Transcript Highlights:

• . >> GOOD MORNING I AM THE ASSISTANT APD SECRETARY FOR MEDICAID POLICY AND QUALITY FOR THE HEALTHCARE
• PREVENTION, PERFORMANCE, QUALITY MEASURES, AND INNOVATION.
• I DID HAVE QUESTIONS ON THE QUALITY MEASURES HERE.
• OR WHAT CBCS MAY ACCEPT AS QUALITY MEASURES?
• >> RIGHT NOW I WANT TO OR WHAT CBCS MAY ACCEPT AS QUALITY MEASURES?

Transcript Highlights:

• We have historic rainy day funds, and economic indicators still show growth here, outpacing the national
• We are going to invest in the things that make Minnesota ranked first in quality of life for our children
• <00:02:22.160> still<00:02:22.400> show<00:02:22.720> growth economic indicators
• Masked folks showing up not indicating who they are, and I want to thank the leaders and Chief O'Hara
• Masked folks showing up not indicating who they are, and I want to thank the leaders and Chief O'Hara

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The meeting centered on Minnesota’s budget outlook, with the governor and budget officials saying the state remains in a stronger fiscal position than expected despite national economic uncertainty. He emphasized that Minnesota has a surplus, historic rainy-day funds, and continued economic growth, and said the administration plans to continue budgeting over the horizon, using inflation assumptions and long-term planning to avoid abrupt cuts. He also defended last year’s budget compromises and said another budget proposal would be released early next year. A major theme was the governor’s criticism of President Trump and federal actions, which he said were creating economic chaos and harming Minnesotans. He condemned Trump’s comments about Somali Minnesotans and the state, called them racist and dangerous, and argued that elected officials should denounce such rhetoric. He also raised concerns about federal immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota, saying masked agents were causing fear and confusion and that state and local law enforcement lacked communication from federal authorities. The governor and commissioners also discussed fraud in state programs, saying the state has paused certain programs for 90 days and brought in independent forensic auditors to determine the scope of losses. He said the administration is using new stop-payment authority and referrals to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to prevent and prosecute fraud, while avoiding broad cuts to programs that help children, families, and vulnerable Minnesotans. In response to questions, he said the fraud total is not yet known, the audit should conclude around the end of January, and the state will use the findings to add safeguards and address program growth and health care cost pressures in the upcoming session.

Transcript Highlights:

• In closing, I would like to indicate that for many years, I've been asking for defibrillators.
• Just something that you have indicated on line 19 of the bill: it says the expenditure is only for 2026
• And that's the indication in terms of what the FIR and the bill also would indicate. Thank you.
• Chair, Senator Zell, in terms of that, as I've already indicated, it's going to be capital outlay, and
• One of the other people indicated concern about which groups might get left out, and when there's not

Transcript Highlights:

• violation system two a key indicator violation system two a key indicator system<00:04:01.599>
• One is key indicators.
• child care Basics training indicating child care Basics training indicating that<00:56:21.280>
• we know, based on real measures of quality, that that level of quality isn't anywhere near where it
• way of defining our highest quality way of defining our highest quality programs<01:41:36.800>

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Our superintendent association to have input and to develop quality programs and support that will not
• on our Zoom that wishes to speak speak in support of House Bill 157 (HB 157) as amended, please indicate
• time, ample time, and sustained mentorship, along with transparency around their quality.
• Folks on Zoom, if you wish to speak in support of House Bill 201, please indicate by raising your hand
• Those who wish to speak in support of House Bill 201, please indicate by raising your hand.

Transcript Highlights:

• LINE ON THAT SIDE AND THE GROWTH OF THE PN PROGRAMS INDICATED BY THE BLUE LINE ON THIS SLIDE.
• HERE YOU ARE LOOKING AT OUR INFLUX PASS RATES AND YOU CAN SEE INDICATED BY THE YELLOW LINE OUR US PASS
• DO YOU HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO ADMONISH- LIKE ARE YOU MONITORING WITH THE QUALITY OF THEIR EDUCATION IS
• OUR DIVISION OF MEDICAL QUALITY ASSURANCE AND OUR BOARD OF NURSING IDENTIFIES THE LICENSURE STATUS OF
• QUALITY NURSING CARE BEGINS WITH SCREENING, HIGH NURSING STANDARDS KEEP YOUR CITIZENS SAFE.

