Video & Transcript : 'Sun Bucks program' :
Page 449 of 500
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board (6-25-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- , which is a community health worker program, and also the East Kentucky Family Medicine Residency Program
- , among many other outreach programs.
- Uh, state directed programs.
- </c><00:53:19.119><c> integrity</c> and abuse, that program integrity and abuse, that program integrity
- </c> if I didn't say the Medicaid program if I didn't say the Medicaid program turns<00:57:13.599><c>
Keywords:
Call to Order and Roll Call – 00:00:00
Introduction of Board Members – 00:02:04
Overview of the Purpose and Goals of the Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board – 00:12:46
Medicaid Legislative Update - 00:20:26
Discussion of Next Steps and Future Meeting Dates – 01:04:06
Adjournment – 01:06:37, 958, all
Summary:
The first meeting of the Medicaid Oversight Advisory Board opened with Chair Ken Fleming and Co-Chair Rocky Adams welcoming members, explaining the board’s purpose, and introducing the diverse membership of legislators, providers, advocates, and state officials. Fleming said the board would meet monthly, allow public comment at the end of meetings, and operate transparently with materials posted online and distributed in advance. Both chairs emphasized that the board’s work would focus on improving Medicaid outcomes, efficiency, and oversight, while preparing for possible federal changes and avoiding premature assumptions about what Congress may do.
Members then gave brief introductions describing their backgrounds in medicine, nursing, hospital administration, behavioral health, insurance, budgeting, pharmacy, and Medicaid administration. Several noted direct experience with Medicaid populations or managed care, including the Department for Medicaid Services commissioner, health plan representatives, hospital and clinic leaders, and legislators with health care backgrounds. The board also heard from Stephanie Bates of the LRC Office of Health Data Analytics, who said her office supports the General Assembly with health-related data, policy, and research and would serve as a resource to the board.
Bates then began a presentation on Medicaid basics, explaining that House Bill 695 created the board and that the presentation would cover eligibility, enrollment, covered benefits, waivers, managed care, the budget, and the federal reconciliation bill. She described Medicaid eligibility as complex, noted that Kentucky had more than 1.4 million enrollees, and explained enrollment churn and the unwinding of pandemic-era continuous coverage. She also outlined mandatory and optional Medicaid benefits, the requirement that services be medically necessary and provided by enrolled providers, and the main waiver types used in Kentucky, including 1115, 1915(b), and 1915(c) waivers. No votes or formal actions were taken at this meeting beyond organizational setup and receiving the initial informational presentation.
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
HOU, HOU DEFER, HOU Public Hearings 02-03-2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, we'll rename the program from permanently affordable for-sale housing program to Housing for Locals
- Forever program.
- </c> bond volume cap recycling program bond volume cap recycling program referenced<00:21:09.440><c>
- ><c> from</c> we'll rename the program from we'll rename the program from permanently<00:21:55.360><c
- to housing for locals forever program to housing for locals forever program. program. program.
Summary:
The Senate Committee on Housing heard and then took action on a series of housing-related bills concerning HHFDC, HPHA, inclusionary zoning, nonprofit housing trusts, housing project exemptions, the rental housing revolving fund, and a new for-sale housing program. Testimony was generally supportive from HHFDC and HPHA, with additional support from groups such as Hawaii YIMBY, Grassroot Institute of Hawaii, Hawaii Appleseed, Housing Hawaii’s Future, Holo Collaborative, the Kobayashi Group, and others. On SB 2424, the Kobayashi Group argued the bill would help open housing to a broader pool of local households, including buyers slightly above income limits who still cannot afford market-rate housing. On SB 2342, the chair asked HHFDC for final figures on rental housing revolving fund appropriations since 2016 and was told the amount was about $1.1 billion, including conveyance tax revenue.
