Transcript Highlights:

• Health care premiums are skyrocketing.
• COVID-era premium subsidies.
• SO THIS IS NOT WHAT IS AFFECTING OTHER PEOPLE'S PREMIUMS.
• PREMIUM INCREASES ARE ACTUALLY DRIVEN BY MULTIPLE FACTORS.
• TOLD HER PREMIUMS WILL JUMP TO NEARLY A THOUSAND DOLLARS.

Keywords: U.S. House of Representatives Floor Proceedings on Wednesday, November 12, 2025, 1012, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• They and the classification coding system recently changed to a new terminology.
• They and the classification coding system recently changed to a new terminology.
• They and the classification coding system recently changed to a new terminology.
• They and the classification coding system recently changed to a new terminology.
• They and the classification coding system recently changed to a new terminology.

Keywords: 928, house, all

Summary: The committee first held a public hearing and then an executive session on Senate Bill 401, which DHHS described as a cleanup bill. Testimony from the department explained that the bill would repeal obsolete reporting requirements tied to a repealed municipal reimbursement program and to the now-repealed commission on demographic trends. No one testified in opposition, and the committee voted 12-0 ought to pass, placing the bill on the consent calendar. The committee then heard Senate Bill 402, which would eliminate certain non-compete agreements for physician associates going forward. Senator Gray introduced the bill, and a representative of the New Hampshire Society of Physician Associates said it would improve workforce recruitment and access to care without changing scope of practice or affecting existing agreements. Committee members asked about the length of current restrictions and whether the change would make New Hampshire more attractive to PAs. The committee voted 12-0 ought to pass and sent the bill to the consent calendar. Next, the committee took up Senate Bill 426, which would repeal the permissible fireworks committee. Senator Uler and the deputy state fire marshal said the committee’s original purpose had been overtaken by later changes adopting federal fireworks standards, and that the fire marshal now has the necessary authority. The committee voted 12-0 ought to pass and placed the bill on the consent calendar. Finally, the committee began hearing Senate Bill 469, a DMV modernization bill allowing electronic signatures in place of wet signatures for certain motor vehicle title and registration processes. Senator Lang, Carvana, the New Hampshire Auto Dealers Association, Copart, and DMV staff all supported the measure, saying it would reduce delays, errors, and paperwork burdens. Members asked about AI, consumer protections, costs, and how electronic signatures would work in practice, including in cases involving deceased owners. The transcript cuts off during that hearing before any committee action on SB 469.

Transcript Highlights:

• RATE INCREASES, YOU'LL NOTICE THE 12.8% AVERAGE IN THE BOTTOM AND GREEN AND WE PROVIDED THE AVERAGE PREMIUM
• IN THE ACA MARKET THROUGH THE INCREASED SUBSIDIES REALLY ENHANCED ADVANCED PREMIUM TAX CREDIT.
• >> IN 2021 THE AMERICAN RESCUE PLAN WAS PASSED AND THAT PROVIDED AN ENHANCED PREMIUM TAX CREDIT.
• >> PREMIUMS DID STAY LEVEL, YOU SAW MODEST INCREASES OVER THAT >> PREMIUMS DID STAY LEVEL, YOU SAW MODEST
• AND THEN THE TOP LINE THE LOWEST PRICE YOU HAD THE TOP TWO YOU HAD SOME ZERO PRICE PREMIUM PLANS.

Transcript Highlights:

• farmers face both high premiums and high deductibles?
• /c><00:03:57.159> high farmers face both High premiums and high farmers face both High premiums
• formulas and particular exemptions from paying premiums.
• <01:11:56.480> thank premiums thank premiums thank you<01:11:59.000> thank you thank you
• <01:25:04.719> tax we have made enhanced premium tax we have made enhanced premium tax credits

Bills: HF10, HF27

Keywords: undocumented immigrants, state funding, MinnesotaCare, scholarship ineligibility, state assistance, permit to carry, concealed carry, handgun permit, firearm permit, pistol training, sheriff, application process, electronic filing, mail application, fax submission, certified mail, certified delivery, gun rights, Second Amendment, firearms regulation

Transcript Highlights:

• analyzes, and distributes crime and justice-related data, currently they do not fall under a classification
• analyzes, and distributes crime and justice-related data, currently they do not fall under a classification
• c><00:04:11.760> under<00:04:12.400> uh<00:04:12.520> a<00:04:12.600> classification
• don't fall under uh a classification don't fall under uh a classification process.<00:04:13.920>

