Transcript Highlights:

• HHS-OIG found that CMS is not correctly reviewing. Medicaid plans for parity compliance.

Bills: HB201, HB272, HB618, HB 1094, HB 1142, HB201, HB272

Keywords: financial crime, card fraud, motor fuel theft, law enforcement, criminal activity, skimmers, prevention, training, credit card fraud, debit card fraud, prosecution, illegal possession, state law, HB 618, Texas insurance code, IVF, in vitro fertilization, fertility treatment, infertility coverage, government employee health benefits

Transcript Highlights:

• And this is the first one for HHS, but this has been around since 2018, and it's especially special today

Bills: SB 25, SB 314

Keywords: nutrition, health standards, food labeling, education, dietary guidelines, medical education, food safety, school meals, child nutrition, food additives, public health

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, I have not reached out to HHS. I can do that, but it's a small number.
• Um, I have not reached out to HHS. I can do that, but it's a small number.
• Um, I have not reached out to HHS. I can do that, but it's a small number.
• Um, I have not reached out to HHS. I can do that, but it's a small number.
• Um, I have not reached out to HHS. I can do that, but it's a small number.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Yeah, uh, I'm new to this committee this year, to HHS in the Senate, but when I was in the other body
• I was on HHS for quite a while.
• Yeah, uh, I'm new to this committee this year, to HHS in the Senate, but when I was in the other body
• I was on HHS for quite a while.
• I was on HHS for quite a while.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• According to the New Hampshire DHS/HHS site, the number of suicides decreased in 2023.
• According to the New Hampshire DHS/HHS site, the number of suicides decreased in 2023.
• According to the New Hampshire DHS/HHS site, the number of suicides decreased in 2023.
• According to the New Hampshire DHS/HHS site, the number of suicides decreased in 2023.
• According to the New Hampshire DHS/HHS site, the number of suicides decreased in 2023.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• chair of Division Three for the last two budgets, now going on three, and had also been a member of HHS
• <00:59:55.359> oversight been a member of HHS oversight been a member of HHS oversight and
• Their role is to ensure equitable access to high-quality HHS programs and services for all populations
• quality the HHS programs and services<01:05:36.079> for<01:05:36.359> all<01:05:36.720
• somewhat and since then the HHS somewhat and since then the HHS department<02:12:29.159> has<

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, and I, you know, in State Gov, in HHS, and I would like us to get back to that about what's happening
• ><00:56:17.480> in Um and I, you know, in State Gov, in Um and I, you know, in State Gov, in HHS
• <00:56:20.359> to<00:56:20.600> get<00:56:20.880> back<00:56:21.280> to HHS
• , and I would like us to get back to HHS, and I would like us to get back to that<00:56:22.400> um

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Fortunately, we have been in communication with HHS as well and previewed some of our considered legislation
• fortunately we have been in<01:09:03.839> communication<01:09:04.400> with<01:09:04.719> HHS
• c><01:09:05.440> as<01:09:05.679> well<01:09:06.319> and in communication with HHS
• as well and in communication with HHS as well and previewed<01:09:07.359> some<01:09:07.679><

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee approved the minutes unanimously and then heard extended testimony from Senator Jimmy Higdon, who reflected on Kentucky’s 2011 childhood obesity task force and said the state’s childhood obesity problem has worsened since then. He described prior recommendations from that task force, including more physical education, nutrition education, classroom-based physical activity, complete streets, bike lanes, sidewalks, and safe routes to school. Higdon also argued that government programs have contributed to obesity and drug abuse, focusing especially on SNAP and Medicaid, and said he has long advocated for a waiver to distribute SNAP benefits twice a month rather than once a month. Higdon said SNAP fraud and abuse are significant, claiming some recipients sell benefits and some retailers bend the rules on eligible purchases. He also said spreading benefits through the month could help families keep fresh food in the home and stabilize grocery store business, especially in food deserts and rural areas. In response to questions, he said he would not support allowing hot prepared foods under SNAP, though he said a grocery-store produce incentive similar to the farmers market match could be beneficial if structured separately. He also said the WIC program is a model for how SNAP could be better administered. Members thanked Higdon for his service and discussed whether the issue is food insecurity or poor nutrition. Senator Douglas emphasized adding stronger guardrails to nutrition-related programs, and Representative Proctor asked about the challenges of operating grocery stores in rural areas and food deserts. Higdon said independent grocers face thin margins, competition, and cyclical market pressures, and that SNAP distribution patterns can worsen those challenges. After Higdon’s testimony, the committee heard from Ann Cressilious, a registered dietitian with the Kentucky Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics, who began a presentation on the profession and on efforts to improve nutrition and access to nutrition information in Kentucky.

