Transcript Highlights:

• within the Department of Public Health.
• Of course, our Department of Health Care Services, which is our state Medicaid entity, and our Department
• EMS department, but also the expertise of our department.
• We have expertise from our EMSA department, but also the expertise of our Department of Health Care Services
• We also, through our DMHC, have to work with the California Department of Insurance, which is an entity

Summary: The joint Assembly Health and Select Committee on Native American Affairs held an oversight hearing on AB 988, California’s 988 crisis line and mobile crisis response system, followed by a discussion of suicide prevention and intervention in California Indian communities. Members and witnesses repeatedly emphasized that AB 988 was intended to create a true alternative to 911 for behavioral health crises, with “someone to call, someone to come, and somewhere to go,” and that Native communities continue to face disproportionately high suicide rates and barriers to culturally responsive care. The first panel of call center and stakeholder witnesses largely argued that implementation is falling short of the law’s intent. They said 988 call centers are underfunded, text/chat answer rates remain far below call answer rates, staffing is strained, and the system still lacks meaningful statewide interoperability between 988 and 911. Several witnesses said mobile crisis teams are not being dispatched through 988 as envisioned, and that funding formulas and governance are too opaque. San Joaquin County was presented as a local success story, with integrated 988, access lines, and mobile crisis handoffs that have reduced reliance on emergency departments and involuntary holds. Witnesses also discussed the need for better tribal outreach, the role of CCBHCs, and the importance of culturally competent services. State officials from CalHHS and DHCS described the five-year 988 implementation plan, the current governance structure across multiple agencies, and efforts to support training, public awareness, and referral tools. They reported growth in 988 contacts, ongoing training with the Trevor Project, a statewide resource directory, and a tribal awareness campaign. DHCS also outlined proposed trailer bill language that would create a formal designation process for 988 centers, set statewide standards, and require existing centers to obtain designation by 2029. Officials said current funding includes SAMHSA grants, block grant dollars, and an expected $67.3 million from the 988 fund in the next budget year, with a large share earmarked for Medi-Cal mobile crisis services. No formal vote or committee action was taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• APPLY TO THE OPERATOR OF THE UTV IF THEY HAVE INSURANCE?
• Martin: MORE INSURANCE WE ARE REQUIRED TO CARRY IN OUR MOTOR VEHICLES IN THE STATE OF FLORIDA. >> Sen
• THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION IS DIRECTED TO ERECT SUITABLE MARKERS.
• OF CORRECTIONS, WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF WITH DEPARTMENT OF AFFAIRS WE CAN COVER THOSE BASES.
• FOR INSTANCE, WITH THE DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS WE KNOW THERE IS A TREMENDOUS OPPORTUNITY.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Hawaii Department of Taxation with comments. >> Thank you.
• If the state of Hawaii creates a Department of Education, it has certain powers that it gives to it.
• </c> registration division at the department registration division at the department of<01:11:07.920>
• of the DCCA to the insurance division of the DCCA certain<01:26:49.679><c> information</c><01:26:50.080
• Maybe for the Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs.

Bills: SB2045 , SB2354

Committee: Senate Commerce and Consumer Protection

Keywords: combat sports, boxing, mixed martial arts, health regulations, safety standards, licensing, event regulation, 912, senate, all