In decision-making, the committee recommended passage of SB 2189 with amendments, noting concerns about transparency and accountability in HHFDC’s loan-award process; SB 2190 with amendments; SB 2234 with amendments; SB 2177 with amendments; SB 2194 unamended; SB 2342 with amendments; SB 2060 with amendments; and SB 2070 with amendments. The committee deferred SB 2195 and SB 2196 after testimony comments, and deferred SB 2063 because the chair said SB 2060 would be used instead as the vehicle for mixed-income subaccount changes. SB 2424 was discussed in hearing but then deferred in decision-making pending legal advice on issues including owner-occupancy, county income restrictions, buyback rules, and county council approval. The committee also heard testimony on SB 2062 and its proposed SD1, but deferred that measure because the relevant changes had already been incorporated into SB 2060 SD1.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Health Committee Apr 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- California currently has no licensed midwife programs and only one nurse midwifery program accepting
- in California and is the foundation for two new programs.
- And these programs last anywhere from three to seven years.
- is also... ...federal family planning program grantee for 55 years and is also proud to be the program
- administrator of three state abortion access grant programs.
Summary:
The Assembly Health Committee met on April 8 and heard a long series of bills, beginning with AB 54 on medication abortion access. The author and supporters, including the Attorney General’s office and reproductive justice advocates, said the bill would protect California’s medication abortion supply chain and shield providers and manufacturers from civil, criminal, and professional liability. Opponents from the California Family Council argued the bill removes safeguards and increases risks. The bill was moved forward on a committee motion.
The committee then heard several reproductive and public health measures, including AB 551 to create a pilot program supporting emergency departments in providing reproductive health services, AB 260 to protect medication abortion access and telehealth, AB 309 to remove sunset dates on laws allowing pharmacy syringe sales and lawful possession of sterile syringes, AB 536 to preserve colorectal cancer screening coverage if federal guidelines are challenged, AB 804 to make housing support services a Medi-Cal benefit, AB 594 to address student health insurance billing and transparency, AB 836 to study and expand the midwifery workforce, AB 1418 to collect data on health coverage for eligible employees, and AB 1500 to maintain and expand the abortion.ca.gov information site. Supporters emphasized access, preventive care, workforce shortages, and public health benefits, while opponents raised concerns about abortion, syringe distribution, and the focus of state resources. Most measures were advanced by committee vote, with roll calls showing broad support and a few no votes from members on some bills.
The final bill discussed in the transcript was AB 1037, which would update substance use disorder laws to reflect evidence-based, harm-reduction approaches and remove barriers to treatment. The author and supporters described it as a compassionate response to overdose and treatment access problems, while law enforcement opposition argued it would encourage drug use and endanger communities. The transcript cuts off during testimony on AB 1037, so no final committee action on that bill is shown in the provided text.
NV
Nevada 2025 Regular Session
Senate Committee on Government Affairs May 30th, 2025 at 03:30 pm
Government Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- The fund was established as a grant program.
- The fund was established as a grant program.
- “So that program is in place.
- These are programs we do.
- And we certainly market our program.
Committee:
Senate Government Affairs
FL
Florida 2026 5th Special Session
Fiscal Policy Apr 22nd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- It establishes a grant program for the critical infrastructure mapping grant program, very similar to
- as we do with other similar loan programs.
- , and other self-betterment programs.
- , and other self-betterment programs.
- program is already providing these services.
Summary:
The committee met and first reported favorably CS for SB 1782, which creates a new offense for dangerous excessive speeding, with support noted from the Orange County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida PBA. It also reported favorably CS for SB 306, which addresses Medicaid managed care provider network access by requiring after-hours and holiday appointment availability and a minimum level of primary care participation. CS for SB 716, imposing mandatory minimum sentences for certain sexual offenses committed by registered sex offenders or predators, and CS for SB 1084, expanding protections against non-consensual dissemination of intimate images and digitally forged intimate images, were also approved.
