Transcript Highlights:

• support of the Paid Family and Medical support of the Paid Family and Medical Leave<01:24:42.920
• finding a viable Paid Family Medical finding a viable Paid Family Medical Leave<01:25:38.400>
• education about paid family medical education about paid family medical leave<01:42:15.440> as
• medical leave if paid failing medical medical leave if paid failing medical leave<02:19:10.800><
• lot less on the individual's Medical lot less on the individual's Medical Care<03:56:20.880>

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first heard testimony on House Bill 437, which would change New Hampshire law on undischarged mortgages by creating a shorter period after which certain old mortgages would be treated as unenforceable. Prime sponsor Representative Bill Boyd said the bill was developed with input from bankers, lawyers, realtors, the Attorney General’s office, and the Banking Department, and he noted a drafting correction needed on line 18. He explained that the proposal would replace current law with a new framework modeled partly on Massachusetts, including a five-year expiration after a stated maturity date and a 35-year period for mortgages without an expiration date. Supporters said the bill would help clear obsolete title defects, reduce costly quiet-title litigation, and make real estate transactions easier for consumers, attorneys, and conveyancers. Representative Mary Hakken-Phillips, Susan Cole of the New Hampshire Association of Realtors, and Michelle Coffin all testified in support, describing the bill as a consumer protection measure. They said undischarged or improperly discharged mortgages often surface during title searches, causing delays, legal expenses, and failed or delayed closings. Coffin and Hakken-Phillips emphasized that many of these cases involve old, effectively obsolete mortgages and that the current process often requires expensive court action even when no one contests the title. Cole described a recent transaction in which a title defect caused a buyer to walk away and later restart the financing process, creating costs for both buyer and seller. A committee member asked about notice to mortgage holders; the response was that the lender bears responsibility for recording and extending the mortgage, and that due process rights would remain if a lender later contested the discharge. Ryan Hill of the New Hampshire Bankers Association said the banking industry had reviewed the bill and was generally comfortable with it, while requesting a delayed effective date so members would have time to adjust their recording practices. He said the bill’s January 1, 2028 effective date reflected that request. After closing the hearing on HB 437, the committee opened a hearing on House Bill 721, the Gold and Silver Legal Tender Act. Representative Juliet Harvey-Bolia introduced it as a bipartisan economic justice bill intended to recognize gold and silver as legal tender, protect against inflation, and address concerns about trust, taxes, and government taking. She argued that gold is a stable store of value and discussed tax treatment in neighboring states, federal history, and digital gold platforms. The hearing on HB 721 was still in progress when the transcript ended, with the chair limiting questions because of time.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senior medical case manager for Sunburst projects.
• I didn't trust the medications that were out at the time, AZT.
• And then in 2003, I was non-adherent to medication. I didn't believe in it.
• In 2003, I was non-adherent to medication. I didn't believe in it.
• care and non-medical care for our residents. ...proper medical care and non-medical care for our residents