Summary: The committees first took up SB 2071 on rent-to-own housing. Testimony was generally supportive from HHFDC and Hawaii Realtors, but Sierra Club of Hawaii and others opposed the bill unless it was amended to exclude ceded lands from the 99-year lease provision. Members discussed the scope of ceded versus non-ceded lands and whether an inventory exists. The committees ultimately recommended passage with amendments, including HHFDC’s proposal to make the fixed-price period flexible by tying it to an option period and Sierra Club’s language limiting the program to non-ceded state or county land. They then heard SB 2191 on limited profit housing associations. HHFDC supported the measure, while the Tax Foundation of Hawaii and the Office of the Auditor urged caution about tax exclusions and asked for clearer, more targeted limits and measurable outcomes. The committees adopted amendments to add a statement of purpose, include measurable metrics, apply the tax provisions to taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025, and delay the effective date to allow for administrative changes. SB 2191 was recommended for passage with amendments. The committees also considered SB 2197, which would have replaced the five-year fixed-price period in rent-to-own housing with an option period set by HHFDC, but deferred it indefinitely because its issues were addressed in SB 2071. SB 2180 on deposits of public funds drew comments from the Hawaii Bankers Association questioning definitions and noting banks are already subject to Community Reinvestment Act requirements; decision-making was deferred to the next day in the CPN committee and to a later date for the housing committee. Finally, SB 2210 on housing discrimination received support from disability advocates and the Hawaii Civil Rights Commission, which asked for one additional investigator; the committees passed it with amendments adding a blank appropriation for one full-time position and planned to notify Ways and Means for possible re-referral.

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of Health and Welfare.
• of private... ...of which the department has a number of pieces of private personal health information
• health plays in the continuum of health care in the Department of Health and Welfare.
• Again, the Department of Insurance really convenes those insurers.
• Within the overall structure of the Department of Health and Welfare, you... Ms.

Summary: The committee heard budget presentations for several Department of Health and Welfare divisions, including Early Learning and Development, Public Health Services, and Family and Community Partnerships. The analyst and director explained recent reorganizations, such as moving the Idaho Child Care Program into Early Learning and Development, shifting Emergency Medical Services out of Public Health, and proposing to move the Idaho Home Visiting Program from Public Health to Early Learning and Development for efficiency. The presentations also covered ongoing and one-time funding requests for child care capacity, immunizations, HIV and hepatitis prevention, lab testing, disaster preparedness, and kinship navigation services. A major focus was the Idaho Child Care Program capacity funding. Committee members asked about the source of the money, how much was already set aside, whether the funds would create new slots rather than subsidize existing ones, and how the department would verify proper use. The director said the money comes from the federal Child Care Development Block Grant, is intended to expand provider capacity in underserved and rural areas, and can support both licensed and unlicensed providers as long as federal health and safety requirements are met. Members also questioned the proposed five new program integrity positions, including a fraud investigator, and the director said they are needed for a full annual review of providers and beneficiaries; she later corrected that the positions are ongoing, not one-time, funding. Public health questions centered on the effectiveness of HIV and hepatitis prevention spending, the immunization assessment fund, and the role of public health more broadly. The director said HIV and hepatitis funds support education, screening, and surveillance rather than treatment, that the state continues to see a need despite rising case counts, and that the department is revamping outcome reporting. On immunizations, she said the assessment fund is financed by insurer assessments and supports vaccine purchases at lower cost, with the governor recommending an increase based on the assessment board’s decision. Members also asked about the home visiting program’s funding history, the proposed transfer of funds between Youth Safety and Permanency and Switzie for rare complex cases, and the use of ARPA funds for one-time data modernization projects. No formal votes were taken in the transcript, and the committee adjourned after the presentations and questions.

Transcript Highlights:

• the Department of Emergency and Military Affairs and the Adjutant General of Arizona.
• by the House of Representatives of the 57th Legislature, Regular Session, and request the consent of
• of Corrections.
• of Insurance and Financial Institutions needs to know the business is operating in this area.
• Instead of increasing accountability, this bill risks making insurance decisions less transparent for