Transcript Highlights:

• But that is the time period that the Inspector General for HHS directed us to review. and at least one
• the inspector is the time period that the inspector general<01:30:49.760> for<01:30:49.920> HHS
• <01:30:50.960> directed<01:30:51.280> us general for HHS directed us general for HHS

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:

• I am grateful to be before this committee and greatly appreciate your efforts to draft this HHS budget
• efforts<00:52:49.119> to<00:52:49.359> draft<00:52:49.760> this<00:52:50.240> HHS
• <00:52:52.559> I efforts to draft this HHS budget bill.
• I efforts to draft this HHS budget bill.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• You are, of course, correct, members of HHS and EA. Kind of a long title for the record.
• You are, of course, correct, members of HHS and EA. Kind of a long title for the record.
• Right now, this is the only report that I have to HHS oversight that's a required legislative report.
• Right now, this is the only report that I have to HHS oversight that's a required legislative report.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• To fund a $600,000 cost shift would require an increase in the HHS levy of about 15%.
• To fund a $600,000 cost shift would require an increase in the HHS levy of about 15%.
• To fund a $600,000 cost shift would require an increase in the HHS levy of about 15%. $600,000 cost shift
• would require an increase in the HHS levy of about 15%.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• He said that for HHS, they have purview over many things, and they would get a report for the agencies
• offered I'm glad that it wasn't uh but<00:43:23.440> so<00:43:23.760> for<00:43:24.040> HHS
• they<00:43:24.920> have<00:43:25.119> purview<00:43:25.559> over but so for HHS
• they have purview over but so for HHS they have purview over many<00:43:26.000> things<00:43:

Keywords: 1183, house

Summary: The committee met on February 11 and began with introductions from members and staff, who shared brief personal and district facts. Chair Jim Nash then outlined the committee’s goals for the session, emphasizing bipartisan cooperation, the need to address a looming structural deficit, and the committee’s role in moving legislation forward. The committee also reviewed its rules for the year. The main item was House File 3, authored by Chair Nash and referred to Ways and Means. The bill would require the Office of the Legislative Auditor to produce an annual report tracking whether agencies have implemented prior audit and evaluation recommendations, with the goal of improving internal controls, transparency, and accountability and helping legislators make funding decisions. Nash described the bill as a preventative measure to reduce waste, fraud, and abuse, and said it was modeled in part on practices used in Colorado. Legislative Auditor Judy Randall testified that the office already produces similar update reports but lacks resources to independently verify many agency responses; she said the bill would provide a framework for more regular reporting and discussion, not a “shame tool.” Ranna Lee of Americans for Prosperity testified in support, saying the bill would increase accountability and transparency for how public agencies manage taxpayer resources. A letter from the Minnesota Council on Nonprofits was also noted in support. Representative Clardy offered the A7 amendment to add an appropriation matching the fiscal note; Nash accepted it, saying savings could be found later in the process. The committee approved the A7 amendment by voice vote. During discussion, Representative Quam supported the bill’s focus on accountability, and Representative Freiberg questioned the Legislative Auditor about the office’s expertise on a specific ambulance-services recommendation in the report. Randall responded that the office’s staff are policy research generalists who use standards, best practices, interviews, surveys, and site visits to develop recommendations, and that the goal is to prompt further discussion rather than require blind acceptance. The transcript ends during that exchange, with no final committee vote on House File 3 shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• lot of extremely excited dentists not to call in with testimony, but there was a lot of testimony in HHS
• lot of extremely excited Dennis to not call in with testimony, but there was a lot of testimony in HHS

Bills: AB102, AB108, AB117, AB213, AB220, AB221, AB251, AB259, AB331, AB336, AB375, AB379, AB409, AB475, AB476, AB550, AB575, AB594, SB466

Keywords: emergency medical services, ambulance, licensing, health district, paramedic, training requirements, outdoor education, recreation, grant program, environment, funding, special license plates, vehicle registration, custom plates, state revenue, transportation, public works, prevailing wage, custom fabrication, nonstandard materials

Transcript Highlights:

• It's also, I just sort of question why the disproportionate impact, when you look at HHS and CDPH overall
• requirement under the new Behavioral Health Services Act, the Commission is required to consult with HHS

