Transcript Highlights:

• And um the number of prescriptions.
• intense, they give you a prescription intense, they give you a prescription and<01:06:42.880>
• appropriate nonopioid prescription drug. appropriate nonopioid prescription drug.
• <01:33:51.280> prescription.
• prescript prescription. prescript prescription.

Keywords: 981, all

Summary: The Senate convened with a quorum, approved the previous day’s journal, and received a long list of bill status reports and enrollments. It also introduced Senate Bill 168, concerning reporting of money handled by legislative caucuses, and Senate Bill 169, a non-substantive revision bill for the Colorado Revised Statutes. The chamber then agreed to proceed out of order for moments of personal privilege and recognized the Denver and Colorado Springs chapters of The Links, Incorporated for Lynx Day at the Capitol. The Senate next took up a special-order consent calendar containing House Bill 1110, Senate Bill 78, and Senate Bill 151. All three committee reports and the bills themselves were adopted without objection, and the Committee of the Whole report was later adopted by a 35-0 vote. As reported, Senate Bill 78 was amended, Senate Bill 151 passed second reading and was ordered engrossed, and House Bill 1110 was amended, passed second reading, and ordered revised for third reading and final passage. The chamber then moved to special orders on Senate Bill 6 and Senate Bill 15, and the transcript focuses mainly on Senate Bill 6, which would require health insurers to offer at least one non-opioid pain medication option. Supporters argued the bill would expand access to safer pain-management alternatives, reduce opioid addiction, and encourage innovation; several members shared personal or professional experiences with opioid harms. Opponents argued the bill would mandate newer, more expensive drugs when less costly alternatives already exist and could raise health care costs. The debate continued in the excerpt, but no final vote on Senate Bill 6 is shown here.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's over 50 days for a prescription.
• That's over 50 days for a prescription.
• Because we have prescriptions now that might be $10,000.
• New prescriptions exceeding seven days.
• New prescriptions exceeding seven days.

Bills: HB282, HB293, HB390, HB456, HB460, HB561, HB819, HB1023, HB1047, HB1101

Keywords: employment discrimination, criminal history, rehabilitation, hiring process, human rights, gender identity, sexual orientation, workplace equality, labor rights, domestic abuse, unpaid leave, employee rights, workplace protection, mental health, survivor support, workers' compensation, employment benefits, claims process, fraud prevention, legal petition

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill expands condom access in schools and removes age barriers for non-prescription contraceptives
• “One of the underlying factors in this rising cost of health care is the cost of prescription drugs,
• They have that ability to then go into that patient’s chart, write a new prescription, and say do not
• overall health care system is around prescriptions and the distribution of those.
• overall health care system is around prescriptions and the distribution of those.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee heard several measures, beginning with SB 331 by Sen. Menjivar, which would require large-group health plans to cover hearing aids for children. The author and supporters described the bill as a long-running effort to address a developmental emergency and reduce out-of-pocket costs for families, while opponents were absent. Testimony from parents, advocates, medical experts, and organizations emphasized the importance of early access to hearing aids; committee members voiced strong support, and the bill was moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations, with several members requesting to be added as coauthors. The committee then heard SB 608, also by Sen. Menjivar, to expand access to condoms in school-based health centers and related settings and to prevent barriers such as ID checks. Supporters, including students and school health advocates, argued the bill would improve sexual health and reduce stigma, while opponents from family and faith groups argued it would undermine parental authority and normalize early sexual activity. The bill was supported by committee members and moved forward on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. Next, SB 971 by Sen. Choi proposed community-based healthy aging partnerships for older adults, with testimony from the California Senior Legislature and supporters from aging and dementia organizations. The measure was described as voluntary and focused on connection, independence, and local collaboration; there was no opposition, and the committee moved it on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. The committee also heard SB 869 by Sen. Weber Pierson, which would require warning icons and statements on chain restaurant menus for beverages with very high added sugar content. Supporters framed it as a transparency and public health measure, while restaurant and beverage industry representatives opposed it unless amended, citing cost and menu-space concerns; the bill was nevertheless moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations after a roll call vote, with some members voting no and the measure placed on call. The committee also considered SB 950 by Sen. Weber Pierson, aimed at ensuring timely coverage of FDA-approved, medically necessary treatments for early-onset Alzheimer’s disease on commercial plans. Supporters, including the Alzheimer’s Association and a patient advocate, said the bill would reduce delays and barriers to care, while health plan representatives opposed it over step therapy and utilization-management concerns. Members discussed the limited treatment window and the need for early access, and the bill was moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. In addition, SB 490 by Sen. Umberg would set timelines for DHCS investigations of unlicensed sober living homes and allow counties to assist if the department cannot act in time; supporters from Anaheim and a patient-brokering survivor described serious abuse and oversight gaps, while county behavioral health representatives opposed the county role as an unfunded and potentially liability-creating burden. After discussion, the bill was also moved on a do-pass basis to Appropriations. Finally, the committee began hearing SB 1037 by Sen. Weber Pierson on health insurance affordability and rate review, with supporters arguing it would tie premium increases more closely to affordability targets and public reporting; the transcript cuts off before the committee completed action on that measure.

