Transcript Highlights:

• Tim Madden. in the California chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians. Mr.
• and members, Tim Madden representing the California chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians
• AB 360 addresses the need for a comprehensive review of physicians and surgeons. education and training
• That's why I support AB 360 which assesses physician knowledge and helps identify the best ways to bring
• The Life Sciences appreciates the opportunity to support AB 360 today as the bill will assess physicians

Committee: House Business and Professions

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill provides chiropractors with the same expedited credentialing process as physicians, podiatrists
• Current laws provide an expedited credentialing process for physicians, podiatrists, and therapeutic
• Physicians, podiatrists, and therapeutic optometrists are providers that patients often seek out the

Bills: HB854 , HB 1052 , HB1642 , HB2076 , HB3042 , HB3695 , HB3787 , HB4062 , HB4092 , SB213 , SB493 , SB896 , HB5519 , HB4635

Committee: House Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• So primary care physicians, obviously here in the Commonwealth, there's a major shortage.
• And I ask just based upon not only my personal experience struggling to find a primary care physician
• , but people who have reached out to me who are struggling to find a primary care physician.
• So primary care physicians, obviously here in the Commonwealth, you know, there's a major shortage.
• , but people who have reached out to me who are struggling to find a primary care physician.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Summary: The Joint Committee on Ways and Means held a Health and Human Services budget hearing in Clinton, with opening remarks from Chairs Meg Kilcoyne and Robin Kennedy, local officials, and many House and Senate members introducing themselves. The hearing focused on Governor Healey’s FY27 EOHHS and MassHealth budgets, with repeated themes of rising health care costs, federal funding uncertainty, workforce shortages, and access to care in underserved regions. Members also raised concerns about primary care shortages, rural and regional disparities, behavioral health access, maternal health, food insecurity, and the impact of federal policy changes on Massachusetts programs. EOHHS Secretary Kiame Mahaniah said the FY27 EOHHS budget totals $33.7 billion, reflecting mostly non-discretionary growth from health care costs, labor costs, caseload increases, and provider rate pressures. He highlighted targeted investments in foster care, family resource centers, maternal health, youth services, nutrition programs, immigrant legal services, and human service workforce rates, while warning that federal actions could strip roughly $3.5 billion annually from the state’s health care funding. In response to questions, he defended the administration’s cooperation with federal audits and program integrity efforts, discussed the primary care crisis, and said the state is trying to preserve core services while preparing for a more difficult FY28 budget cycle. MassHealth Undersecretary Mike Levine then described two major FY27 challenges: double-digit cost growth and the expected effects of the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act. He said MassHealth’s proposed $22.7 billion gross budget includes a 7.5% increase and relies on a moratorium on new expansions plus targeted reductions, including a $1,000 annual adult dental cap, ending GLP-1 coverage for weight loss only, reducing care management to peer-state levels, and work groups to slow growth in PCA, adult foster care, and adult day health spending. Members questioned the impact on Boston Health Care for the Homeless, preventive care, and regional access; Levine said the changes are meant to preserve sustainability, that children and certain disabled populations remain protected, and that the administration will continue working with providers, advocates, and the Legislature on implementation and longer-term reforms.

Transcript Highlights:

• So primary care physicians, obviously here in the Commonwealth...
• So primary care physicians, obviously here in the common So primary care physicians, obviously here in
• I ask based not only on my personal experience struggling to find a primary care physician, but also
• on people who have reached out to me who are struggling to find a primary care physician. ...to find
• a primary care physician, but people who have reached out to me who are struggling to find a primary

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• We are now going to hear a panel of what looks like maybe physicians—looks like a lot of doctors: Dr.
• Across community health centers, hospitals, and medical practices of all kinds, physicians share with
• I am a family physician.
• I am a family physician and a clinical instructor at Harvard Medical School.
• As resident and fellow physicians, we often work long hours, up to 80 hours a week on paper, often 24

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Public Safety and Homeland Security