Summary: The Senate opened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, guest introductions, and a light April Fools proclamation directing the sergeant-at-arms to wear a silk top hat for the day. The chamber then agreed to the House request to adjourn from April 2 to April 7, and messages from the House were received, including transmission of some bills to the Governor. The body also briefly recognized visitors from the Arizona Psychiatric Society and the nominee to lead the Department of Emergency and Military Affairs. In Committee of the Whole, the Senate considered several bills. On the first calendar, it advanced HB 2120 on property tax exemptions and disability determinations, HB 2174 on insurance business and modeling data, HB 2289 on truth-in-taxation bond notices, HB 2861 on marital/postnuptial agreements, and HB 2903 on banks and financial institutions. On the second calendar, it advanced HB 208 on school libraries, HB 2040 on public educational institutions and adoption information, HB 2075 on school employee contracts, HB 2203 on public school reporting requirements, HB 2255 on school employee training, HB 2383 on school property leases and housing development, and HB 2903 again as amended. Several floor amendments were debated, including a successful hostile amendment to HB 2075 that was later rejected, and committee amendments to other bills were adopted. The Senate then took third-reading votes on multiple bills. HB 257, HB 2131, HB 2223, HB 2264, HB 2857, HB 2120, HB 2174, HB 2289, HB 2861, HB 2903, HB 2008, HB 2040, HB 2075, HB 2203, HB 2255, and HB 2383 all passed, with recorded roll-call votes and several members explaining their opposition or support. HB 2255 passed with the required three-quarters vote. The chamber also adopted the Committee of the Whole reports and transmitted the bills as appropriate. Before adjournment, Senator Miranda read a proclamation recognizing Farm Workers Day, and Senator Tothley offered a statement and moment of silence in memory of Passion Swartz, urging review of turquoise alert practices. The Senate then voted to adjourn until Thursday, April 2, 2026 at 10 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill simply requires the Department of Health, in collaboration with the Florida school districts
• I have had preliminary conversations with some of our insurance providers.
• Beginning of the fall where students are able to come in for free to the health department to at least
• When you have insurance and you're going to play sports, that should be covered as part of your insurance
• and for healthcare practitioners who violate this requirement, the Department of Health or the Health

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Whereas the Secretary of the United States Department of Health and Human Services promulgates vaccine
• Health insurance exchange, requiring rules for the immunization of children attending schools to be based
• on the recommendations of the New Mexico Department of Health; 4.
• the Department of Health or the American Academy of Pediatrics, requiring the Department of Health to
• to be recommended by the Department of Health, prohibiting certain health insurance plans from imposing

Transcript Highlights:

• functions of the Department of Budget and Finance.
• :05:27.520><c> budget</c> functions of the Department of budget functions of the Department of budget
• um, Department of, well, DNR, Department of Agriculture, has some facilities that are of concern, right
• um, Department of, well, DNR, Department of Agriculture, has some facilities that are of concern, right
• um, Department of, well, DNR, Department of Agriculture, has some facilities that are of concern, right

Keywords: 910, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• My name is Brandon Adams, deputy commissioner for the Department of Employee Insurance.
• > has</c> Department of Employee Insurance has Department of Employee Insurance has been<00:51:51.359
• c> Employee</c> with the Department of Employee with the Department of Employee Insurance<00:57:08.000
• at Department of Employee Insurance<00:59:59.440><c> just</c><00:59:59.599><c> about</c><00:59:59.839
• </c><01:07:46.640><c> of</c> want to speak for the Department of want to speak for the Department of

Committee: Joint State Government

Keywords: 958, all

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:01:41.119><c> of</c> transformation at the department of transformation at the department of
• We are we have a variety of insurance.
• to</c> the Department of Public Safety to the Department of Public Safety to provide<00:21:00.960><c
• examples of fraud in the for-profit insurance industry.
• gt; If you think of the department of health &gt;&gt; If you think of the department of health in<01:

Committee: House Fraud Prevention and State Agency Oversight Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• “Yeah, Joseph Donaldson, Department of Finance.”
• Michelle Boss, Director of the Department of Health Care Services. H.R....
• Madam Chair and members, Michelle Boss, Director of the Department of Health Care Services.
• Sabrina Adams, Department of Finance.
• Sabrina Adams, Department of Finance, I would just reiterate what my colleague from Department of Health