Keywords: 919, house, all

Summary: The House took up Senate File 4760, a public safety package, and first adopted an amendment to insert House language into the Senate file. Members then heard brief explanations of several included provisions, including a section from House File 3870 that would make Office of Justice Programs research and victim-related data private, clarify privacy for data collected by the Missing and Murdered Black Women and Girls office and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives office, and remove outdated statutory language. Representative Novotny also described the package as combining a number of previously passed stand-alone bills and a few additional provisions. The chamber then adopted amendments A5, A7, and A8. A5 inserted House language and adjusted an effective date related to public employer discretion in hiring; A7 allowed the Office of Legislative Auditor to request BCA fingerprinting and federal tax information as required by federal rules; and A8 clarified language affecting jail medical services and custody-related safeguards after collaboration among Representative Witty, the sheriffs association, the Department of Corrections, and advocates. Representatives Hansen, Moller, and Witty all urged support for those changes. A proposed A3 amendment from Representative Duran, which would have kept the current age of delinquency rather than implementing the previously enacted change, drew extensive debate. Supporters argued counties, law enforcement, and other stakeholders were not ready for the change and lacked infrastructure, while opponents said the 2024 law was intended to address serious gaps in juvenile justice and child welfare and should take effect as planned. After a roll call, the House rejected A3 by a vote of 66 yeas to 67 nays. The transcript then indicates another Duran amendment, A2, was called up, but the excerpt ends before its disposition.

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill, SB 1093, expands the classification of riot to include force or violence that results in property
• So when we're talking about expanding the classification of riot... Mr. Chair, I will.
• So when we're talking about expanding the classification of riot to include force or violence that results
• can all agree that there's an epidemic of gun violence in our country, and by prohibiting the classification
• So SB 1093 is going to expand the criminal classification of riot to include when somebody damages another

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, roll call, and several guest introductions, including recognition of Lutheran Day at the Capitol and the doctor of the day. The chamber also handled routine business such as journal approval, temporary committee substitutions, and multiple motions to move into Committee of the Whole for floor consideration of bills and resolutions. A series of election, campaign finance, immigration, and public safety measures were taken up. Bills and resolutions discussed included SB 1003 on election canvass certification, SB 1006 and SCR 1002 on campaign finance disclosure thresholds, SB 1037, SB 1040, SB 1057, SB 1060, SB 1141, SB 1168, SB 1237, SB 1289, SCR 1010, SCR 1013, and SCR 1014 on various election administration topics, plus SB 1055 and SB 1152 on immigration enforcement and benefits, SB 1058 on firearm transaction merchant codes, SB 1093 on rioting, SB 1308 on a foreign adversary fraud office appropriation, and SB 1160 on drones in entertainment districts. Most of these measures received do-pass recommendations, several with committee or floor amendments, and some were retained on the calendar. The most extensive debate centered on social policy bills affecting transgender people and minors, including SCR 1006, SB 1015, and SB 1095. Opponents argued these measures were discriminatory, harmful to trans youth and families, and an improper intrusion into medical and school decisions; supporters framed them as protecting parental rights, privacy, and children from irreversible medical decisions. SB 1049 on spousal maintenance also drew opposition over a proposed four-year cap. Later, the Senate took third-reading votes and passed SB 1049, SB 1053, SB 1415, SB 1015, SB 1095, and SCR 1006, with recorded roll-call tallies generally around 16-11 or 17-10 on the more contentious measures, and the bills were transmitted to the House.

Transcript Highlights:

• Adjustments to the Executive Director's classification and salary to align with the expanding complexity
• targeted staff salary increases to help bring all staff members to the midpoint of their salary classification
• And that same SAO study recommended that her pay classification. should be bumped from Group 3 to Group
• turnover rate compared The second figure shows the median salary in fiscal year 2024 for a specific classification
• The compensation analysis also identified that 40 out of the 60... 69 unique job classifications at the

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our premiums did time through to 2016. Our premiums did not<01:21:18.880> increase.
• My premiums have gone up.
• My premiums have gone up.
• My premiums have gone up.
• My premiums have gone up.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Without action, premiums Without action, premiums will rise for families purchasing insurance on the
• Redemption prior to maturity, with or without a premium.
• If the amount of premium taxes, or the sum of all premium taxes filed by all insurance companies on any
• In 2019, estimated cost to premiums, $34 million.
• Acupuncture coverage, $18 million, to increase premiums.