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Select Committee on Older LGBTQ Californians held an inaugural hearing focused on health care, long-term services, and supports for older LGBTQ Californians, including older adults living with HIV and transgender, gender diverse, and intersex seniors. Opening remarks emphasized the historical discrimination faced by these communities, the growth of the older LGBTQ population, and the need to address gaps in care, especially in nursing homes, home- and community-based services, and access to affirming providers. Senators present framed the hearing as timely in light of federal policy changes and the state’s aging population. The first panel featured Justice in Aging, CalHHS, the Department of Aging, and the Aging and HIV Institute. Testimony highlighted statewide survey findings showing both resilience and significant disparities: many respondents reported discrimination, low incomes, health challenges, social isolation, and unmet needs, with worse outcomes for transgender adults and adults of color. Speakers stressed the importance of Medi-Cal, PACE, home- and community-based services, gender-affirming care, and the Master Plan for Aging, while also criticizing the limited explicit attention to LGBTQ older adults in state planning and the impact of federal Medicaid cuts and other federal actions. Committee members asked about translating survey findings into concrete actions, improving outreach in rural areas, and creating more coordinated, “no wrong door” access to services. The second panel focused on seniors living with HIV. A long-term survivor described the “survivorship penalty,” including benefits problems, housing insecurity, and the need for legal and navigation support, as well as HIV-specific housing and protections against outdated disability standards. The Department of Aging reported on implementation of SB 258, which added HIV status to the definition of greatest social need in area plans; it said 20 of 33 area agencies on aging identified HIV as a target population and many included specific strategies. The Office of AIDS described Project Cornerstone, Ryan White, ADAP, HOPWA, the Medi-Cal waiver, and PrEP-AP, noting these programs serve thousands of older clients and are intended to support whole-person care. Committee members pressed agencies on how ADAP rebate funds might be used, how to improve implementation of SB 258, and how to better connect people to existing benefits and services. The final panel addressed supports for transgender, gender diverse, and intersex seniors. The Department of Social Services reviewed protections in long-term care facilities under SB 219, including nondiscrimination rules, required training, preferred pronouns and gender identity records, and complaint investigations, and also described IHSS as a self-directed program that can help older adults choose affirming providers. The hearing ended without formal votes or legislative action, but members repeatedly requested follow-up on implementation, outreach, data collection, and possible budget or program changes to better serve older LGBTQ Californians.

Transcript Highlights:

• If it's past medicals, they're paid out immediately.
• Future medicals are then set up with our third-party administrator.
• Texas is in the medical compact.
• But there are some things that we can do in medical malpractice.
• Chair, of all those medical malpractice lawsuits that we paid out?

Transcript Highlights:

• The medical board would have no purview to say he or she has crossed this line.
• Or is that person, is the Texas Medical Board able to do a cease and desist at this...
• I mean, if they’re not licensed at all, don’t... ...medical provision, correct?
• , scope practice, but there’s also the broader context of the medical board enforcing it against non-medical
• So the scope of what a medical profession does is started at the statute.

Summary: The Senate opened with an invocation and then took up several recognitions and memorial resolutions, including honoring retiring Senate staffer Kelvin Bass and Secretary of the Senate Patsy Spaw and her staff. Members also adopted a series of local and honorary resolutions, including designating Rockport as the Redfish Capital of Texas, San Antonio as Military City, Texas, and Bridge City as the Corn Dog Capital of Texas, along with memorial and medal-of-honor resolutions for Texans and service members. The chamber also received messages from the House reporting passage of various measures and conference committee actions. The bulk of the meeting focused on conference committee reports and related procedural resolutions. The Senate adopted reports and/or out-of-bounds resolutions on SB 293, SB 1610, HB 46, HB 145, HB 1545, SB 650, SB 1660, HB 40, SB 2217, HB 119, HB 493, HB 3642, HB 2963, SB 2024, SB 2972, HB 2516, HB 2885, and SB 2753, among others. Topics included the Texas Civil Commitment Office, the T-Cup prescription program, wildfire mitigation and utility liability, sunset scheduling, alcohol ID swiping at retail and package stores, business court jurisdiction, election administration and data consistency, foreign adversary lobbying, poll watcher qualifications, road naming, right-to-repair, disguised vape pens, and campus expressive activity rules. Several measures passed with near-unanimous votes, while others drew more opposition, including SB 268 on medical board enforcement and SB 2753 on election procedures. There was extended debate on SB 268, which would shift enforcement authority for scope-of-practice complaints to specialty boards rather than the Texas Medical Board. Senators raised concerns about whether the bill would weaken the Medical Board’s ability to stop unlicensed practice of medicine, while supporters argued that specialty boards should police their own licensees and that criminal referrals remain available for unlicensed practice. The Senate also discussed SB 2972 on expressive activities at public universities, with questions about content-neutral restrictions, who counts as the university community, and whether the bill provides a mechanism to challenge campus time, place, and manner rules. Both bills ultimately passed their conference reports, and the Senate later adopted a large package of resolutions by voice vote before adjourning further business.

