline, and recent positive financial and enrollment figures; Ross emphasized fundraising, workforce needs, cyber opportunities, and support for the governor’s higher education agenda; and Young focused on business accountability, audit oversight, rural access to education, and expanding military-related opportunities. Each of these nominees was questioned about issues such as diversity, “woke” culture, faculty ideology, and the role of the board, and each was ultimately recommended for confirmation by roll-call vote. Adam Kissel’s nomination drew the most extensive debate and public testimony. Kissel described his background in free speech advocacy, federal education policy, philanthropy, and higher education reform, and said he would support UWF’s growth, free-speech protections, military and veteran engagement, and stronger graduation rates. Senators pressed him on prior writings favoring privatization of public higher education, comments about replacing administrators with AI, his work with the Heritage Foundation and Project 2025, and how his views fit with serving on a public university board; he said his long-term libertarian views did not conflict with his short-term support for UWF receiving more resources. Public testimony was split, with supporters praising his free-speech credentials, military focus, and alignment with the governor’s reforms, while opponents questioned his commitment to public higher education and whether he could be trusted to learn the university from the ground up. After debate, the committee voted to recommend Kissel’s confirmation to the full Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• I didn't realize we could have students that were not within the system of care, whether it's a foster
• care system by some kind of social services expert.
• system to begin with.
• literacy tools and open lines of communication is one of the most effective methods for ensuring the long-term
• The bill is very careful. It's... The bill is very careful.

Committee: Senate Education

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So I don't think I'm speaking on a term there.
• But I think in terms, please. Yeah. Yeah.
• But I think in terms, please...
• And then there's a long period until the case is resolved. And the long...
• of kids that cycle, right, that come into the system and return to the system, and they might be returning

Committee: Senate Senate Committee on Juvenile and Emerging Adult Justice

Keywords: 1212, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Gleason and probably you talked about long-term and short-term.
• And then probably you talked about long term and short term.
• It seems like the DRS Plus is short term where maybe we think about long term.
• So the question is, what do we do in terms of long-term resource adequacy?
• The question is, what do we do in terms of long-term resource adequacy?

Summary: The Senate Business and Commerce Committee held its third interim hearing on Texas electric grid reliability and 765 kV transmission lines/private property rights. Chair Schwertner opened by noting record ERCOT summer demand of 91,089 MW and emphasized the committee’s focus on managing rapid load growth, ensuring adequate generation, and protecting homeowners, businesses, landowners, and ratepayers. The committee also adopted strict two-minute limits for public testimony and planned to hear invited witnesses first, then public testimony. PUC Chairman Thomas Gleeson, ERCOT CEO Pablo Vegas, and OPUC Chief Counsel Benjamin Barclay testified on Senate Bill 6 implementation, large-load interconnection, transmission cost allocation, and market design. Gleeson said the PUC has adopted or is finalizing rules on net metering/co-location, large load interconnection standards, and a transmission cost recovery rule that would move from 4CP to 12CP, lengthen the interval to 30 minutes, and add a minimum demand charge to better allocate costs to large loads. Vegas explained ERCOT’s new batch process for large loads, saying it provides year-by-year capacity allocations, clearer financial obligations, and a transmission plan; he reported 205 GW eligible for Batch Zero, with 65 GW classified as baseload, 25 GW in an intermediate category, and 114 GW as allocated load. Barclay supported the changes as better protection for residential and small commercial customers, while warning that the minimum demand charge may need an exit-fee concept to address stranded costs if large loads leave. Members pressed witnesses on whether additional market changes are needed to attract dispatchable thermal generation and whether DRS/DRRS Plus could become a capacity-market substitute. Gleeson and Vegas said the current market still favors solar, batteries, and other low-variable-cost resources, and that more incentives may be needed for gas and other thermal generation; Gleeson said the commission’s reliability standard assessment will begin this year and conclude next year with a 2029 outlook. They described DRS as an ancillary service for intraday reliability and DRS Plus as a proposed real-time revenue mechanism for thermal resources during scarcity, not a forward capacity market. Senators also questioned whether 12CP could still be gamed, whether curtailment authority under SB 6 should be expanded from EEA 2 to earlier stages, and whether the batch process should be bifurcated so traditional industrial loads are handled differently from data centers. Witnesses said the batch process is intended to prevent speculative projects from driving transmission costs, that most large-load projects are data centers, and that future rules may need to better distinguish among types of large loads.