The committee then approved CS for CS for SB 1604, a corrections package that would require prepayment of court costs for certain inmate lawsuits, shorten the limitations period for confinement-condition claims, allow consecutive sentencing in some cases, and revise mental health treatment procedures in correctional settings. Members discussed constitutional concerns and access-to-courts issues, but the bill was reported favorably. CS for CS for SB 1804, which creates a capital offense for trafficking a child 12 or younger or a mentally incapacitated person for sexual exploitation, drew extensive debate and opposition from the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, the Florida Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, and Floridaans for Alternatives to the Death Penalty; despite objections about constitutionality and ethics, it was reported favorably.
The committee also approved CS for SB 1838, expanding protections for court officials against tampering, harassment, and retaliation, and CS for CS for SB 890, the Emily Adkins Family Protection Act, which creates a statewide VTE registry and requires blood clot screening and training in hospitals and care facilities. Members and public witnesses spoke in strong support of the blood clot bill, including family members and survivors. Finally, the committee reported favorably CS for SB 1252, directing FDLE to study a statewide pawn data database, CS for SB 468, increasing penalties for fleeing or eluding law enforcement and allowing vehicle impoundment, CS for SB 490, expanding off-duty concealed carry eligibility for correctional officers and correctional probation officers, and CS for SB 572, the Pam Rock Act on dangerous dogs, which was amended to refine enclosure, confiscation, euthanasia, and insurance requirements.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Environment, Climate and Legacy - 03/27/25
Environment, Climate, and Legacy
Transcript Highlights:
- far right column were the right program far right column were the which<00:11:19.120><c> programs</c
- There's a carveout of program.
- </c><00:17:03.680><c> Lines</c> humanities center programs. Lines humanities center programs.
- It is just a grant program, a competitive grant program.
- </c> program after school learning program. program after school learning program.
Committee:
Senate Environment, Climate, and Legacy
HI
Hawaii 2026 Regular Session
HLT/HSH Joint Public Hearing - Wed Feb 4, 2026 @ 9:00 AM HST
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:11:54.720><c> like</c> anything set up to run a program like anything set up to run a program
- Number one, program will operate.
- </c> program's community safety program plan. program's community safety program plan.
- . program. program.
- . programs. programs.
Summary:
The joint hearing opened with House Bill 1969, which would provide state funding for colorectal cancer screenings for uninsured and underinsured residents. The Department of Human Services said it supports the goal of early screening but would need new administrative capacity, including a program manager and claim pre-screening, to run the program. The Department of Health supported the measure and cited low screening rates in Hawaii, noting an educational campaign to encourage screening. The Insurance Division raised concerns about reliance on federal FAQs, warning that guidance can change and may create state cost exposure. Supporters including the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and the Hawaii Medical Association argued the bill would close a preventive-care gap, reduce late-stage diagnoses, and save long-term costs; the committee also discussed implementation costs, estimated by DHS at roughly $1.4 million to $2 million annually plus administrative expenses, and a 6-month to 1-year timeline to establish the program.
The committee then took up House Bill 1965, which would require health carriers to spend at least 6% of total medical expenditures on primary care providers. The Insurance Division said several provisions raise technical and legal concerns, including the premium freeze, the medical loss ratio language, the lack of an existing external review process for downcoding claims, and a new mandate for medically necessary inter-island transportation that could trigger an ACA defrayal. The Department of Human Services supported the intent but suggested broader language to include primary care supports and services, and noted that QUEST integration plans already invested at least 9% of total medical expenditures in primary care in 2024, with additional spending on supports and low-value care reductions. State health planning officials strongly supported the bill as an investment in primary care, saying it could improve outcomes and lower long-term costs, though they acknowledged a possible temporary premium increase during the transition.
Testimony in support emphasized Hawaii’s physician shortage, especially on Maui, the Big Island, and other neighbor islands, and warned that clinics are under financial strain and may close without higher primary care reimbursement. The Hawaii Healthcare Task Force, AARP Hawaii, and other supporters said the bill would help retain providers, improve access for Medicare and Medicaid patients, and prevent downstream costs from emergency room use and avoidable hospitalizations. No votes or final committee action were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.