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health held a hearing on the impacts of H.R. 1 and related federal actions on Covered California, Medi-Cal, and immigrant access to care. The chair framed the discussion around three main issues: expected losses in marketplace coverage as enhanced federal premium subsidies expire, new federal work and renewal requirements that would add administrative burden to Medi-Cal, and the loss of eligibility for certain lawfully present immigrants. Covered California testified that H.R. 1 and new federal rules, combined with the end of enhanced premium tax credits, are driving higher premiums, lower new enrollment, and more cancellations, especially among middle-income, Latino, and Black enrollees. The agency said California’s $190 million state subsidy program is helping lower-income enrollees but cannot replace the lost federal assistance, and it noted that roughly 120,000 lawfully present immigrants in Covered California will lose federal tax credits in 2027. On Medi-Cal, the Department of Health Care Services said H.R. 1 will require work and community engagement verification, six-month renewals for certain adults, and other changes that the department expects will reduce enrollment substantially. DHCS estimated 233,000 members could lose coverage by June 2027 from the work requirement and 289,000 from six-month renewals, with losses rising much higher by 2028; it also said it is using automation, outreach, clinic navigators, coverage ambassadors, community health workers, and street medicine providers to reduce procedural disenrollments. The department described a two-phase outreach plan and said it is working with counties on implementation, while the Department of Finance said the Governor’s budget maintains $190 million for the state subsidy program and does not propose additional changes at this time. The LAO said its independent forecast is somewhat higher than the administration’s, estimating about 2.1 million fewer Medi-Cal enrollees by June 2028, and urged the Legislature to review county administrative workload and readiness. Public testimony and member comments focused on the human and fiscal consequences of coverage losses. A representative from the Sacramento Native American Health Center warned that reduced reimbursement and coverage losses would destabilize community health centers, increase uncompensated care, and worsen outcomes by pushing patients into emergency care. Members raised concerns about paperwork burdens, county capacity, outreach effectiveness, and whether the state should do more to preserve coverage, including possible modeling of additional H-CARF spending and support for middle-income consumers and immigrant enrollees. The hearing did not take any votes or formal actions, but it ended with public comment and continued discussion of implementation and budget options.

Transcript Highlights:

• and also Tiana Williams-Claussen, Director of the Uruk Tribe Wildlife Department.
• Your extended time within the Department of Fish and Wildlife, do you believe that grizzly bears can
• Do you think this Department of Fish and Wildlife has enough resources to address this issue if this
• Now, what we've seen is with all of these insurance issues, lack of insurance, insurance delays, skyrocketing
• Now, what we've seen is with all of these insurance, lack of insurance, insurance delays, skyrocketing

Summary: The committee first heard SB 872, which would direct $300 million annually for 20 years to repair subsidence damage in the State Water Project and to fund Delta levee repairs. The author and supporters said the bill is needed to protect water deliveries for 27 million Californians, prevent major infrastructure and flood risks, and address long-term threats to California’s water supply. Support came from a broad coalition of water agencies, local governments, environmental groups, and business interests; there was no opposition testimony. Members discussed the scale of the funding, the beneficiary-pays issue, and whether the bill should more clearly address risk and identify likely project areas. The committee adopted amendments, and SB 872 passed 5-0 to Appropriations and was placed on call. The committee then took up SB 1305, a study bill on the feasibility of reintroducing the California grizzly bear. The author, tribal sponsors, and conservation supporters framed the bill as a science-based roadmap that would examine habitat, impacts, and implementation, while recognizing the grizzly’s cultural significance to tribes and its ecological role. Opponents, including sheriffs, cattle groups, county representatives, and a former Fish and Wildlife law enforcement official, argued that California lacks the staffing, funding, and public-safety capacity to manage another apex predator and that the state is already struggling with wolves and mountain lions. Members raised questions about the scope of the feasibility study, local control, and whether the bill should address conflict risk earlier in the process. The author agreed to work on additional amendments, and the bill passed 4-1 to Appropriations and remained on call. SB 1079, creating a Cal Fire Fire Innovation Unit to speed the testing and deployment of wildfire technologies, was heard next. The author and supporters said California has strong wildfire innovation but lacks a formal pipeline to move promising tools from pilot projects into statewide use. Supporters included Megafire Action, Fireworks, the Orange County Fire Authority, and the California Association of Realtors, which sought amendments related to nonprofit administration of grants. There was no opposition testimony. The bill passed 5-0 to Emergency Management and was placed on call. The committee also heard SB 997, which would give the North Fork Kings Groundwater Sustainability Agency lien authority to collect fines and fees tied to its groundwater sustainability plan. Supporters said the change would allow more efficient enforcement and avoid lengthy civil litigation; no opposition appeared. Members asked whether the authority should be extended more broadly to other statutory GSAs, and the author said discussions were ongoing. SB 997 passed 2-0 to Judiciary and was placed on call. The committee later caught up on votes for the earlier bills and then moved to SB 894, a wildfire resilience loan program modeled on Go Green to help homeowners finance home-hardening measures; it passed 5-0 to Emergency Management and was placed on call. Finally, SB 1229 was introduced by Senator Allen to strengthen coastal protections for rebuilding after disasters, beginning with the Palisades fire context, but the transcript cuts off before that bill’s full hearing concluded.