Transcript Highlights:

• Overall, we want to reduce the time and money spent in our U.S. health care system, which is the only
• Chloe King, with Political Solutions, on behalf of Memorial Care Health System, in opposition.
• Right now, as I understand, all hospitals and health care systems get to negotiate that system individually
• Medi-Cal recipients receiving their care through a managed care system, it is critical that we ensure
• I urge you to consider the long-term cost to families and vote no on this Handmaid's Tale bill.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard several bills focused on health care access, oversight, and affordability. The first major item was SB 306 by Senator Becker, a prior authorization reform bill. Becker and supporters, including the California Medical Association and California Hospital Association, argued that prior authorization delays care, adds administrative burden, and can lead to serious patient harm. The bill was substantially amended late in the process to have DMHC and CDI identify services and drugs to exempt from prior authorization based on utilization data, with safeguards for fraud, waste, abuse, and patient safety. Health plans and insurers opposed the measure as written, saying prior authorization remains an important utilization-management tool and raising concerns about the 90% threshold, drug inclusion, and how modifications are counted. The committee also heard SB 35 by Senator Umberg, which would let cities or counties inspect unlicensed sober living homes if DHCS does not act promptly on complaints. Supporters said the bill would address weak enforcement and protect residents, while one behavioral health directors group opposed it unless amended. Members generally supported the measure, citing problems with unlicensed facilities and the need for local enforcement backup. The committee then heard SB 62, which would codify California’s updated essential health benefits benchmark if approved by the federal government. Senator Wiener said the package would add hearing aids, durable medical equipment, and infertility treatment including IVF, acknowledging that premiums could rise but arguing the benefits were worth it. Health Access California and other advocates supported the bill, while the California Family Council opposed it. The committee also took up SB 596 by Senator Menjivar, which would tighten the rules for hospitals claiming an on-call list as a defense to nurse staffing ratio penalties. Supporters, including nurses and SEIU, said hospitals have used vague or ineffective on-call practices to avoid accountability and that the bill would improve enforcement and patient safety. Hospital groups opposed it, arguing that staffing is highly dynamic, that hospitals need flexibility to manage acuity and emergencies, and that the bill could increase costs and interfere with collective bargaining arrangements. Finally, the committee heard SB 40 by Senator Wiener, the Insulin Affordability Act, which would cap insulin copays at $35 for a 30-day supply and restrict step therapy unless a plan covers at least one insulin in each drug type. Supporters, including physicians, diabetes advocates, nurses, students, and patient groups, said insulin is life-saving and too often unaffordable, forcing patients to ration or choose between medication and basic needs. There was no formal opposition testimony, though one member questioned why insulin remains so expensive. The committee also began discussion of SB 363, but the transcript cuts off before that bill’s full presentation or any action on the measures. No votes are recorded in the portion provided, and several bills were noted as consent items earlier in the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• Gaps as far as the EMS system is concerned? Yep.
• Do you believe the current MOU system as it exists interrupts the delivery of care to certain areas?
• is elected in that next term.
• I know they worked long and hard.
• It's designed for the long term, but it's also designed to bring balance.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Local Government heard testimony on Senate Substitute for Senate Bill 975, which dealt with community paramedic/mobile integrated health services and related jurisdictional issues. Supporters, including representatives from Caldwell County Ambulance, Osage Ambulance District, and Cox Health EMS, described community paramedic programs as effective in rural and regional care, reducing Medicaid costs, helping frequent ER users, supporting early hospital discharges, and filling gaps in underserved areas. A representative of the Missouri State Council of Firefighters opposed the jurisdictional changes added in the Senate, saying the organization supported the underlying bill but wanted the community paramedic language clarified so services could continue without conflict between service areas. Committee members asked about MOUs, service-area boundaries, and whether the Senate amendment was necessary, but no vote was taken and testimony was closed. The committee then took up House Bill 3496, sponsored by Representative Reedy, which would update county official salary schedules and assessed valuation ranges that have been in place for about 45 years. Reedy and Missouri Association of Counties Executive Director Steve Hobbs said the bill was the product of a multi-year task force effort and was intended to preserve local control while modernizing minimum salary schedules to reflect current county valuations and economic conditions. Members discussed how the bill would interact with existing salary-setting practices, annual training requirements, and prior legislation, and noted concerns about public misunderstanding when county commissions set salaries above the base schedule. Support for HB 3496 came from the Missouri Association of Counties and Warren County Presiding Commissioner Joe Gildon, who said he approved of the bill. There was no opposition or informational testimony on HB 3496, and the chair closed the public hearing and adjourned the meeting after testimony concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Medicaid has become the cornerstone of Kentucky's health care system, supporting the economic stability
• Medicaid has become the cornerstone of Kentucky's health care system, supporting the economic stability
• </c> the cornerstone of Kucky's health care the cornerstone of Kucky's health care system,<00:42:41.440
• That's always been the emphasis in terms of making sure people are getting the care that they deserve
• That's always been the emphasis in terms of making sure people are getting the care that they deserve