NH
Transcript Highlights:
- That's language letters program.
- </c> kindergart readiness readiness program. kindergart readiness readiness program.
- I've not heard of a worse program.
- Um and it's heard of a worse program.
- </c> training programs. training programs.
Committee:
Senate Education
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:03:16.560><c> uh</c> an existing program uh an existing program uh with<00:03:17.440><c> a</c
- </c><00:10:37.400><c> in</c><00:10:37.480><c> 2023</c> to this program in 2023 to this program in 2023
- </c> different and that's how this program different and that's how this program will<00:21:02.920><c
- </c> assistance program. assistance program.
- </c> medical assistance program. medical assistance program.
Bills:
HF3425
Committee:
House Ways and Means
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee 3/12/25
Transportation Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- </c> trunk highway so therefore the program trunk highway so therefore the program or<00:20:53.159><c
- </c> In order to evaluate the entire program.
- </c><00:25:26.760><c> that</c> a stip or a tip um to program that a stip or a tip um to program that
- Also troubling is how this program is being implemented.
- Also troubling is how this program is being implemented.
Committee:
House Transportation Finance and Policy
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Formal House Session 94 Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Massachusetts House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- and the very successful no-cost calls communication program as well.
- The Section 35 program is set at $14 million, while the no-cost calls program is $12 million in this
- They are participating in the Professional Fellows Program, a U.S.
- Department of State two-way global exchange program.
- The Professional Fellows Program is a two-way global exchange program designed to promote mutual understanding
Summary:
The House took up several routine and ceremonial matters first, including a resolution honoring the Solomon Northup Committee and commemorating the arrival of the Solomon Northup sculpture in Boston, which was adopted. Members also adopted an order extending the Revenue Committee’s reporting deadline on House No. 4606, concurred in a Senate sick leave bank petition for Jeffrey Yatson, and suspended Joint Rule 12 for a similar sick leave bank petition for Jean McCarran. The House then advanced House No. 4413, a bill on the terms of certain Commonwealth bonds, to third reading and later passed it to be engrossed.
The main floor debate centered on House No. 4601, the fiscal year 2025 supplemental appropriations bill. The bill was described as a $2.25 billion supplemental budget with a net Commonwealth cost of about $750 million, covering MassHealth, snow and ice deficiencies, Home Base, universal school meals, reproductive health care supports, a sports and entertainment fund, and other items. The bill also included outside sections on public health and finance, and it ratified seven collective bargaining agreements. The House adopted Amendment 70, which added Health Safety Net funding measures, including higher hospital assessments and a $50 million transfer from the Commonwealth Care Trust Fund, after supporters said it would help avert a projected shortfall and generate federal Medicaid revenue. A separate amendment on Home Base eligibility was rejected.
The House also adopted a consolidated amendment that included provisions affecting western and central Massachusetts municipal health insurance costs and changes to violent injury benefit language for first responders, including clarifying the definition of a weapon and tightening the standard for covered injuries. Another consolidated amendment was adopted by roll call, and the bill itself was then passed to be engrossed by a recorded vote. The session ended with an order to meet the next day at 11 a.m. and a motion to adjourn in memory of former House members Thomas and George, which was agreed to before adjournment.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- Program benefits referred to the Committee on Human Services HP 3715 by Morales of Harris relating to
- HB 318 by GEA relating to the establishment of grant program to provide financial assistance to qualified
- HB 322 by again relating to the use of funds awarded to the job and education for Texans grant program
- HB 334 by our dads relating to the establishment of county employees family leave pool program referred
- nutritional assistance programs, recipients of the cost of certain food delivery services refers to
TX
Texas 89th Regular
Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII Feb 26th, 2025
Appropriations - S/C on Articles VI, VII, & VIII
Transcript Highlights:
- The four programs currently three are set up.
- ERCOT generation loan program, a completion bonus program for an ERCOT generation. generation, an outside
- ERCOT loan and grant program, and a backup power. package.