Transcript Highlights:

• They have no authority over the Texas Medical Board.
• I know we do have an issue of medical...
• There are often times when a medication...
• Center, Medical Diagnostic Laboratory, or TVMDL.
• Medication and drug testing program.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• management to uh manage the medical management to uh manage the medical cannabis<00:20:35.039>
• <00:21:33.039> cannabis chapter in which the medical cannabis chapter in which the medical
• And then it maintains tribal reciprocity for medical patients to purchase medical products off of tribal
• And then it maintains tribal reciprocity for medical patients to purchase medical products off of tribal
• <00:40:12.320> Medical adults who use cannabis. Medical adults who use cannabis.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• MGB is the largest graduate medical education program in the country.
• At a time when medical distrust in the system, when distrust of the medical system is incredibly high
• So I had to stop the medication because it wasn't good for me.
• We have a community member who pays more on medication than rent.
• manufacturing and distribution of prescription medications.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on a broad set of health care bills focused on cost, market oversight, pharmaceutical access, transparency, hospital closures, and pharmacy access. Chairs John Lawn and Cindy Friedman opened by emphasizing recent health care reforms and the need for further action on the drug supply chain, PBMs, private equity, and affordability. The committee heard testimony on several measures, including a Betsy Lehman Center bill to make technical changes and create a permanent trust account for federal and private funding, and bills on hospital profits and fairness, hospital closures and health planning, pharmacy deserts, and health care market oversight and pharmaceutical access. No votes were taken during the hearing. On the hospital profits bill, physicians and labor advocates strongly supported capping hospital CEO compensation at 50 times the lowest-paid worker, requiring greater financial transparency, and directing penalties from high-margin public hospitals into a Medicaid reimbursement fund. Testifiers argued that executive pay is excessive while frontline staff and safety-net services are under strain. Committee members raised concerns about unintended consequences, including whether hospitals might shift workers to contract status or lose executive talent, and whether the bill would actually direct money to the safety net. Supporters responded that the measure is one piece of a larger effort and that the bill’s Medicaid reimbursement provisions would help underserved hospitals. Testimony on market oversight and pharmaceutical access centered on rising health care and drug costs, PBM practices, and the proposal to give the Health Policy Commission authority to set upper payment limits for certain drugs. Consumer advocates, disability advocates, an independent pharmacist, the Attorney General’s office, and others supported stronger oversight, citing premium increases, affordability problems, and the impact of high drug prices on patients and community pharmacies. Pharma and some industry witnesses opposed parts of the bill, warning that upper payment limits could disrupt access, create legal issues, and fail to address the broader supply chain. The committee also heard support for stronger hospital closure notice and public hearing requirements, and for a pharmacy deserts bill aimed at identifying and addressing closures like the one in Roxbury that affected thousands of patients.

Transcript Highlights:

• Like, it's hard enough to get reimbursed for medical...
• Is this the typical protocol for any medical provider?
• I just listened to what you said about the Medical Malpractice Act.
• Page five, I know we talked about the medical malpractice expenses.
• Same thing, Loveless Medical Center, Arden.

Transcript Highlights:

• medical professionals in lieu of self-medicating.
• See licensed medical professionals in lieu of self-medicating.
• Medication management is huge.
• From then, I request jail medical records, medication MARs, all of their private medical history. ...
• records, medication MARs, all of their private medical history prior to that to make sure, again, am

Keywords: 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• medical providers from various specialties, the medical director, DHHS, a clinical representative from
• medical providers from various specialties, the medical director, DHHS, a clinical representative from
• medical providers from various specialties, the medical director, DHHS, a clinical representative from
• framework aligns with with medical framework aligns with with medical standards<01:14:56.679>
• <01:16:24.199> needs medical needs medical needs in<01:16:25.840> 1997<01:16:26.840>