Committee: House Appropriations & Revenue

Keywords: Meeting Start 00:00:00 Roll Call 00:00:15 HB 1 Discussion 00:02:00 HB 1 Vote 00:15:05 HB 2 Discussion 00:17:20 HB 2 Vote 01:13:20, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Pension funding is a long-term game, so it's important to have a long-term view.
• So it's important to have a long-term view.
• It's a long-term game, right? We want this to be more stable.
• In the long term, though, the forecasts are mostly in the range of 2.3% to 2.5%.
• You know, that’s been hit on earlier, but worth repeating: the actual long-term cost of these systems

Committee: Joint Select Committee on Pension Policy

Summary: The committee approved the July minutes and then received an informational presentation from the Office of the State Actuary on the financial condition of the state retirement systems. The actuary reported that employer contribution rates are generally declining, helped by strong investment returns and reduced funding for PERS 1 and TERS 1, while funded ratios have continued to improve; on a combined basis the plans were reported at 100% funded in 2024, with open plans above 95% and legacy plans varying by system. The presentation also reviewed projected rates and funded ratios under current assumptions, noted that pension costs are taking a smaller share of the state general fund, and discussed risks from investment volatility, policy changes, and demographic experience. Committee members asked about savings from lower rates, deferred asset smoothing, and how Washington compares with other states. The committee then considered the state actuary’s recommendation on long-term economic assumptions and adopted all four recommendations by roll call votes: inflation at 3.0%, general salary growth at 3.5%, membership growth for Plan 1 funding at 1.0%, and investment rate of return at 7.25%. The actuaries explained that the inflation and salary growth increases were driven largely by higher long-term inflation expectations, while the investment return recommendation matched the current statutory assumption. Members discussed the timing of the Pension Funding Council’s decision, the effect of tariffs and inflation uncertainty, and how assumption changes would affect future contribution rates and budgets, particularly for open plans. Staff then gave an update on the LEOFF 1 study, explaining the difference between being “ahead of schedule” and truly overfunded, and summarizing responses received from DRS, the State Treasurer, and the State Investment Board on the merger and restatement proposals. DRS said both bills could be administered, though the merger bill’s COLA banking provision would be challenging until its new system is ready; the Treasurer urged caution, especially about the restatement bill and the use of one-time funds; and the Investment Board said removing assets from the trust would have some transaction costs but likely small impacts. The committee discussed whether to invite additional agencies and local government groups to testify, and staff said more responses, including from Ice Miller and the State Actuary, were expected for the October meeting. Finally, the committee heard a briefing on PERS 1/TERS 1 COLA policy and related bills from the last session. Staff reviewed the committee’s prior ongoing COLA recommendation, the SCPP-endorsed bills that would have created a one-time 3% COLA followed by an ongoing COLA, the Senate merger bill, and a separate ad hoc COLA bill. Public testimony largely supported Plan 1 COLAs and stable contribution rates, while several speakers urged caution about transferring LEOFF 1 surplus assets or merging legacy plans, and others raised concerns about climate risk and the pension fund’s investments. No further committee action was taken on the COLA item during this portion of the meeting.