- Wow, so we're talking $10 billion for this program.
- by expanding that program, why would we do that?
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Joint Committee on Public Service Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Joint Committee on Public Service
Transcript Highlights:
- , ensuring that one third of every firefighter's class comes from the Boston Cadet Program.
- , ensuring that one third of every firefighters class comes from Boston Cadet Program.
- This program is not meant to replace the fire academy.
- The fire cadet program was a step toward fixing that.
- I understand that before the fire cadet program—what is it now?
Committee:
Joint Joint Committee on Public Service
Summary:
The Joint Committee on Public Service heard testimony on a wide range of bills affecting public employees, retirees, and public safety personnel. Early testimony focused on House Bill 2859, which would make Massachusetts Department of Correction industrial instructors permanent civil service employees after years of provisional status, and House Bill 2995, which would reduce the Boston Fire Cadet Program service requirement from two years to one year. Supporters of the Boston fire cadet bill argued it would improve equity, expand opportunities for Boston residents, and help diversify the Boston Fire Department; committee members asked about the current makeup of academy classes and the effect of a hybrid model, and the Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association was described as neutral on a separate age-related police bill.
The committee also heard several proposals related to post-retirement earnings and civil service rules for police and fire retirees. Testimony supported bills including H. 2903 and H. 2966, which would loosen earnings limits for retired public safety workers returning to work, and related measures affecting civil service exemptions and professional services for retirement boards. Speakers argued the current limits are confusing, discourage experienced workers from filling needed municipal jobs, and can create safety issues on public works and construction sites. One witness from Worcester Police supported raising the police academy age limit from 32 to 39 to improve recruitment, especially in BIPOC communities, while Boston City Councilor Gabriela Coletta Zapata supported a separate bill to raise the Boston Police Academy age cap from 39 to 45.
A substantial portion of the hearing was devoted to H. 2812 and S. 1817, which would increase the pension COLA base from $13,000 to $18,000 and freeze certain retiree health insurance contribution rates, with additional testimony about capping out-of-pocket health costs for some retirees. Educators and union representatives said the current COLA structure has eroded pension value and leaves retirees struggling with rising costs, while one witness described long delays and confusion in navigating retiree health coverage. The committee took no substantive votes on the bills during the hearing and adjourned after hearing all testimony.
AL
Alabama 2026 Regular Session
Alabama Joint License Plate Committee Apr 8th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Um, it's a free book gifting program for children 0 to 5 years old. The cost is shared in Alabama.
- We have a statewide program.
- in each county to help take the program in each county to help take the burden<00:05:51.600><c> of</
- </c><00:06:17.919><c> and</c><00:06:18.080><c> I</c> >> Very familiar with your program and I &
- </c><00:06:20.800><c> and</c> are very familiar with your program and are very familiar with your program
AZ
Arizona 2026 Regular Session
03/19/2026 - Senate Health and Human Services
Senate Health and Human Services COR
Transcript Highlights:
- And then what about the intensive outpatient program?
- Okay, and what about for the intensive outpatient program?
- So, during our last hearing in January, you were not able to explain the TI program.
- Today, can you explain to the committee now what the Targeted Investment Program is?
- And when was the TI program assigned to you in your leadership? In my leadership?
Committee:
Senate Senate Health and Human Services COR
Summary:
The Committee on Health and Human Services held another oversight hearing on Access, focusing on fee-for-service behavioral health management, prior authorization and claims processing, the Targeted Investment Program (TIP), and network adequacy. The chair criticized Access for implementing a covered behavioral health services guide without public comment and for failing to produce records such as decision-making documentation, work group minutes, and public/tribal feedback. Members also raised concerns about ARPA compliance, the reduction of intensive outpatient reimbursement to a $157 per diem, and the impact of these actions on providers and Native American communities.