Keywords: 981, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Our retiree monthly premiums that we collect once they enroll with us.
• It also gives actual premiums that our members have paid.
• And if we look at the Medicare Advantage, our premiums...
• Our premiums back in 2017 were actually higher than some of the premiums that we have now in 2025.
• And we've had actually lower trends as far as premium increases.

Transcript Highlights:

• system UI Online uh to collect premiums system UI Online uh to collect premiums as<00:37:41.800>
• Reporting and premiums, obviously, that's sort of the payroll deduction and premiums payments, and then
• <00:48:01.880> will then the first quarterly premiums will then the first quarterly premiums
• In 2026, when premium collection starts, they'll use that same system to pay their paid leave premium

• know to pay uh their paid leave premium know to pay uh their paid leave premium much<01:28:26.639

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• premiums.
• Dollar premiums for this population.
• We're opposed to Medi-Cal, and we're also opposed to the premiums, the discriminatory premiums for undocumented
• We're opposed to the premiums, the discriminatory premiums for undocumented immigrants 19 and over, and
• We're opposed to the premiums, the discriminatory premiums for undocumented immigrants 19 and over, and

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health held the first of several hearings on the Governor’s May Revision for health care, with opening remarks focused on the state’s projected $12 billion deficit, looming federal Medicaid changes, and the potential impact on Medi-Cal, public health, reproductive health, and safety-net providers. Several members criticized the proposal as balancing the budget on vulnerable Californians, while others defended the need for cost containment and questioned the administration’s assumptions. The chair set ground rules for respectful, focused questioning and outlined three topics: the Medi-Cal proposals, Proposition 35, and Proposition 56. DHCS Director Michelle Baas presented the May Revision’s Medi-Cal package, saying the department’s budget totals $200.6 billion overall, including $45.2 billion General Fund, and that the proposals are intended to address rising caseloads, pharmacy costs, and managed care spending. She described proposed changes for adults with unsatisfactory immigration status, including a freeze on new full-scope enrollment for those 19 and older, $100 monthly premiums beginning in 2027, elimination of adult dental and long-term care coverage, removal of PPS/RAP payments to FQHCs and rural health clinics for that population, and a pharmacy rebate aggregator. Other proposals included eliminating certain OTC drug classes, removing GLP-1 coverage for weight loss, prior authorization and step therapy changes, reinstating the Medi-Cal asset test, eliminating acupuncture as an optional benefit, allowing utilization management for hospice, raising the managed care minimum medical loss ratio to 90%, reducing PACE capitation rates toward the midpoint of the actuarial range, eliminating the skilled nursing facility workforce and quality incentive program, and suspending the SNF backup power requirement. The LAO said the revised Medi-Cal spending estimate is about $2.5 billion higher than the Governor’s Budget in the budget year, and that the increase appears driven more by higher per-enrollee costs than by caseload alone. The LAO said the budget solutions are concentrated in a few areas, are largely ongoing, and should be considered in light of federal uncertainty, but suggested the Legislature could explore alternatives such as more targeted income thresholds for the undocumented expansion and simpler asset-test rules. Department of Finance officials said the proposals are difficult but necessary to address a third consecutive deficit and rising Medi-Cal costs. Members then pressed the administration on the methodology and impacts of the proposals, especially the enrollment freeze, premiums, asset test, hospice controls, PACE reductions, and the elimination of benefits and provider payments. No votes or formal actions were taken at this hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• My weekly premium is $321.64, and that is weekly.
• So when drug costs spike, so do premiums, jeopardizing affordability and access.
• But state mandates account for more than 17 percent of premiums in Massachusetts.
• But state mandates account for more than 17 percent of premiums in Massachusetts.
• Legislature to examine the effects a law or regulation would have on insurance premiums.

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:

• and you’re late on a premium.
• and you’re late on a premium.
• . premiums. premiums.
• We know that not to pay our premiums.
• So, I paid for my premiums that day.

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• We have the state premium subsidy program.
• We have the state premium subsidy program.
• The $1 premium subsidies.
• Premiums are about $600 a month.
• Some people have much higher premiums, and people have lower premiums.