Transcript Highlights:

• Prescription drugs are life-changing and often life-saving.
• <00:41:28.440> is prescription is prescription is for<00:41:31.000> senat<00:41:31.319>
• :11.000> prescription<00:49:11.520> drugs<00:49:12.079> currently agree that prescription
• Today, about 90% of all prescription drugs dispensed are generic drugs.
• About 90% of all prescription drugs dispensed are generic drugs.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Page 2 covers the administration of prescriptions, counseling, and assessing the patient. >> Yes.
• Page two covers the administration of prescriptions, counseling, and assessing the patient and prescribing
• from more than one doctor prescription from more than one doctor and<00:08:15.199> they're<00
• <00:08:30.639> Is<00:08:30.800> that<00:08:30.960> what getting a prescription
• Is that what getting a prescription.

Bills: SF0121

Keywords: pharmacy, collaborative care, healthcare, prescriptions, patient safety, Wyoming Pharmacy Act, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And if you recall, the parameters for using the injectable versus the topical is that the prescription
• Um, and again, just for the committee's sake, oftentimes these are prescriptions that are delivered in
• would be recorded in the prescription would be recorded in the prescription drug<00:11:29.040>
• <00:12:00.000> for<00:12:00.160> an prescribe for a the prescriptions for an prescribe
• for a the prescriptions for an injectable<00:12:00.800> androgen<00:12:01.279> prescribed<

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Campbell, you know this . . . it could be something 257 Again, there are several prescriptives.
• medicines covered in the bill do require a physician's prescription.
• The school district is skirting the prescription restriction by sending anybody who needs an OTC med
• Next is prescription access.
• This puts an unnecessary burden on parents' time and resources trying to obtain that prescription.

Bills: SB207, SB611, SB920, SB1174, SB1207, SB1325, SB1396, SB1551, SB1619

Keywords: SB 207, Texas Education Code, public school attendance, excused absence, mental health appointment, mental health care, behavioral health, school district, student absenteeism, same-day return, health care professionals, physician certification, religious holy days, court appearance, DFPS, foster care, education policy, student wellness, school mental health, attendance policy

Transcript Highlights:

• It allows them for the independent practice that we're after here, the prescriptive authority that they
• OK, so we will go to Senate Bill 122 as amended, expand the prescription drug donation program, and um
• prescription drug waste by expanding the applicability of the state's prescription drug donation Program
• It also permits in-state and out-of-state pharmacies experienced in managing donated prescription drugs
• I mean, this is a great bill, it's so needed because so many people don't use their prescriptions, but