Transcript Highlights:

• health care systems.
• health care systems.
• health care systems.
• care systems.
• care systems.

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:19:43.440><c> However,</c><00:19:43.919><c> Kentucky</c><00:19:44.559><c> has</c> long-term care
• However, Kentucky has long-term care.
• ><c> I</c><00:47:59.599><c> do</c> long-term care industries industry, I do long-term care industries
• workers, whether you work in a hospital, long-term care facility, or a physician's office.
• care facility, or a hospital, long-term care facility, or a<00:51:15.920><c> physician's</c><00:51:16.480

Committee: House Health Services

Keywords: 00:00:00 - Call to Order/Roll Call 00:01:25 - Discussion of 26RS HB 689 00:15:15 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 689 00:17:02 - Discussion of 26RS HB 407 00:45:40 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 407 00:49:25 - Discussion of 26RS HB 713 00:55:50 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 713 00:56:54 - Discussion of 26RS HB 676 01:06:42 - Roll Call Vote on 26RS HB 676 01:08:43 - Adjournment, 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• SB 1630 modernizes Florida's aging and long-term care statutes, streamlines service delivery, and strengthens
• With regard to long-term care streamlining, it allows DOEA-authorized and certified staff to complete
• long-term care eligibility screenings used by aging and disability resource centers.
• for seniors in long-term care.
• In Washington, D.C., and Tallahassee, primarily for seniors in long-term care, nursing homes, but also

Committee: Senate Children, Families, and Elder Affairs

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And I want to point out a few different changes that have occurred over the long term.
• Another change that we've seen over the long term is that compared with 2010, 2023 saw higher labor force
• And I want to point out a few different changes that have occurred over the long term.
• </c><00:02:45.640><c> term</c><00:02:46.640><c> uh</c> have occurred over the long term uh have occurred
• long term so in the labor force over the long term so in the<00:05:05.560><c> shorter</c><00:05:06.000

Committee: Senate Jobs and Economic Development

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• In the long term, individuals who experience an ACL tear face a significant re-injury risk, early onset
• of osteoarthritis, chronic pain, and long-term joint damage.
• of care.
• This bill will support long-term transparency and accountability in our high-speed rail transformation
• to the care team.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Texas 2036 has supported and advocated for investing state revenue with a long-term focus on data-driven
• Most notably by directing funds towards infrastructure investments and reducing long-term liabilities
• Towards addressing the state's long-term water infrastructure challenges.
• With Texas 2036 principles, budget decisions should promote sustainable long-term growth.
• And stability for the state while avoiding long-term fiscal harm.