Interim Director Roberta Harrison said Access had improved fraud controls and operations after the sober living fraud crisis, including tripling prior authorization speed, reducing denial codes by 64%, cutting claims processing to under 30 days, and adding dashboards and staffing. She said the agency is modernizing outdated systems and invited fraud referrals. On questions about claims and prior authorizations, Access reported average processing times of six days overall and 17 days for behavioral health prior authorizations, and said it had hired Constellation under a direct procurement to help with claims backlog. Harrison acknowledged that a proposal language suggesting higher ROI from denying more claims was not part of the contract scope.
The committee also pressed Access on TIP delays. Staff explained that TIP payments depend on provider documentation, programmatic review, and allocation across many sites, and said year one of TIP 2.0 had been paid while years two and three had not yet been distributed. The chair requested a formal plan within 30 days to pay the delayed year two and year three TIP funds, estimated at about $122 million, along with all CMS-related TIP 2.0 documentation. On network adequacy, Access described its standards and annual MCO reporting process, but acknowledged gaps in tracking and said it would follow up on whether a fiscal year 2025 report was submitted to CMS. Members cited a federal ghost network report finding 28% of providers in Santa Cruz County inactive or unavailable, and requested unredacted network adequacy reports and further information on CMS engagement. The hearing ended with the chair noting some improvements but saying more oversight may follow, and the committee adjourned.
MO
Missouri 2026 Regular Session
Elementary and Secondary Education Mar 11th, 2026
Elementary and Secondary Education
Transcript Highlights:
- How many people would be trying to work that program?
- So work study program that goes along with all that. Okay, okay. Thank you.
- So work study program that goes along with all that. Okay, okay. Thank you.
- We cannot take on new programs.
- They already have programs in place.
Committee:
House Elementary and Secondary Education
Summary:
The Committee on Elementary and Secondary Education met in executive session and public hearing, with a quorum present. It first voted House Bill 1767, described as the educator and parent bill of rights combination bill, due pass by a 14-1 vote with one present. The committee then considered House Bill 2918, which was amended by a substitute focused on defining school-sponsored media as a news source and distinguishing news from commentary or editorial content; the sponsor said the changes were intended to promote balanced, truth-in-labeling journalism and to protect only bona fide news sources. The substitute was adopted, and the House Committee Substitute for HB 2918 passed 11-3 with three present.
The committee also voted House Bill 2304 due pass by a 10-4 vote with three present, though the transcript does not describe the bill’s subject. The committee then moved out of executive session and heard House Bill 2772, sponsored by Representative Melissa Douglas, which would create a postsecondary McKinney-Vento-style liaison for students experiencing homelessness. Douglas said the bill would help students transition from K-12 homelessness supports into higher education by giving them a designated point of contact in financial aid, and she noted that a substitute would remove earlier appointment and donation provisions and leave implementation to higher education institutions.
Committee members asked about the liaison’s qualifications, duties, staffing, and fiscal impact, and Douglas said the substitute removed the most controversial appointment requirements and was intended to be a zero-fiscal-note approach. Supporters testified that the bill would improve coordination and help homeless and foster students persist in postsecondary education. An opponent argued the proposal duplicated existing services, would be costly, and was unnecessary given current state, federal, and nonprofit supports. No vote was taken on HB 2772 before the hearing ended and the committee adjourned.
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Health Care & Wellness Feb 4th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- I wanted to start off with an overview, a general overview of what the program is.
- Aren't there two different, distinct private duty nursing programs?
- So there is one program, the MICP program, that covers kids, but as Heather talked about, HCA kind of
- We met with our state Board of Registration of Nursing to talk about this program.
- At the bottom, we have some additional feedback on specific aspects of the program.