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:06:36.440> she she received from the prescription she she received from the prescription
• And so I just think we're getting just a little bit too prescriptive.
• And so I just think we're getting just a little bit too prescriptive.
• And so I just think we're getting just a little bit too prescriptive.
• <00:53:54.160> we've little bit too prescriptive we've little bit too prescriptive we've identified

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we all know that laws... reflective of the way a prescription is reflective of the way a prescription
• They have full prescriptive authority.
• , prescription coupons, but there are a new class of prescription discount cards that are out there.
• how critical affordable prescription how critical affordable prescription drugs<01:24:59.840>
• <01:25:29.199> at half, or leave needed prescriptions at half, or leave needed prescriptions

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• -15 and a new subsection to Section 43-48-03 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the prescriptive
• Section 3, page 10, subsection 1H, requires the pharmacist to communicate any test results and prescription
• Expanding limited prescriptive and diagnostic authority for pharmacists allows us to better use an existing
• In closing, empowering pharmacists with limited prescriptive and diagnostic authority is a practical,
• In closing, empowering pharmacists with limited prescriptive and diagnostic authority is a practical,

Bills: HB1621, HB1624, HB1623, HB1622, HB1625, HB1626, HB1627, HCR3038

Keywords: presidential physical fitness test, physical education, fitness assessment, student fitness, school curriculum, graduation requirements, elementary school, middle school, high school, public schools, nonpublic schools, superintendent of public instruction, exceptions, disability accommodations, North Dakota studies, computer science, cybersecurity, health education, concept-based fitness class, school standards

Summary: The North Dakota House convened in special session with prayer, roll call, and a quorum present, then took up several rural health-related bills. Senate Bill 2401, as amended, required physicians to complete one hour of continuing education in nutrition and metabolic health each renewal cycle and also added language allowing criminal history background checks for the Board of Occupational Therapy Practice. Supporters emphasized the role of nutrition in reducing chronic disease, and the bill passed 92-0. The House then considered Senate Bill 2402, which expanded pharmacists’ limited prescriptive and therapeutic substitution authority for certain low-acuity conditions and clarified related lab-test and communication requirements. Members discussed examples such as motion sickness, cold sores, lice, hypoglycemia, COVID and flu testing, emergency access to medications and supplies, and limits excluding certain drug classes; the bill passed 91-1. Senate Bill 2403 created a temporary medical facility emergency operating loan option through the Bank of North Dakota for qualifying rural hospitals facing severe financial distress, with extensive debate over the targeted nature of the aid, anti-gifting concerns, repayment terms, and the hospital’s turnaround plan; it passed 80-12. Senate Bill 2404 appropriated funds for NDIT to address federal digital accessibility requirements and for the Public Service Commission’s litigation efforts related to transmission costs, with a backup loan authorization available if needed; it passed 92-0. At the close of the session, leaders thanked members and staff for their work on the rural health transformation package, a committee notified the Governor and the Senate that the House had completed its business, absent members were excused, and the House adjourned sine die.

Transcript Highlights:

• Patients need access to affordable prescriptions.
• One solution to high prescription costs are monthly fee-based membership discount programs.
• However, monthly membership prescription prices differ from standard prices.
• At the same time, older Americans are struggling with rise in prescription drug costs.
• Similarly, subscribers were 29% more likely to refill their prescription. their medications.