Bills: SB1 , HB500 , SB 1

Committee: House Appropriations

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, state budget, mental health funding, education funding, infrastructure improvements, public safety, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• designed to prevent independent closures, narrow payment disparities, standardize rates, and control long-term
• And that raises a serious flag when you get, you've delayed care for so long, you've denied care over
• and over and over again. ...for so long, you've denied care over and over and over again.
• Well, when you have something that's created in a lab, we don't know the long-term health effects since
• Am I Well, when you have something that's created in a lab, we don't know the long-term health effects

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Summary: The committee met on April 1 and considered several health-related bills and one resolution. HB 933, by Rep. Charles Owen, would create commemorative birth certificates and adjust vital records fees; after adopting a technical amendment, the committee reported the bill favorably. HB 288, by Rep. Boyer, would require the term “miscarriage” to appear alongside “spontaneous abortion” in medical documentation and billing; after an amendment changed the bill from mandatory “shall” language to permissive “may,” the committee heard emotional testimony both in support and opposition and then reported the bill favorably as amended. HB 420, by Rep. Berault, would require criminal background checks and registry review for all DCFS employees, not just those with direct contact with children; it was reported favorably. The committee also voluntarily deferred HB 927 and HB 962. The committee then heard HB 971, by Rep. Stagney, which seeks to equalize Medicaid reimbursement rates for independent rural health clinics and hospital-owned provider-based clinics. Supporters, including clinic owners and practitioners, testified that independent clinics provide the same services under the same rules but receive far lower reimbursement, making it difficult to retain staff and avoid sale to hospital systems. The author said the bill is intended to prompt discussion and eventual parity without harming hospitals, and the committee reported the bill favorably. HB 815, by Rep. Carver, would allow federally insured financial institutions to receive death certificate information from vital records to reduce losses and help reconcile account issues after a death; credit union representatives supported the measure, and it was reported favorably. The committee also adopted HR 74, by Rep. Sterling, which urges the Department of Education and local school authorities to report on how schools accommodate students with seizure disorders. Sterling described personal experience with epilepsy and said the resolution is meant to gather data on implementation of existing seizure action plan law and identify gaps in access to rescue medication and training. Finally, the committee took up HB 915, by Rep. Dickerson, which would place Medicaid prior authorization and utilization management timelines into statute. After technical and substantive amendments, including changing some deadlines from five business days to seven calendar days, the bill drew support from providers and health groups concerned about delays in care, and the committee reported it favorably as amended. The committee also began consideration of HB 944, by Rep. Hilferty, creating a women’s consortium within LDH focused on menopause and related women’s health issues; technical amendments were adopted and testimony emphasized coordination of existing research and resources, but the transcript cuts off before final action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• We know we have to not do a Band-Aid, but have something that's lasting and that's long-term and that's
• and that is going to be long-term and that is going to be reasonable<00:02:59.640><c> and</c><00:02:
• </c> however we do need a long-term however we do need a long-term sustainable<00:10:34.560><c> funding
• North Memorial Health is a nonprofit health care system that operates hospitals in Robbinsdale and Maple
• I think we all acknowledge that we have an issue for trying to have a solution that's long-term, that's

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The committee took up House File 337, a bill addressing long-term funding for rural and Greater Minnesota EMS and ambulance services. The author offered the A2 amendment, moved to divide it, and the committee adopted lines 1.2 to 1.19 of the amendment. The bill, as amended, was described as creating a policy framework for identifying ambulance services with operating deficits, requiring financial audits, and setting up a future grant program, with the author emphasizing that the proposal was still being developed and was intended to be a long-term solution rather than a short-term fix. Testimony was largely supportive. Eric Simonson of the Coalition of Greater Minnesota Cities said the bill builds on last session’s one-time aid and would target grant dollars using state data, clarify eligible uses, allow audits, address uncompensated care and readiness costs, and require reporting back to the legislature. Mike Warner of the Red Wing Fire Department said his city’s ambulance service operates with a heavy government-funded payer mix and a persistent operating shortfall. Tim Meyer of Sanford Ambulance said low-volume rural services face widening revenue gaps, staffing pressures, and the loss of the volunteer model. Nathan Zacharias of the Association of Minnesota Counties and Kevin Lee of North Memorial Health also supported the bill, citing rising costs, staffing shortages, stagnant reimbursement, and the need for a sustainable statewide funding model. Members raised concerns about how the bill would work in practice, especially around communities that straddle metro and non-metro boundaries and around local control over grant dollars. Representative Pel asked how the eligibility language would apply to places like Northfield and New Prague; the author and a testifier said eligibility would depend on whether a service area is mostly outside the metro area, but acknowledged more review was needed. Representative Huitt argued the bill should give more local control and should address EMS as a statewide issue, not only a Greater Minnesota issue. Representative Ryer asked whether the bill would eventually include revenue recapture or another funding source, and the author said the proposal was still at an early stage and all options were being considered. The committee laid HF 337, as amended, over for possible inclusion in the omnibus bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the January 23rd Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee.
• And seeing none, very pleased to welcome the prime sponsor to the Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee
• This bill would abruptly dismantle an already safe, evidence-based system of care.
• pets and families together long-term.
• Thank you so much, Chair Cleveland, and members of the Senate Health and Long-Term Care Committee.