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that Mr chairman when I went to medical that Mr chairman when I went to medical school<00:08:52.160
• <00:18:50.159> decision-making interfere in my medical decision-making interfere in my medical
• medications or for medications helping medications or for medications helping with<00:26:10.120>
• I'm in my medical practice.
• these exams however medical these exams however medical professionals<00:42:12.440> are<00

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee heard testimony on Senate Bill 132, a health care conscience-protection measure. Supporters said the bill would protect health care professionals from being forced to participate in procedures or services that violate sincerely held religious or ethical beliefs, while explicitly excluding emergency care. They argued it would help recruit and retain providers, preserve ethical integrity in medicine, and has worked in several other states. Supporters also emphasized that the bill is aimed at procedures or services, not at denying care based on who a patient is, and noted that the bill includes a civil cause of action to give it enforcement teeth. Several supporters described personal experiences. A nurse said lack of conscience protections affected her career choices and limited her path into women’s health. Dr. Warman said he had requested not to perform anesthesia for abortions and later chose non-narcotic pain management because he objected to heavy opioid prescribing, saying conscience protections allow professionals to practice responsibly. Senators asked about examples, the bill’s scope, whether it could be used to discriminate, and which states have similar laws; Mississippi, Florida, Montana, Ohio, South Carolina, and Arkansas were named. Questions also focused on the bill’s civil enforcement provisions and whether it could be used against patients based on identity or religion. Opponents warned the bill was overly broad and could allow refusals of care by a wide range of health workers, including clerks, ambulance drivers, pharmacists, nurses, and physicians. Dr. Karen Abrams said it could lead to denial of birth control, Plan B, blood transfusions, and other care, especially in rural areas with few alternatives, and could worsen Kentucky’s provider shortages. David Conway said the bill lacked patient protections, could increase delays and discrimination, and could prevent reassignment of objecting staff. The chair noted there were seven people signed up in opposition, limited testimony to two minutes each, and said the committee would return to the bill after hearing additional opposition and other pending bills.

Transcript Highlights:

• This medical nutritional counseling is prescribed by a physician and performed by a Medicaid enrolled
• And medically tailored meal programs.
• We feel that the inclusions of medically tailored meals and medical prescriptions to individuals who
• And that's why the medical nutrition therapy component is essential.
• Um, medical, and the purpose for medical nutrition therapy and the clarification there is really more

Bills: HB 26, HB 140, HB 141, HB 142, HB 215

Keywords: Medicaid, nutrition support, maternal health, chronic conditions, pilot program, DFPS, Department of Family and Protective Services, child protective services, child abuse investigations, child neglect, child exploitation, advisory committee, Family and Protective Services Council, council abolition, foster care, due process, investigative procedures, child welfare, parental rights, family preservation services

Transcript Highlights:

• Butler is not here today because he is on vacation and has a medical procedure. Mr.
• As long as I'm insurable at the same time, no medical issues.
• as part of a pre-treatment medical clearance protocol for an insured diagnosed with cancer.
• I'm the medical oncologist at LSU North Baton Rouge. I'm Dr. Patrick Stagg.
• I'm a medical oncologist at LSU North Baton Rouge.