Transcript Highlights:

• Authorization for care is a tool that promotes safe, high-quality, and affordable care.
• Who are participating in the Workforce and Quality Incentive Program.
• It's a smart way to relieve administrative pressure without compromising safety or quality.
• It's a smart way to relieve administrative pressure without compromising safety or quality.
• The governor's veto message indicated his desire for a narrower proposal.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee met on April 22 and took up a special order of bills focused largely on prior authorization and utilization management in health care. The chair framed the discussion as part of a broader legislative effort to reduce delays and barriers to care, especially in behavioral health, chronic disease management, cancer treatment, and rehabilitation services. AB 384 by Assembly Member Connolly would prohibit prior authorization for inpatient mental health or substance use emergency admissions and related physician care; supporters said it would prevent dangerous delays in crisis care, while insurers and health plans warned about fraud, abuse, and ambiguity around residential treatment facilities. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended motion and passed the committee on a party-line style vote, with Republicans largely absent or not voting. The committee then heard AB 510 by Assembly Member Addis, which would require health plans, upon request, to provide a peer reviewer of the same or similar specialty when a treating provider appeals a prior authorization denial or modification. Supporters argued that specialty-matched review would make appeals fairer and more clinically informed; opponents said the requirement was too rigid and that timelines and electronic submission rules needed changes. After discussion about the need for timely, specialty-specific review, the bill was approved on a due pass as amended motion and placed on call. AB 539 by Assembly Member Schiavo would extend prior authorization approvals to one year or the duration of the physician’s prescribed treatment for chronic conditions; supporters cited repeated denials and treatment interruptions, while opponents raised concerns about overbreadth, fraud, and the need for shorter validity periods. The bill was also passed as amended and placed on call. The committee next considered AB 669 by Assembly Member Haney, which would bar concurrent and retrospective review for the first 28 days of medically necessary substance use disorder treatment and limit prior authorization for related outpatient medications. The bill was presented with a powerful personal story from Ryan Matlock’s mother about her son’s death after an insurer cut off treatment early; supporters said the measure would keep patients in care long enough to stabilize, while opponents argued it would reduce oversight and could allow lower-quality or non-evidence-based care. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended motion and placed on call. Finally, AB 512 by Assembly Member Harabedian would shorten prior authorization response times to 24 hours for urgent requests and 48 hours for non-urgent requests; supporters said delays can worsen outcomes, while opponents warned the timelines were unrealistic and could increase administrative burdens and safety issues. The bill was approved as amended and placed on call. AB 574 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez was then heard; it would allow up to 12 medically necessary physical therapy sessions for a new episode of care without prior authorization, with supporters emphasizing stroke and neurological recovery and opponents warning of reduced oversight and unnecessary care. The transcript ends during testimony on AB 574, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Category two is fee-for-service basically with quality bonuses.
• high-quality health care system.
• It's expensive, but it is high quality, right?
• We have a really robust quality council open to the public.
• And quality, yes. Like, it's distressing. It's so distressing in general.