Summary:
The House Health Care and Wellness Committee met at policy cutoff and first took up executive session on four bills. It considered a proposed substitute for HB 1589 on health carrier contracting practices, which would require carriers to provide providers advance notice and clean copies of contract changes and payment methodologies, and would also add notice requirements for significant payer contract modifications. The committee also considered HB 2402 on phthalates in IV solution containers and tubing, with a substitute delaying implementation dates and creating shortage and FDA-related exemptions. HB 2555, concerning Medicaid coverage of traditional health care practices, and HB 2685, concerning tribal data and disease reporting to tribal health jurisdictions, were also before the committee. HB 2599 was deferred. The committee reported HB 1589, HB 2402, HB 2555, and HB 2685 out of committee with do pass recommendations, with recorded votes showing some members voting no or no without recommendation on the more contested bills.
The committee then held a work session on private duty nursing in the Medically Intensive Children’s Program. Health Care Authority and DSHS staff described how the program serves children with complex medical needs through managed care and fee-for-service pathways, the role of prior authorization and medical necessity review, and the ongoing shortage of nursing staff. They said many approved hours are not filled, especially in rural areas, and that family members often provide unpaid care to fill gaps. Committee members asked about the structure of the children’s and adult PDN programs and about how many authorized hours are actually being served.
The committee also heard testimony from a home care agency representative and a parent caregiver, both of whom described severe staffing shortages and the burden on families when nursing shifts go unfilled. They supported models that would allow trusted family caregivers to be paid for some of the skilled care they already provide. The committee then heard examples from Montana and Massachusetts of similar family caregiver or complex care assistant programs. Montana described its pediatric complex care assistant model as a gap-filling service with prior authorization and a set hourly rate, while Massachusetts outlined its complex care assistant program, including training, supervision, wage pass-through requirements, and early growth in participation. The meeting concluded after the work session.
OK
Transcript Highlights:
- With me here today is Corey Hall, our chief programs officer.
- Respite programs have been around for over 3 decades and The adoption of these programs is spreading
- across the U.S., with over 150 active programs.
- In our program, we will have on Site clinical staff providing health services.
- For our state, respite programs rely on...
Committee:
House Public Health
Summary:
The meeting focused on hospital “avoidable days” and the difficulty of discharging medically stable patients who still need post-acute placement or social services. Presenters from Saint Anthony Hospital Midtown, the Oklahoma Hospital Association, City Care, and OU Health described common barriers including lack of skilled nursing, rehab, long-term care, behavioral health, and hospice placements; insurance prior authorization delays; Medicaid and Social Security eligibility delays; guardianship and Adult Protective Services bottlenecks; limited home health and private duty nursing; and the challenge of placing unhoused, uninsured, or medically complex patients. Several speakers emphasized that these delays reduce bed availability, increase emergency department boarding, contribute to staff burnout, and expose patients to hospital-acquired conditions and other harms.
The testimony included multiple examples of patients remaining in acute care for days, weeks, or even months after being medically ready for discharge, including patients awaiting guardianship, disability determinations, or placement in facilities willing to accept them. Speakers also highlighted special populations such as patients with behavioral health or substance use disorders, medically fragile children, patients with criminal histories, and unhoused individuals who need respite or hospice care. City Care described its planned 40-bed medical respite facility, set to open in 2027, as a way to provide clinical support and housing navigation for patients too sick to recover on the street or in shelters.
Witnesses recommended policy and system changes such as standardizing preauthorization protocols, expanding rural swing-bed and home-based services, increasing public guardianship resources, improving data collection on homelessness, expanding private duty nursing hours, and creating more placement options for complex patients. They also suggested better coordination between hospitals, DHS, APS, the Health Department, and post-acute facilities, including a database of facility services to improve discharge planning and keep patients closer to home. No votes or formal committee actions were taken in the transcript, but the chair indicated the issue would require collaboration across multiple agencies and partners.
VT
Transcript Highlights:
- </c><00:04:26.320><c> that</c> certified rabies vaccinator program that certified rabies vaccinator program
- But it turns out they were that program.
- So they pulled that out just to give her time to develop a bigger program.
- There was a reorder of the different levels of the program that moved permanent supportive housing to
- There was a reorder of the different levels of the program that moved permanent supportive housing to