Summary: The House Insurance Committee met on May 19 and first took up Senate Bill 509 on bank-owned life insurance. The bill would clarify that banks retain an insurable interest in former employees for purposes of exchanging underperforming bank-owned life insurance policies for better-performing ones. Members adopted a revised amendment set after withdrawing a prior version. Testimony focused heavily on whether consent from the insured former employee is required for any transfer or exchange, with supporters saying the bill is needed to address underperforming policies and opponents warning about unclear consent standards, data-transfer concerns, litigation risk, and possible federal tax issues. After debate, the committee reported SB 509 as amended by a 7-4 vote. The committee then heard Senate Bill 295, which requires health insurance coverage for medically necessary treatment for persons with acquired brain injuries, including cognitive rehabilitation and related services. Supporters from the Brain Injury Association of Louisiana and NeuroRestorative described gaps in post-acute care, high rates of discharge to unsafe home settings or nursing homes, and improved return-to-work outcomes when patients receive appropriate rehabilitation. An amendment was adopted to clarify federal essential health benefit limits and remove certain language, reducing the fiscal note to zero. The bill was then reported as amended without objection. Next, the committee considered Senate Bill 155, which requires coverage for medically necessary dental procedures needed for cancer treatment clearance, such as exams, imaging, and extractions. Cancer advocates, oncologists, and dental representatives said untreated dental problems can delay chemotherapy or radiation and lead to worse outcomes and higher costs. Cleanup amendments were adopted, and the bill was reported as amended. The committee also advanced Senate Bill 465, which tightens prompt-payment deadlines for health insurers, adds pharmacy payment provisions, and creates a recoupment timeline for dental claims; after technical and substantive amendments, it was reported as amended. Finally, the committee approved Senate Bill 276, creating a pre-appointment affidavit process for bail bond producers to ensure prior premiums, shortages, and forfeitures are resolved before a new insurer appointment, and House Resolution 260, which urges the Department of Insurance to study how out-of-network medical billing affects auto insurance rates. Both measures were reported favorably or as amended, and the committee adjourned after a motion to do so.

Transcript Highlights:

• facilities, if they require medical facilities, if they require medical care,<00:04:50.320> non-elective
• c> mental<00:26:19.679> health Every major medical and mental health Every major medical and
• Psychiatric, psychological, and medical Psychiatric, psychological, and medical associations,<00
• condemned by leading medical condemned by leading medical organizations<00:38:00.400> and
• So I vote I. a comment that I'm not a medical expert a comment that I'm not a medical expert and<01:03

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first took up administrative regulations, found no concerns, and then passed House Bill 389 with a favorable expression by a 9-0 vote. HB 389 was described as a cleanup bill for the CASPER prescription monitoring program: it clarifies that practitioners must have active CASPER accounts, exempts charitable health care providers from e-prescribing requirements, allows sharing CASPER data with certain federal entities such as military-base providers, and updates references to hydrocodone’s Schedule II status. The sponsor said there was no expected fiscal impact. The committee then passed House Bill 392, also by a 9-0 favorable expression. HB 392 would streamline payment for non-elective medical care for patients in state mental facilities when the facility cannot provide the needed treatment, allowing care in community-based settings and payment to those providers. The sponsor said the bill was intended to improve efficiency and would not have a fiscal impact on the cabinet. House Bill 501 was next and likewise passed 9-0 with favorable expression. The bill would allow pharmacists, in their professional judgment, to refill certain prescriptions for up to 180 days when a physician has died, while excluding controlled substances and preserving pharmacist discretion to require follow-up care. Senators raised concerns that the bill does not require patients to seek a new provider during that period, but supporters said the longer window addresses rural provider shortages and access delays. The committee then heard House Bill 495, as amended by a committee substitute. The substitute would prohibit Medicaid services and managed care organizations from covering cross-sex hormones above normal levels and gender reassignment surgery. Testimony on the bill was overwhelmingly opposed, with speakers including a former senator, psychologists, advocates, and legal and social work representatives arguing that conversion therapy is harmful, that the substitute would deny medically necessary gender-affirming care, and that the measure could increase suicide risk and litigation. One witness from the Family Foundation of Kentucky spoke in favor, arguing the executive order on counseling limits free speech and that counseling should not be restricted by government. The transcript ends during testimony, with no final committee vote on HB 495 shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• We did hear some concerns from the medical society. I've met with the medical society.
• I've met with the medical society. I've met with the medical<00:27:13.679> society.
• <00:44:43.040> practice<00:44:43.520> that got a medical practice that got a medical
• In 40 years of practice, I never saw a physician, a medical practice, a hospital, or any other medical
• <01:04:08.480> Society Hampshire Medical Society Hampshire Medical Society and<01:04:10.640

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It helps the medical cannabis businesses continue to provide needed medicine to medical patients by relieving
• <00:04:24.000> cannabis like we saw with the medical cannabis like we saw with the medical
• It helps the medical cannabis here.
• medicine to medical medicine to medical patients<00:05:16.320> by<00:05:16.960> relieving
• There still is a lot of work to be done in the medical space.