Transcript Highlights:

• And it also asked the department to convene a work group to report by the end of the year on what our
• the Department of Transportation and then the State Historical Resources Council.
• ><c> and</c><00:33:22.399><c> then</c> uh department of transportation and then uh department of transportation
• ><00:42:12.079><c> could</c> Department of Justice, if we could Department of Justice, if we could attach
• to the Consumer Protection Bureau with the Department of Justice.

Committee: Senate Rules and Enrolled Bills

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Department of State Hospitals has identified as being at higher risk of reoffense when released directly
• Many of the deep discounts plans and insurers can achieve are possible when health plans and insurers
• Many of the discounts plans and insurers can achieve are possible when health plans and insurers adjust
• Madam Chair and members, John Winger, on behalf of America's Health Insurance Plans.
• I then began the grueling process of working with two local departments, the health department and building

Summary: The committee heard several health-related bills. AB 1825 by Krell would clarify California’s offenders with mental health disorders program by tightening the standard for determining “substantial danger of physical harm,” improving exit planning, and expanding Medi-Cal access for people released after a successful challenge. Supporters, including psychiatrists, prosecutors, and medical groups, said the bill would close gaps in care and protect public safety; county behavioral health directors and Disability Rights California registered concerns. AB 1696 by Stephanie would state that nurse midwives do not need physician supervision when providing care within their existing scope, including EMTALA-related evaluation in labor and delivery settings. Nurse midwives and nursing groups supported the bill, while emergency physicians opposed it unless amended, arguing emergency department screening should remain under physician supervision; the author said she would keep working on the issue. AB 1949 by Lee would make acupuncture a separate Medi-Cal benefit and allow up to 24 visits per year. The author and supporters from acupuncture, health access, and integrative medicine groups said the current monthly cap is too restrictive and that acupuncture is an effective, cost-saving alternative for pain management and other conditions. There was no opposition. AB 2330 by Patterson would create a distinct regulatory category for cold spas, with standards for construction, operation, and disinfection. Fitness and wellness groups supported the bill, environmental health administrators had no formal position but thanked the author for amendments, and a committee member raised concerns about local officials interpreting the bill to require separate enclosures from saunas; the author said she would continue working on the language. AB 2000 by Aguirre-Curry would limit mid-year changes to prescription drug formularies and add notice, exceptions, reporting, and enforcement provisions. Family physicians, chronic care advocates, nurses, pharmacists, and patient groups supported the bill, citing non-medical switching and treatment disruptions; health plans and insurers opposed it, warning of higher costs, reduced flexibility, and premium increases. AB 1929 by Ortega would require health plans to disclose investments, including in private prisons and immigrant detention centers. Supporters framed it as a transparency measure tied to patient premiums and public values, while opponents argued the bill was duplicative, burdensome, and potentially harmful to investment confidentiality. AB 2746 by Schiavo would classify medical credit card debt as medical debt so it would not appear on credit reports. Consumer advocates and legal aid groups supported the bill, describing abusive marketing and housing harms; banks, debt collectors, and industry groups opposed it as unworkable and privacy-invasive. The committee took roll on AB 2746 and passed it on a due pass motion to Banking and Finance, with several members voting aye and a few no votes recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• Their regulating body, which is the Insurance Department, is for this bill.
• required to have as regulated by the Insurance Department, because the Insurance Department regulates
• Because it ran through, because the Insurance Department is the one who regulates all bondsmen across
• Insurance Department bills go through the Insurance Committee and then work up to the Business and Commerce
• It's supported by the industry as well as the Department of Consumer Credit. Held questions.