Keywords: 962, all

Summary: The Complex Care Committee meeting focused first on a new Diabetes Caucus launched at the Capitol. Rep. Johnson described the caucus as a forum to educate people about type 1 and type 2 diabetes, genetic risk, early testing, pregnancy-related diabetes, and ways Medicaid policy might improve prevention and lower long-term costs. Members agreed the caucus could intersect with care management, and Carolyn Grandell of CHNCT offered to share information about current diabetes-related care management services at a future meeting. The committee then heard a detailed presentation from Alex Rigger of the Office of Health Strategy, who is moving to the Office of Policy and Management. He reviewed Connecticut health care benchmark data, including total health care expenditures, medical spending, and market-by-market trends. He said 2023 to 2024 per-capita spending grew more than 8.5% statewide and 14% in Medicaid, with long-term care accounting for about 46% of Medicaid spending and retail pharmacy also identified as a major cost driver. Members asked about enrollment changes, dual-eligible populations, Medicare Savings Program members, 340B drug pricing, and value-based payment models. Rigger explained that his office tracks alternate payment models and quality benchmarks, but does not separately capture 340B data. Discussion then shifted to Medicare Advantage, dual eligibles, and hospital discharge planning. Members said they want better data on how many Medicaid members are in Medicare Advantage plans and whether those plans shift costs back to Medicaid or affect access to care, especially for complex-care patients. Staff noted DSS does have some Medicare Advantage indicators and that CMS is developing encounter-data rules for states. Kathy Holt and others raised concerns about denials, nursing home stays, and the need to compare Medicaid spending for dual eligibles in Medicare Advantage versus traditional Medicare. The meeting ended with plans for follow-up data sharing, including Alex Rigger’s slides, the diabetes caucus materials, and a future discussion with DSS and other agencies; no formal votes were taken.

Transcript Highlights:

• to be included to have enough um quality to be included to have enough um quality report<00:08:17.759
• That indicates there's a relationship.
• That indicates there's a relationship.
• <01:05:27.760> That doesn't indicate causation. That doesn't indicate causation.
• <01:05:29.760> So indicates there's a relationship. So indicates there's a relationship.

Keywords: 958, all

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

Transcript Highlights:

• We hope to have that out probably in early April for service quality.
• You also are required to meet service quality standards.
• You also require to meet service quality standards.
• that those that have to file service quality reports.
• Rural areas, for example, cannot rely on wireless services and quality connections.

Summary: The committee held an informational hearing on Carrier of Last Resort (COLR) to examine its history, current operation, and possible future changes in California. Chair Tasha Berner said the hearing was prompted in part by AT&T’s 2023 request for relief from COLR obligations and by broader concerns about public safety, affordability, universal service, and access to modern broadband and telecommunications. The first panel featured a telecommunications expert who traced COLR back to universal service principles and explained how states have handled COLR differently, including full deregulation, limited rural obligations, or transition pathways tied to competition and customer protections. Members asked about affordability, federal and state processes for service withdrawal, and whether COLR remains necessary given modern competition. CPUC staff then described California’s COLR framework, explaining that universal service rests on access, reliability/quality, and affordability, and that COLR requires carriers to provide basic service, including voice-grade calling, 911 access, relay services, and Lifeline. Staff said AT&T’s application sought relief in nearly all of its territory, but no replacement COLR came forward during the proceeding, and public participation hearings drew thousands of comments and strong concern from rural and vulnerable customers. The CPUC outlined its ongoing rulemaking to reconsider whether the 1996 COLR rules and 2012 basic-service definition still fit current conditions, with workshops and public hearings scheduled and a proposed decision expected later in the year or into 2026. Members pressed staff on geographic outreach, wireless coverage, whether broadband can be part of basic service, public safety during wildfires, and what reporting and complaint processes currently exist. In the final panel, industry and public-interest witnesses sharply disagreed. A U.S. Telecom representative argued COLR is outdated, costly, and copper-focused, and said reform should allow technology-neutral alternatives such as wireless, fiber, and satellite while preserving reliable voice and emergency access. The CPUC Public Advocates Office countered that COLR remains a necessary public safeguard, especially for rural and low-income customers, and argued that any transition should maintain or improve service, with public benefits such as broadband investment and continued protections for 911, disability access, and affordability. Committee members focused on the difference between an obligation to serve everyone and a mere option to serve, and on whether the Legislature should provide clearer guidance as the CPUC’s rulemaking moves forward.