Bills: HB741, HB 1199, HB2070, HB2402, HB2542, HB2665, HB2789, HB3096, HB3396, HB3595, HB3747, HB4116, HB4127

Keywords: child welfare, relative caregiver, monetary assistance, Department of Family and Protective Services, child custody, family law, emergency power, nursing facilities, assisted living, generator requirements, health and safety, emergency generators, power outage, emergency generator, assisted living facilities, power source, child abuse, neglect registry, court findings, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• one question and my concern with this bill has to do with the patient's ability to get a paper prescription
• under this bill, will the physician be able to give me a paper prescription?
• I could not have a paper prescription. >> You're recognized. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• So does this bill would require every single doctor to have to to issue electronic prescriptions.
• You don't you may not have the ability to transmit electronic prescription.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then three, the health insurer shall provide the branded prescription drug.
• And three, the health insurer shall provide the branded prescription drug cost-sharing amount and the
• Woodard with Prescriptions To Go are all in support and willing to provide information.
• Independent pharmacies have been dispensing prescriptions at a loss while waiting on this fix.
• Joy going to pay about $100 more per year per prescription? And he said yes. Okay.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Insurance met on May 6, 2026, and first reported HB 1241 favorably. That bill, by Chairman Furman, requires insurers to check with DCFS before paying certain insurance settlements to determine whether the recipient owes delinquent child support, and to withhold and remit arrears if found. DCFS explained that Louisiana already has intercepts and other collection tools, but no current mechanism for insurance settlements. Senators raised concerns about notice to obligors and about liability if insurers fail to withhold, but the bill was advanced without objection. The committee then heard HB 870, which would require health insurers and PBMs to cover lower-cost generic or biosimilar drugs when available and to use utilization management no more restrictively on those drugs. Supporters said the bill would improve access and lower patient costs by using wholesale acquisition cost as the comparison point. Opponents, including Louisiana Blue and the AFL-CIO, argued that WAC ignores rebates and net cost, could force plans to cover higher-cost biosimilars first, and could increase premiums and disrupt ERISA and fully insured plan design. The committee adopted a technical amendment set and then a second amendment set that added notice and reporting requirements tied to net cost calculations, and HB 870 was reported favorably as amended. Several other bills were moved with little or no opposition. HB 1176, concerning Medicare Advantage coverage for integrative cancer treatments such as cold cap therapy, cryotherapy, and acupuncture, was amended to change the effective date and then reported favorably. HB 1196, dealing with colorectal cancer screening follow-up colonoscopies, was also amended and reported favorably. HB 1162, a consumer protection bill requiring DOI to verify that a contractor named on a first-party property damage check is licensed in Louisiana, was amended and reported favorably. HB 826, which modernizes insurance referral rules to allow referrals by email or website address, was reported favorably. The committee also heard HB 1151 on insurer investment limits and solvency protections, and HB 1236 on pharmacy reimbursement and copay maximizer programs; both drew substantial testimony and concern, especially over retroactivity, PBM cost allocation, and whether copay maximizers shift costs to patients, but the transcript cuts off before final action on HB 1236.

Transcript Highlights:

• Patty Southerland suffered a traumatic brain injury from a fall, and she was given a prescription for
• It took Patty six months to get an appointment with her neurologist to get an updated prescription.
• <00:33:58.000> that when she provided the prescription that when she provided the prescription
• > longer<00:34:00.159> valid that prescription was no longer valid that prescription was
• this was a waste of Patty's prescription this was a waste of Patty's time<00:34:19.679> the<00

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It doesn't create prescriptive authority; it just updates the pharmacy act so pharmacists can legally
• accept prescriptions.
• Chair, so just I mean specifically if an individual currently has an active prescription, is there a
• So, but that doesn't mean if they do have an active prescription from a prescribing doctor that should
• As a physician, we often would send prescriptions, and the ones that go off into the netherworld, we

Bills: HB3767, HB3934, HB4199, HB4336, HB2947, HB3834, HB4302, HB4095, HB3287, HB3649, HB4430, HB4431, HB2059, HB3647

Keywords: dentistry, licensing, dental hygiene, foreign-trained dentists, temporary license, public health, emergency response, child care, workforce, pilot program, affordable care, income eligibility, interventional pain management, pain management clinic, chronic pain, acute pain, spinal injections, epidural steroid injection, peripheral nerve block, nerve ablation

Transcript Highlights:

• , the prescriptions are Occasionally, the prescriptions are current<00:58:27.040> and<00:58:27.120
• Continuing to provide the same prescriptions at the same dosage risks inmate health.
• I kind of want to review how the prescription situation works for the average person.
• You get that prescription. You go to pick it up at the pharmacy.
• Um you you Um you get that prescription.