Summary: The committee took up a long list of Senate bills covering business regulation, professional licensing, transportation, tourism, consumer credit, and other policy areas. Among the measures discussed were SB 378 on bail bondsmen regulation and capital requirements, SB 1061 on brokered loans and renewal assessments, SB 1534 on charity enforcement, SB 1684 on liability insurance for highway remediation contractors, SB 1826 eliminating a sunset on the Oklahoma Enterprise Zone Incentive Leverage Act, SB 1217 on real estate touring contracts, SB 1948 on fireworks sales, SB 540 joining a dental compact, SB 1035 on utility contractors working near private property, SB 1475 renaming a bridge as the Toby Keith Interchange, SB 1327 giving the Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Board more authority, SB 2159 designating wheat as the official crop, SB 2049 requiring Transportation Commission review before ODOT bond claims, SB 1447 on prescription drug plan procurement, SB 1443 on anesthesiologist compensation, SB 1641 requiring LLC articles to include an email address, SB 1873 on continuing education dates and hours, SB 265 creating pollinator state designations, SB 1521 on safeguards for conversational AI systems, SB 1326 on self-storage operations, SB 2155 on Route 66 Commission MOUs, SB 1531 on UAS/AAM governance and FAA Part 108 readiness, SB 1824 on corporate code modernization, SB 1653 joining the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact, SB 1920 raising the auto salvage threshold, and SB 1277 on OESC job-search practices. Several bills were amended before passage, including SB 1948, SB 1521, SB 1326, and SB 1531. Testimony and questions focused on practical effects and committee jurisdiction. On SB 378, members pressed for a plain-language explanation of why bail bondsmen’s capital requirements should increase; the author clarified that the bill affects bondsmen’s regulatory capacity, not the amount criminal defendants must post. On SB 1327, members asked why the tourism board had been advisory and whether the change would add expertise and gubernatorial appointment authority. SB 1824 drew concern about impacts on minority stockholders, with the author saying fiduciary protections remain and that the bill is intended to reduce frivolous lawsuits while preserving flexibility. SB 1521 was described as a light-touch child protection bill for conversational AI, adding suicide-prevention protections, parental controls, and transparency requirements. A young FFA ambassador, Lucille Morehouse, presented SB 265 in support of pollinator designations, describing her pollinator project and the importance of pollinators to agriculture and ecosystems. Most measures advanced with little or no opposition, though several recorded dissenting votes. SB 378, SB 1061, SB 1534, SB 1684, SB 1217, SB 1948, SB 1035, SB 1475, SB 1327, SB 2049, SB 1447, SB 1443, SB 1641, SB 1873, SB 265, SB 1521, SB 1326, SB 2155, SB 1531, SB 1824, SB 1653, SB 1920, and SB 1277 were all declared out of committee, with vote totals generally ranging from 11-0 to 15-0 and some split votes such as 12-2, 13-1, 14-1, or 11-2. One bill, SB 1966, was laid over at the sponsor’s request. The chair closed by noting additional bills were still being negotiated, including one involving the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority.