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House considered a Senate message announcing that the Senate had concurred in and adopted the conference committee report on Senate File 2370, the cannabis bill. Representative Stevenson moved adoption of the report and explained that the conference committee had largely retained House provisions while making additional changes, including directing the Office of Cannabis Management to return with a medical-market streamlining proposal, expanding testing capacity, and adding an expungement provision. Representative West also urged adoption, saying the bill improved the measure and moved Minnesota closer to a safe, tested, legal cannabis market. During debate on the bill, West argued that the legislation was still too restrictive but would help create a functioning market, support hemp businesses, ease burdens on medical cannabis operators, and improve public safety and expungement outcomes. Stevenson emphasized the bill’s low-potency hemp beverage wholesaler licensing provisions, saying they would support Minnesota breweries and create a needed wholesaling segment in the cannabis supply chain. He also noted that the bill would generate some licensing revenue and help the state’s cannabis market develop more efficiently. Members also discussed the importance of preserving the medical cannabis program for patients, including children with seizure disorders, and the need for clearer local control as cities and counties work with preliminary licensees before market launch. Hansen said local governments have key responsibilities under the legalization framework and warned that delays could affect the expected early 2025 launch. After debate, the House adopted the conference report, and the bill passed as amended by conference on an 80-50 vote, with its title agreed to.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's what this bill is about—medication abortion.
• It's a narrow process for certain medications that have serious safety risks.
• We know that medication abortions, these abortion pills, physically harm women.
• They said women undergoing medication abortions had adverse events.
• And the doctor prescribes this medication from New York.

Bills: SB 2, SB 5, SB 10, SB 9, SB 7, SB 17, SB 4, HB17, HB7, HB7, HB15, HB15, HB27, HB1, HB7, HB15, HB18, SB9, SB7, SB17, SB4, HB17, HB27, HB1, SB8, HCR13, SB2, SB5, SB10

Keywords: disaster relief, flood preparedness, emergency funding, local government support, meteorological forecasting, school assessment, public education, accountability, transparency, education standards, STAAR, Texas Education Agency, TEA, public school accountability, school ratings, A-F ratings, assessment reform, student testing, benchmark tests, interim assessments

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Kenan Ron, and I'm the Acting Chief Medical Officer for Medicaid.
• I'm a third-year medical student here at UNM School of Medicine.
• I'm a third-year medical student here at UNM School of Medicine.
• Yes, but are the EMS folks medical practice act?
• Well, we haven't seen the medical compact yet, but this one and the medical compact got Senate kind of

Keywords: 996, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . interference in our medical care.
• , but it will protect our medical providers.
• It will protect our medical providers' rights to use their medical judgment to decide our health care
• You don't want to have an administrator making your medical decisions.
• Medical, mental health, substance abuse, what have you.

Bills: HF2779, HF1645, HF1885, HF1289, HF1534, HF2707, HF1675, HF3046

Keywords: health care transparency, ownership disclosure, control reporting, health care consolidation, private equity, management services organization, MSO, provider organization, health insurer, pharmacy benefit manager, hospital system, affiliate reporting, financial disclosure, public reporting, market concentration, horizontal consolidation, vertical consolidation, health care ownership, corporate practice, health care regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• <00:00:53.360> technician community emergency medical technician community emergency medical
• opportunities for emergency medical opportunities for emergency medical services<00:03:13.280>
• Our rural emergency medical services are the backbone of Minnesota's medical system.
• Our rural emergency medical services are the backbone of Minnesota's medical system.
• Our rural emergency medical services are the backbone of Minnesota's medical system.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all