Transcript Highlights:

• of those quality payments, as well as the stakeholder work group and the provider quality scorecards
• of those quality payments, as well as the stakeholder work group and the provider quality scorecards
• of those quality payments, as well as the stakeholder work group and the provider quality scorecards
• of those quality payments, as well as the stakeholder work group and the provider quality scorecards
• > they<01:15:06.719> last Uh several indicated that they last Uh several indicated that

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board meeting began with a roll call and approval of the October 7 meeting minutes. The chair then reordered the agenda to hear the item on Medicaid reimbursement rates and network adequacy first because of scheduling issues. Dr. Steve Robertson of the Kentucky Dental Association was sworn in and testified at length about Kentucky’s dental Medicaid program, arguing that reimbursement rates are unsustainably low, have been largely flat for decades, and are often below the cost of providing care. He said Kentucky ranks near the bottom nationally in oral health, dental Medicaid rates are often 60% or less of commercial rates, and the program’s share of the Medicaid budget has effectively remained around 2% despite growth in enrollment and services. Dr. Robertson said the low rates are contributing to provider losses, rural access gaps, longer wait times, dental deserts, and greater use of emergency rooms for preventable dental problems. He cited examples of office costs exceeding reimbursement for basic procedures, noted that many dentists are small private businesses, and said the state is struggling to recruit and retain dentists because of low payment levels and high student debt. He also pointed to disparities with neighboring states and said recent increases in some oral surgery and cleaning codes were not enough to address the broader problem. His recommendations included completing the rebasing study, increasing dental reimbursement in the upcoming budget, tying future reviews to inflation and cost data, aligning benchmarks, and prioritizing preventive and restorative care to improve workforce stability and access. Board members asked about the size of the needed increase, the effect of private insurance on dental practice finances, and what a new dentist might expect to earn. Dr. Robertson said the association is working on an appropriations request and that private insurance pressures are part of the problem as well, since many plans are HMOs or PPOs with limited provider control over rates. He also said the association can no longer conduct reimbursement surveys because of FTC restrictions, but would try to obtain current ADA data. In response to questions about the future of the program, he warned that without significant changes it could become unsustainable and cited Ohio and Missouri as examples where higher reimbursement improved provider participation and access. The board then heard from Mr. Bowman of Baldwin Consulting, who discussed outpatient behavioral health providers, including ABA therapy and mental health/substance use disorder services. He said these providers face similar issues of rising costs, flat reimbursement, and access problems. He reviewed Kentucky’s network adequacy standards, including travel-time standards, 30-day appointment limits, and newer federal requirements that will require services within 10 business days by 2029. He said wait times for outpatient behavioral health, especially children’s services and ABA, have grown substantially, sometimes to more than a year, and emphasized that the Medicaid department must enforce these standards.

Transcript Highlights:

• and on line 16, the House offers a modification of the Senate's original language by adjusting the quality
• incentive program pool from 10% to 13.5% and adds language to put the quality score threshold to qualify
• for quality incentive payment at 33% of all available points in the Medicaid Quality Incentive Program
• The Senate bump offer is indicated under the column titled Senate bump offer 1.
• The shaded row numbers indicate a change from the Senate's original bill.

Summary: The conference committee on appropriations met on June 12, 2025 and exchanged offers on several budget areas, including Pre-K-12 education, Health and Human Services/health care, criminal and civil justice, administered funds, and transportation/tourism/economic development/infrastructure. The House announced acceptance of the Senate’s revisions on Pre-K-12 education budgets and projects, and the Senate accepted the House’s offers on several education and health care items, with no public testimony offered on those presentations. The House then explained its remaining offers, including a Pre-K-12 back-of-the-bill change, a health care package that added $10 million in non-recurring general revenue for intestinal transplant support and revised Medicaid quality incentive and other implementing-bill language, a modified criminal and civil justice position, and administered-funds changes tied to state employee pay, health insurance, debt reduction, and the budget stabilization fund. The Senate also presented bump offers on Pre-K-12 education (SB 2510), criminal and civil justice items including judge-conforming language and additional judgeships, and transportation/tourism/economic development items with supplemental attachments. No public testimony was taken on the offers. The chair noted that another conference meeting was likely not expected that evening, but more meetings could occur the next day, and the committee adjourned without objection.

Transcript Highlights:

• Uh, that's all the people who indicated they'd be here.
• Uh that's everybody who indicated you.
• We members indicated they would be here.
• That's everyone who indicated they were here.
• We indicated that they would be present.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• President. qualities, she is simply not adequately qualities, she is simply not adequately doing<00:41
• President, can I get an indication Mr.
• report, the member indicated report, the member indicated that One additional question.
• <01:01:18.200> of regarding the fairness or the quality of regarding the fairness or the quality
• exemplifies those qualities. exemplifies those qualities.