Transcript Highlights:

• Every session we hear concerns about the cost of health insurance, and adding additional taxes to insurance
• However, in the fully insured market, around 94% of the lives covered are through a nonprofit insurer
• 31:34.159><c> them</c> through a nonprofit insurer most of them through a nonprofit insurer most of them
• c> report</c> the Department of Health's recent report the Department of Health's recent report on<00
• </c><00:51:45.480><c> of</c> legislature to or the Department of legislature to or the Department of

Committee: House Human Services Finance and Policy

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• Up next, we have House Bill 593, Department of Environmental Quality.
• the Department of Environmental Quality.
• at the Department of Environmental Quality.
• We've had some good conversations with the Department of Health and Welfare.
• This language was encouraged to me by former Director of the Department of Health and Welfare, Alex Adams

Committee: Senate Health and Welfare

Keywords: 989, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Lowers the cost of insurance insurance.
• c> because</c><00:03:46.799><c> they</c> out of the insurance pool because they out of the insurance
• the</c> department of revenue following the department of revenue following the required<00:42:37.200
• I've not been department of revenue.
• Um and it requires of the department.

Committee: Joint Finance

Keywords: Finance - Room 216, 3 February, 2026; 10:30 AM, 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Insurance is created by the Legislature to be an insurer of last resort.
• commercial policies to insurers in the state of Florida.
• digital currency by the Department of Financial Services.
• It grants authority to the Public Service Commission, Florida Department of Health, the Florida Department
• We're concerning the Department of Commerce.

Committee: House Commerce Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Despite BCABAs being licensed by the Department of Public Health Board of Registration of Allied Mental
• BCABAs being licensed by the Department of Public Health Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health
• The transplant programs need to know that you're going to have the insurance coverage to take care of
• The transplant programs need to know that you're going to have the insurance coverage to take care of
• Medigap is the supplemental insurance that covers those out-of-pocket costs.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Health Care Financing

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on several health care bills focused primarily on autism services and kidney disease coverage. Committee chairs John Lawn and Cindy Friedman opened by outlining hearing procedures, testimony rules, and filing deadlines, and noted the hearing would be recorded and written testimony accepted. They said the day’s topics included affordability and access to behavioral health services, provider reimbursement, Medicare coverage for vulnerable populations, and MassHealth eligibility asset exemptions. A major portion of the hearing concerned House Bill 4623, which would add board-certified assistant behavior analysts (BCABAs) as a recognized mid-level supervisory role in the MassHealth reimbursement framework to help address long wait lists for autism spectrum disorder services. Representative Lisa Field, actuaries, clinicians, and autism service providers testified that the current two-tier model limits workforce capacity, contributes to long delays, and leaves families waiting months for care. Supporters said the bill could expand access, improve retention, and potentially reduce MassHealth costs, while also helping providers meet growing demand and new administrative requirements. The committee also heard testimony on House Bill 4425 and Senate Bill 2737, which would allow Massachusetts residents under 65 with end-stage renal disease to purchase Medigap coverage. Legislators, dialysis advocates, and patients described high out-of-pocket costs under Medicare, barriers to kidney transplant eligibility without secondary insurance, and the financial strain on patients and families. Testifiers said the change would affect about 846 residents, could modestly increase premiums, and might reduce Medicaid spending by preventing asset spend-downs. Senator Gomez and others spoke from personal experience with dialysis and transplant care. Finally, the committee heard testimony on House Bill 4353 and Senate Bill 2587, which would require regular data-driven review of MassHealth ABA reimbursement rates. Providers and association representatives argued that reimbursement has not kept pace with inflation, workforce shortages, accreditation costs, and new 2026 MassHealth policy requirements, and said the bills would improve transparency and ensure rates reflect the true cost of care. No votes were taken; the hearing concluded with the chairs thanking participants, inviting additional written testimony, and adjourning the meeting.