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health held an informational hearing on the Governor’s May Revision, focusing first on the Commission on Behavioral Health, then EMSA, and then the California Department of Public Health (CDPH). The Department of Finance said the state faces a third consecutive deficit and that the May Revision includes difficult trade-offs, including proposed eliminations or reversions of some behavioral health and public health funds. The LAO echoed concern about the structural deficit and said it was still awaiting some budget details before offering a full analysis. For the Commission on Behavioral Health, Finance proposed eliminating $20 million in Mental Health Wellness Act funds, arguing the money would help offset General Fund costs and noting future Proposition 1 innovation funding. The commission strongly opposed the cut, saying it would eliminate or delay launch-ready grants for early childhood supports, full-service partnerships, and peer respite, and would eventually end ongoing grant programming. Several advocates and commissioners testified that the funds support underserved communities and that Proposition 1 is not a substitute for the existing programs. The chair asked Finance to look for alternatives, but no vote was taken. EMSA presented mostly technical budget adjustments: increased authority for the California Poison Control System, a correction to EMSIS funding, and a reappropriation for enterprise services and data management. CDPH then reviewed a broader set of May Revision proposals, including reversions from the California Reducing Disparities Project, workforce development, STD prevention, hepatitis C prevention, hospice, and extreme heat funding, as well as a new generative AI pilot for health facility survey reporting. Members raised concerns about cuts to CRDP and gender health equity programs, especially because many grants are mid-contract and serve underserved communities; CDPH said the reversions were part of solving the deficit and that CRDP had been successful, while also clarifying that abortion.ca.gov would not be eliminated. Public comment was overwhelmingly opposed to the CRDP and related cuts, with many speakers describing the programs as life-saving and cost-effective. No formal votes or actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• HHS Inspector General found that in 2022 alone, UnitedHealth used these home visits to add about $2.3
• We pay doctors and hospitals to treat people when they're sick, if it's coded by HHS or CMS, what could

Keywords: Michael Falkender, Deputy Secretary of the Treasury, IRS, taxpayer privacy, nomination process, committee hearing

Summary: The committee convened to discuss critical issues surrounding the nomination of Michael Falkender for the position of Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. This meeting included a series of remarks from committee members who expressed divergent views on Falkender's qualifications and the implications of his appointment. Senator Wyden voiced strong opposition, arguing that Falkender represents harmful policies expected to be perpetuated under the current administration, especially concerning taxpayer privacy and IRS tactics. Meanwhile, other members defended Falkender, noting his extensive experience, including a commitment to transparency in government operations if confirmed.

Transcript Highlights:

• The money we get from federal, HHS, helps people with their electric bills. and then we use some of that
• So does it have the same income guidelines as HHS funding or is it a little more flexible?

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It’s not only HHS, but it’s also turned into DRRA and, for some reason, the attorney general’s office
• It’s not only HHS, but it’s also turned into DRRA and, for some reason, the attorney general’s office
• It's not only HHS agencies.
• It's not only HHS um<01:33:41.679> but<01:33:41.840> it's<01:33:42.159> also<01:
• the school board in Winnamro is... the process is controlled by some department, whether it's DOE or HHS

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At this time, I don't know what the long-term plan is through HHS.
• So it does depend on whether HHS has any sort of a need for that building in the future or not.
• So we will have that—whether it's HHS or OMB, whoever is taking that information and running with it—we'll

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• At this time, I don't know what the long-term plan is through HHS.
• And so it does depend on whether HHS has any sort of need for that building in the future or not.
• And so we will have that, whether it's HHS or OMB, whoever is taking that information and running with

Summary: The committee first received a general fund and revenue update from the Office of Management and Budget. Staff reported that the state started the biennium about $176 million above prior estimates, but year-to-date revenues were now running below legislative forecast, mainly due to lower individual income tax and sales tax collections. The budget stabilization fund was above its cap, the legacy fund continued to grow, and oil revenues were slightly above forecast overall. Members also asked about federal funding uncertainty and mineral leasing variability, and OMB said agencies would be asked to address potential federal reductions case by case during budget preparation. The committee then reviewed compliance reports and trust fund analysis materials, followed by a bill draft for a fixed-route city transportation grant program. Testimony from transit officials in Fargo and Minot supported the proposal, saying state aid would help match federal transit funds and support operations, but members raised questions about the funding source, fare structures, and whether the program should be limited to the current four fixed-route cities or allow future eligible cities. Several members asked for more time to study the formula and possible funding options before moving the bill forward. Next, the committee approved a bill draft repealing obsolete language related to a proposed North Dakota-South Dakota bi-state authority. Staff explained the provision had been unused for about 30 years and that existing law likely already allowed joint powers agreements without the specific language. The committee voted to adopt the repeal bill draft. The Department of Commerce and the Northern Plains UAS Test Site then provided an update on uncrewed aircraft system initiatives, including the Vantis radar data enclave, the drone replacement program, and future revenue models. Officials said North Dakota had received FAA approval to operate the radar data pathfinder, had begun replacing non-compliant drones from restricted foreign sources, and was working on phased procurement and cost-recovery plans. Members asked about deadlines, funding, supply-chain issues, and how the system would be used; staff said the federal restrictions were already in effect and that Vantis was being positioned as infrastructure for future beyond-visual-line-of-sight operations. Finally, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation presented on the design of a new minimum-security prison and on a reentry housing task force. The new facility is planned for the penitentiary grounds, with a reduced estimated cost of about $263 million, 600 beds initially, possible expansion to 732 beds, and completion projected around 2031 if funded in 2027. The reentry housing task force described a data-driven effort to identify housing needs for people leaving incarceration, with the goal of reducing homelessness and recidivism through targeted housing support and possible subsidies. Members asked about staffing, site selection, housing duration, and whether employment and transportation needs would be included in the assessment.