Bills: HF3547, HF3651, HF4043, HF4282, HF4095

Keywords: fireworks, public safety, regulation, tax revenue, local government, sale, safety standards, fire safety, ethanol, fuel equipment, compatibility standards, law enforcement, peace officer, unauthorized practice, criminal justice, civics education, jail medication, correctional facility, detention, incarcerated persons

Transcript Highlights:

• The negotiated rates and historical net prices for covered prescription drugs are included in those data
• Prescription drugs are included in those data sets as well. It's made available in two ways.
• Prescription drug price transparency. Prescription drug price transparency.
• The Prescription Drug Affordability Board's work is really an extension of some of the prescription drug
• In ingesting data, the board conducts affordability reviews for selected prescription drugs.

Summary: The committee began with an extended work session on the long-term care workforce. DSHS Assistant Secretary B. Rector described the new Home and Community Living Administration and outlined major workforce pressures: Washington had about 126,000 long-term care workers in 2022, with demand expected to outpace supply as the 85-plus population and dementia prevalence rise sharply. She emphasized that direct care workers are largely women, people of color, and immigrants, and that family caregivers are also a major part of the system. She highlighted recruitment and retention efforts funded through federal Money Follows the Person dollars, including high school training partnerships, a retention toolkit, transportation support, caregiver newsletters, tribal workforce navigators, and a remote caregiving pilot. Committee members asked about career pathways, technology use, and turnover drivers; Rector said wages, benefits, unstable hours, and workplace support are key issues and promised follow-up data. Aidan Swain of the Washington Health Care Association said skilled nursing and assisted living facilities face acute RN vacancies, wage pressures, and Medicaid reimbursement that does not cover costs, and urged modernization of training, better reimbursement, and continued support for facility-based care. Maddie Fouch of SEIU 775, representing about 55,000 caregivers, said low wages, weak benefits, lack of voice, and certification delays are driving turnover and shortages, and argued for higher compensation, better worker protections, and more transparent reimbursement. Catherine Smith of Behavioral Health Solutions described growing behavioral health needs in nursing homes, the role of expanded behavioral supports programs, and credentialing delays that slow hiring. No votes were taken; the panel was informational only. The second agenda item was an overview of the palliative care benefit work group report required by 2024 legislation. Nico Jansen of the Office of the Insurance Commissioner explained that the work group, convened with the Health Care Authority, studied a potential palliative care benefit for fully insured commercial plans and also Medicaid, PEBB, and SEBB. He said palliative care is a philosophy of care focused on symptom management, coordination, and support for serious illness, and is distinct from hospice because it can be provided alongside curative treatment. The actuarial analysis concluded that creating a new benefit would likely increase costs, estimating about a 28-cent per member per month increase overall and roughly $2.6 million to $4.5 million in annual state Medicaid costs if implemented in 2027. Jansen said the consultants did not find sufficient evidence to assume savings from avoided hospitalizations or long-term care, though several work group members disagreed and submitted response letters. Senators asked about other states, Medicare, health homes, and whether more research could clarify cost savings; OIC said some states, including Hawaii, are moving ahead with Medicaid palliative care benefits, Medicare covers some related services but not in the same way, and further evidence may emerge over time. OIC did not take a position on whether the Legislature should create the benefit. The final presentation covered health care price transparency tools in Washington and federally. Evan Klein and HCA Chief Data Officer Vishal Chaudry reviewed federal hospital and health plan transparency rules, the state all-payer claims database, prescription drug price transparency, the Health Care Cost Transparency Board, the Prescription Drug Affordability Board, and other reporting systems. They explained that the APCD contains claims from fully insured commercial plans, Medicaid, and public employee programs, but not self-insured employer data except for limited voluntary submissions. They also described how machine-readable files, consumer price tools, and aggregated dashboards are used, and noted that data limitations, delays, and complexity remain significant. Senators asked about voluntary self-insured participation, the role of AI in making data more usable, and whether transparency can really help consumers given access barriers and medical debt. HCA said AI is increasingly used by private entities to mine large transparency datasets, but state agencies still face limits in data access and analytic capacity. The committee did not take action; the session was informational and ended with a discussion of how transparency data might better inform policy and purchasing decisions in the future.