Summary: The committee first heard Senate Bill 5899, which would create a chiropractic license endorsement allowing qualified chiropractors to perform chiropractic diagnosis and adjustments on non-human animals. The sponsor described it as a complementary tool to veterinary care, especially in rural areas with limited access to veterinarians. Testimony was mixed: supporters said the bill would expand access to animal chiropractic with training, certification, and veterinary referral to non-chiropractic issues, while opponents from the veterinary community warned about animal and public safety, disease detection, and the lack of a required veterinary referral. The hearing on SB 5899 was suspended and later reopened; testimony concluded with strong support from animal chiropractic practitioners and opposition from veterinarians, and the committee noted 57 signed in pro, 4 con, and 1 other. The committee then held a work session on dental workforce shortages. Presenters from the CORA Foundation, the University of Washington Center for Health Workforce Studies, tribal dental programs, and the Washington State Dental Association described major access gaps, especially for Apple Health enrollees, rural communities, and communities of color. They highlighted low preventive-care utilization, high rates of untreated decay, workforce vacancies for hygienists and assistants, and the value of career ladders such as community health aides and proposed oral preventive assistants. Several speakers emphasized that training pathways, retention, and sustained Medicaid reimbursement are key to improving access and keeping providers in the system. Senate Bill 6138, requiring a multi-provider system for dental procedures performed under deep sedation, drew testimony centered on patient safety after recent deaths in dental settings. The sponsor said the bill responds to a pattern of tragic incidents and would ensure one person is dedicated to monitoring sedation. Supporters from anesthesiology and some oral surgery groups backed stronger monitoring requirements, while oral surgeons and dental representatives argued the current rules already require multiple trained personnel and that the bill could reduce access and increase costs, especially in rural and Medicaid-serving practices. The committee then heard Senate Bill 6072, which would update veterinarian-client-patient relationship rules to allow telemedicine-based relationships and limited telehealth services; animal welfare and veterinary telehealth advocates supported it as an access-to-care measure, while the veterinary association sought clearer guardrails and federal-law language. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 6094 on pediatric transitional care services, which would create a Medicaid payment pathway and related program changes for residential care for substance-exposed infants; supporters said the model helps infants and parents, improves outcomes, and is financially unsustainable under current funding, and the hearing began with testimony in favor before time expired.

Transcript Highlights:

• outcomes, lower our Medicaid expenses over, I think, a short term, including a long term and give us
• , I think a short term, including a long<00:02:50.560><c> term</c><00:02:51.760><c> and</c><00:02:52.480
• term and give us greater access and long term and give us greater access and greater<00:02:53.840><c
• care."
• systems that are not actually going towards direct patient care, this would be beyond awesome.