Summary: The Assembly Budget Subcommittee on Health held a May Revision hearing covering several health-related budget proposals and broader concerns about the state’s budget structure. The Chair opened by praising some May Revision changes, such as added health IT funding, county administration support tied to Medi-Cal changes, a delay in Medi-Cal cuts for some lawfully present immigrants, and additional support for Covered California subsidies, while criticizing proposed increases in Medi-Cal premiums, changes to senior eligibility, the lack of a Medi-Cal dental solution, and other reductions affecting counties, mobile crisis units, workforce incentives, and physician shortages. The Legislative Analyst’s Office said the state’s budget condition remains weak despite progress on the structural deficit, and the Department of Finance said the May Revision uses a mix of reductions, reforms, revenue proposals, and fund shifts to cut out-year deficits. The committee first heard Department of State Hospitals proposals, including adjustments to county bed billing authority, contract exemption language for online clinical/pharmacy subscriptions, reversion of unspent funds, a revised Metro Central Utility Plant replacement project, electronic health record implementation, and workforce development funded partly through Behavioral Health Services Act resources. DSH also described savings and realignments in incompetent-to-stand-trial and conditional release programs, including extending the independent placement panel program and shifting funds to support additional bed capacity and a mental health rehab center. Members asked about the use of BHSA funds for workforce programs, and the department said the proposal would replace General Fund support with BHSA reimbursements. The Emergency Medical Services Authority proposed funding for statewide behavioral health crisis response guidance and for enterprise system development, and the Department of Managed Health Care proposed modernization of its complaint system and claims-settlement data system to improve oversight and comply with AB 3275. The largest discussion centered on the administration’s BHSA spending plan under Proposition 1, including state-directed prevention, workforce, and other uses, plus General Fund offsets for existing programs. The LAO questioned whether some proposed offsets fit Proposition 1’s non-supplant and eligible-use requirements, while the administration argued the uses were consistent with the measure and that the state-directed share can be adjusted annually. The Commission for Behavioral Health’s proposals drew the most public and member concern. The administration proposed cutting the commission’s Innovation Partnership Fund from $20 million to $10 million and reducing the Community Advocacy Program by $6.7 million, while redirecting BHSA dollars to other state purposes and direct services. Commissioners, advocates, and several members argued the cuts would weaken community voice, reduce support for underserved populations, and disrupt grants already in process; they also objected to using BHSA funds to backfill General Fund commitments. Public commenters, including youth, disability, behavioral health, LGBTQ, tribal, veteran, immigrant, and community-based organization representatives, overwhelmingly opposed the cuts and urged preservation of prevention, advocacy, mobile crisis, and innovation funding. No votes or final actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• would experience premium increases of 40% or more.
• People wind up paying hundreds or even thousands of dollars more in premiums.
• would still get the same overall number of dollars in premium.
• Decrease the premiums for everybody.
• Accident rates and on premiums, Madam Chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• Premiums. Insurance is an in-and-out thing.
• That increases premiums.
• Not that they are bad things in themselves, but we look at the effect on premiums.
• No, that does not affect the premiums.
• No, that does not affect the premiums.

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• regulation; HB 4018, sheriff exclusive authority auxiliary; HB 4109, safety school procedures criminal classification
• regulation HB 4018 sheriff exclusive authority auxiliary HB 4109 safety school procedures criminal classification

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, approved the journal, recorded attendance, and recognized several guests and proclamations, including Arizona Health Workforce Well-Being Day of Awareness, the Doctor of the Day, educators visiting the Capitol, and student guests. The chamber also announced temporary committee replacements and received House messages and bill referrals before moving to floor action. On third reading, the Senate passed SB 1014 on health insurance, SB 1016 on employment practices, SB 1050 on state parks board/veterans park access, SB 1054 on referendum power and emergency measures, SB 1177 on public monies and gender-affirming care, SB 1194 on health care services and vaccination-related treatment issues, SB 1398 on AHCCCS, SB 1751 on capital punishment, and SCR 1049, a constitutional amendment proposal related to capital punishment. Several members explained votes, with supporters emphasizing veterans’ benefits, limits on emergency measure abuse, health care access, and policy changes on capital punishment, while opponents raised concerns about worker protections, local government authority, discrimination against transgender people, and the death penalty. Each measure passed by recorded vote and was transmitted to the House. The Senate also noted upcoming committee meetings, including Health and Human Services the next day, and then adjourned until Thursday, March 19, 2026, at 10 a.m.