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes interpreting prescriptions, counseling patients, accessing patients to prescribe drugs
• This includes interpreting prescriptions, counseling patients, accessing patients to prescribe drugs
• prescriptions prescriptions as<00:16:12.720> the<00:16:12.959> practice<00:16:13.279><
• Is that something that this is giving pharmacists independent authority to then take the prescription
• <00:55:17.520> that practice act is fairly prescriptive that practice act is fairly prescriptive

Bills: HB0143, HB0129

Keywords: health care providers, free speech, discrimination, governmental agencies, civil remedies, physician access, internationally trained physicians, medical licensing, provisional license, healthcare workforce, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One would think that filling more prescriptions would mean more money.
• The average reimbursement for prescriptions in 2025 was $2.78.
• The average reimbursement for prescriptions in 2025 was $2.78.
• There's a reason that these prescriptions, these treatments require a prescription.
• There's a reason that these prescriptions, these treatments require a prescription.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 2433, which would require insurers offering Medicare supplement policies to people 65 and older to also offer them to Medicare beneficiaries under 65 with ALS or end-stage renal disease, with enrollment periods and premium protections tied to 65-year-old rates. Supporters, including dialysis and ALS advocates, said the bill would help a small population facing high out-of-pocket costs and could improve access to transplants and care; opponents argued it would shift costs onto older seniors and raise Medigap premiums. The committee recommended the bill do pass on a 12-0 vote. The committee also heard House Bill 2593, appropriating $1.5 million to the University of Arizona for the Arizona Perinatal Psychiatry Access Line. The sponsor and physicians testified that the line helps obstetric and pediatric providers quickly consult on perinatal depression, postpartum psychosis, suicidality, and other mental health crises, improving outcomes for mothers, children, and families and reducing costly emergency and crisis care. The bill received a do pass recommendation on a 10-1 vote. House Concurrent Resolution 2013, proclaiming June 2026 as Celebrate Life Month, drew emotional testimony from a young woman with spina bifida and another speaker supporting the sanctity of life. Some members objected that the state should focus on practical supports such as paid leave, child care, and health care access, while others supported the resolution as a statement of human dignity. The resolution passed the committee 7-5. The committee then approved House Bill 4010, creating a Board of Genetic Counselors and licensure standards, after testimony from genetic counselors and a patient advocate about the need for qualified counseling and better access; it passed 11-1. Later, the committee approved House Bill 2196, which would require pharmacy benefit managers to reimburse non-affiliated pharmacies at least their acquisition cost and pay a dispensing fee, and establish an appeals process. Independent pharmacists and their coalition said PBM practices are driving closures and unfairly favor affiliated pharmacies, while PBM and employer representatives warned of major cost increases and said the bill would interfere with private contracts; the bill passed 11-1. The committee also adopted a strike-everything amendment to House Bill 2182 requiring insurers and health plans to report claims denial and prior authorization data to DIFI, and then gave the amended bill a 12-0 do pass recommendation. Finally, the committee approved House Bill 2189, directing the Board of Nursing to update rules for licensed health aides and collect annual data, with the sponsor and board staff saying it would help implement routine ventilator care in the home; it passed 12-0. The committee then began hearing House Bill 2404, a strike-everything amendment on inter-facility transports for behavioral health patients, but the transcript cuts off before action on that bill.