Keywords: 26RS SB 38 Testimony 00:28 26RS SB 38 Roll Call Vote 06:54 26RS SCR 9 Testimony 11:06 26RS SCR 9 Roll Call Vote 32:00 Adjournment 32:49, 958, all

Summary: The committee first considered Senate Bill 38, sponsored by Sen. Richardson, which would require Medicaid to reimburse pharmacists for services already within their legal scope of practice. Richardson and Taylor Williams of the Kentucky Pharmacists Association argued the bill would improve access to care, especially in rural areas, reduce emergency room use, and lower Medicaid costs by using pharmacists as lower-cost providers. Members asked whether the bill’s language simply aligned Medicaid with an earlier commercial parity law, and Richardson confirmed that it did. He also cited prior study work, research articles, and examples such as strep/flu testing and medication therapy management as covered services. The bill passed unanimously, and several members commented in support, including concerns about pharmacy access and the need for pharmacists to remain available to patients. The committee then took up a concurrent resolution sponsored by Sen. Meredith calling for a feasibility study of a proposed new Medicaid delivery model. Meredith argued that Kentucky’s Medicaid spending is growing unsustainably and that current managed care arrangements are not improving outcomes enough. He proposed an accountable community health care organization, described as a locally owned, not-for-profit public-private partnership combining elements of accountable care models, with the goal of reducing bureaucracy, improving outcomes, and lowering costs. He said the study would examine a five-year program and ultimately test the model in five regions, with initial focus on the Lincoln Trail, Green River, and Barren River area development districts. Members asked about the study timeline, vendor costs, rural versus urban impacts, and provider recruitment; Meredith said the resolution would be studied by November and that no fiscal note had been prepared. The resolution passed unanimously.

Transcript Highlights:

• justice system to evaluate whether a child suffers from substance use disorder.
• could provide this kind of treatment in our corrections facilities, regardless of their detention or long-term
• We use the DOH and other community providers as our referral system.
• How long is it for? Two questions, Mr. Chair, Senator Trill.
• of care.

Transcript Highlights:

• Even in the general health care system, I think we all know that it's really difficult to navigate the
• They're dealing with whatever the state system is.
• So that is part of our health care coordination.
• under the Aging Long-Term Health Care Authority and Department of Health. ...to the medical care under
• the Aging Long-Term Health Care Authority and Department of Health, who we worked very closely with.

Keywords: 996, all

Summary: The House Labor, Veterans, and Military Affairs Committee met with a quorum and heard two bills from Representative Martinez. House Bill 56 would appropriate $1 million to the Department of Veterans Services to expand behavioral health and suicide prevention efforts for veterans. Supporters, including the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce, the Department of Veterans Services, the Disability Coalition, New Mexico Professional Firefighters, the New Mexico Veterans and Military Families Caucus, and NAMI New Mexico, said the funding would help veterans navigate a difficult system, improve outreach in rural areas, and address New Mexico’s high veteran suicide rate and related alcohol and drug deaths. Committee members asked about whether the program was new or an expansion of an existing effort, how services would be delivered, and whether outreach would reach homeless and rural veterans. The secretary explained that the bill would augment an existing Suicide Prevention Act program, use contracts with outside providers rather than direct services, and require two term employees for contract management and outreach. The committee voted 7-1 to give HB 56 a due pass and send it to the next committee. The committee then heard House Bill 55, which would create an income tax deduction for retirement income earned by first responders, similar to an existing benefit for military retirees. Supporters argued it would help recruit and retain firefighters, law enforcement, and other first responders, and could encourage retirees to move to New Mexico and contribute economically. Several members raised concerns about the fiscal impact, the lack of a sunset, the narrow definition of first responder, and Taxation and Revenue Department concerns that the bill could reduce general fund revenue by about $6.1 million in the first year and might not attract retirees on its own. The sponsor said he had not yet met with Tax and Rev but would do so, and noted he was open to a sunset if it helped the bill move forward. Despite concerns, the committee voted 7-1 to pass HB 55 to the next committee, with members explaining their votes and emphasizing that the bill would receive further vetting in Tax and Revenue.