Keywords: 927, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I haven't gotten any indications that there would be any. It's really hard to say.
• I haven't gotten any indications that there would be any. It's really hard to say.
• So I don't have any indications, frankly, that it's going up or down at this point.
• Does the difference between those two numbers indicate that the quality of the complaints is better at
• This continuous improvement ensures a higher quality of representation.

Bills: SB 1

Keywords: campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Their analysis indicates the impact for Senate Bill 2241 cannot be determined.
• Quality and accountability is determined by the superintendent of public instruction through a review
• Senate Bill 2024 is a budget of the Department of Environmental Quality.
• of our air and quality of our surface water.
• of our air and quality of our surface water.

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The House convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. The chamber received notice that the governor had signed several bills, and the Speaker appointed conference committees after the Senate failed to concur with House amendments on Senate Bills 2180 and 2330. The House also approved several sixth-order amendments without objection before moving into reconsideration and final action on House Bill 1300, which concerns legislative term limits. After procedural motions to reconsider and undo concurrence, the House voted to do not concur on HB 1300, sending it back to the chair’s lap for further negotiation. A major portion of the meeting focused on Senate Bill 2232, which changes mandatory reporting rules for prenatal exposure to controlled substances and alcohol. Supporters said the bill is intended to keep pregnant women in prenatal care by removing an automatic CPS report if a woman tests positive but enters and stays on a treatment plan; opponents argued it weakens protections for unborn children and creates vague standards for mandated reporters. The House passed the bill 57-36. The chamber also passed Senate Bill 2280 unanimously, establishing timelines and standards for prior authorization in health insurance, and passed Senate Bill 2186, which creates a civil remedy for interference with court-ordered parenting time, a child custody review task force, and related reporting requirements. The House then took up Senate Bill 2239, an apprenticeship grant program with a $1.1 million appropriation, but rejected it 14-79 after the committee said the program lacked a clear administrative home. Senate Bill 2241, creating a framework for public charter schools, generated extensive debate over school choice, local control, funding, staffing, and rural impacts; supporters emphasized flexibility and community-driven options, while opponents warned about diversion of funds and weak guardrails. The bill passed 64-29. The House also passed Senate Bill 2024, the Department of Environmental Quality budget, after discussion about federal funding uncertainty; Senate Bill 2374, updating property insurance laws and market rules; Senate Bill 2216, creating a waterfowl habitat restoration stamp; Senate Bill 2245, allowing certain duck and goose hunting from anchored floating craft; and Senate Bill 233, establishing a distressed ambulance services process, which drew questions about how affected districts and neighboring services would be involved.

Transcript Highlights:

• Quality early childhood child care.
• It helps us retain quality staff.
• It helps us provide quality staff.
• <01:13:30.480> So including the quality activities. So including the quality activities.
• <02:13:24.159> So already for quality activities. So already for quality activities.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• These are all for programs and services that improve the quality of life for older Arkansans and adults
• This is for ongoing assessments of the quality of care provided through the trauma system.
• This is an amendment to an existing contract, and it is for continuing the quality services reviews of
• This is for external quality review. ...with Medical Services and QSource.
• This is for external quality review and to update the budget, scope, and performance indicators of this

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:

• <00:01:48.880> the which also included the quality the which also included the quality the
• quality learning center infamous quality learning center featured<00:01:52.079> in<00:01:52.240
• Um, there was another TV reporter who also covered the Quality Learning Center in January.
• There was no indication that there was, uh, you know, any sort of fraud going on.
• Thank you. no indication that there was, uh, you no indication that there was, uh, you know,<00:19:15.120

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:30:25.440> of to do with improving the quality of to do with improving the quality of
• Then I heard people indicator out.
• They all indicate when you go through those ed indicators one by one by one. >> And then we looked at—we
• those ed indicators one by one by one. those ed indicators one by one by one.
• look at new indicators. look at new indicators.

Keywords: 1136, house, all