Transcript Highlights:

• their plan to provide lump sum bonus awards up to five thousand dollars for employees in the classifications
• their plan to provide lump sum bonus awards up to five thousand dollars for employees in the classifications

Summary: The committee first took up several personnel and compensation requests. It approved a Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism reclassification that would trade three administrative coordinator positions for one park superintendent, one maintenance supervisor, and one park manager. It also approved one-time bonus and recruitment plans for the Department of Commerce and Department of Veterans Affairs, including up to $5,000 bonuses tied to the unemployment insurance modernization project and $2,000 bonuses for certified nursing assistants at the state veterans homes. A Department of Health request to reinstate a previously frozen fiscal support manager position for the State Medical Board was also approved; members were told the position was already authorized and would not increase total positions. The committee then reviewed a Department of Commerce reduction in force affecting the Division of Workforce Services for the Blind and Employment and Training divisions. Secretary Hugh McDonald and Workforce Connections Director Cody Waits explained that the cuts were driven by over-obligated federal funds, a prior realignment, and what they described as long-standing fiscal mismanagement in the Division of Services for the Blind. They said 56 employees remained furloughed, five employees in a separate grant group were still working, and 17 positions were on the permanent RIF list. Senators questioned the division’s accountability structure, the role of the independent board, and whether the layoffs were being handled fairly, including a request for racial composition data on the workforce and the RIF group. Members also discussed quarterly employment and overtime reports. Staff explained that the reports cover average staffing levels over each quarter, and members focused on overtime spending, especially in DHS, the Department of Correction, and the Department of Transportation. OPM said overtime is being reviewed, direct care positions remain exempt from the hiring freeze, and agencies have been hiring more staff since the new pay plan took effect. The committee asked for additional reporting on overtime trends, and the meeting adjourned without further action.

Transcript Highlights:

• and these classifications are required federally.
• And the final federal classification is additional targeted support and improvement, known as ATSI.
• classifications and these classifications<00:25:16.000> are<00:25:16.320> required<00:
• 25:16.960> federally classifications are required federally classifications are required federally
• And the final federal um classification And the final federal um classification is<00:26:32.640>

Keywords: Call to Order and Roll Call - 0:00:00 Approval of Minutes – 0:03:50 Robotics Education – 0:04:18 Canopy KY – 0:14:15 Comprehensive Support and Improvement – 0:23:20 Postsecondary Credit Alignment – 0:53:15 Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in K-12 Settings – 1:21:25 Consideration of Referred Administrative Regulations – 2:05:15 Adjournment 2:05:41, 958, all

Summary: The committee opened with a roll call, confirmed a quorum, approved the minutes by voice vote, and recognized a guest of Senator Hickden, retired judge Dan Kelly. The chair then moved through a tight agenda and limited public presentations and questions. The first presentation was on robotics education in Kentucky, led by Representative Chris Lewis, Kentucky FIRST Robotics executive director Kelly Gowen, and students from Whitfield Academy. They argued that robotics should be expanded in high schools as a workforce pipeline for engineering, manufacturing, and advanced technology jobs. The presentation emphasized hands-on learning, industry certifications, teacher development, and a proposed framework to fund robotics education programs statewide. Committee members were not allowed to ask questions because of time constraints. The second presentation was from Canopy Kentucky, led by Adam Watson and founder Scott Collins. They described Canopy’s business and entrepreneurship education programs for fifth graders and high school students, including the NextGen Good Biz initiative and an eight-classroom high school unit. Canopy requested a one-time $750,000 appropriation for fiscal year 2026, matched by private funds, to expand into more schools and rural areas, train educators, and report outcomes. Members asked a brief question about how the programs fit into school schedules and the difference between the elementary and high school offerings. The final presentation, from KDE’s Kelly Foster and Todd Allen, reviewed the state’s school improvement classifications. Foster explained CSI, TSI, and ATSI status, the federal and state legal framework, and how House Bill 298 returned CSI identification to an annual cycle. She reported that Kentucky identified 50 CSI schools on the most recent release, with 53 CSI schools statewide, along with 39 TSI schools and 102 ATSI schools. She also outlined KDE’s support process, including education recovery staff, diagnostic reviews, turnaround plans, and required professional learning for CSI schools.