Summary: The hearing focused on the Safe Communities Act, House 2580 and Senate 1681, along with related proposals to limit local and state cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, prohibit 287(g) agreements, and expand legal defense for immigrants. Most testimony came from advocates, attorneys, labor leaders, health care professionals, educators, and community members who argued that fear of ICE discourages immigrants from reporting crimes, seeking medical care, attending school, or cooperating with courts, and that a clear statewide policy would improve public safety, due process, and trust in institutions. Several speakers described personal or client experiences involving domestic violence, trafficking, workplace abuse, or children affected by deportation, and many emphasized economic harms to workers, families, and small businesses. Health care witnesses said immigration enforcement is causing patients to miss appointments, avoid emergency rooms, and delay preventive care, with resulting public health consequences. Labor and education representatives said immigrant workers and students are increasingly fearful, and that the state should not allow local police to act as ICE agents or enter 287(g) agreements. ACLU and coalition witnesses cited examples they said showed existing or recent collaboration between local agencies and ICE, including courthouse alerts, vehicle stops, and use of municipal spaces, while also arguing that the bill would still allow cooperation on criminal matters and public safety emergencies. One witness opposed the bill, arguing that serious criminal offenders should be deported and defending ICE’s role. Committee members asked several questions about whether the harms described were widespread or anecdotal, and about the distinction between assisting ICE in civil immigration arrests versus responding to violent or public safety emergencies. Witnesses said the bill was aimed at civil immigration enforcement, not criminal investigations or emergency situations. At the end of the hearing, a committee member requested a study on immigration enforcement’s effect on emergency room wait times, and the committee then adjourned without taking a vote on the legislation.

Transcript Highlights:

• I think it puts physicians in a position of even though they've done their best that they could be, if
• And one of the questions that I remember one of our physicians in the building asking: is this working
• because, in the debate, it was brought up the role of God in saving lives, and I'm married to a physician
• , a family physician, and since 1992, and he's a scientist and one of the things that we've grown in
• And in doing that, give our physicians a chance to use their observational skills and the gift that I

Bills: HB2894 , HB3418 , HB3415 , HB3413 , HB3414 , HB3416 , HB3417 , HB3419 , HB3420 , HB1739 , HB1752 , HB1979 , HB2941 , HB2992 , HB3075 , HB3086 , HB3177 , HB3269 , HB3278 , HB3279 , HB3497 , HB3644 , HB4432 , HB3720 , HB3849 , HB3882 , HB3919 , HB3941 , HB4118 , HB4141 , HB4268 , HB4342 , HB4428 , HB4429 , HB4434

Transcript Highlights:

• Sean Graham with the Washington State Medical Association, representing the state's physician community
• This helps support access to professional conferences and continuing medical education for physicians
• Professional conferences and continuing medical education for physicians and health care providers, which
• Last year, we held a conference dedicated to AI and health care with experts from the physician and tech
• These are important opportunities for physicians to learn about how medicine and care delivery is evolving

Committee: House Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• House Bill 2435, Internationally Trained Physicians Licensure, stipulates that, notwithstanding the section
• Just very quickly, Madam Chair, my concerns are that although we're saying we're recruiting physicians
• by an anesthesiologist, so they should get the same rate of reimbursement, in my opinion, that a physician
• The definition now includes a physician who practices in medicine, surgery, or osteopathic medicine,
• The definition of unprofessional conduct for provisions now includes a physician who practices in medicine

Summary: The caucus reviewed a large number of House bills, mostly on third-read consent or for floor strategy, covering education, health, water, land, energy, housing, taxation, and public safety. Topics included ESA administration funding, AI in schools and legal communications, towing and DUI changes, health facility licensing and nursing records, internationally trained physicians, nurse anesthetist reimbursement, childhood cancer research, cybersecurity encryption, school mental health instruction, superintendent pay and benefits, adoption disclosures in college health settings, anti-Semitism provisions, school safety firearms authorization, coerced abortion penalties, domestic violence testimony standards, border health and terrorism-related bills, and multiple water, land, and state trust land measures. Several members flagged concerns about unfunded mandates, local control, constitutional issues, and special legislation, while others supported bills as technical fixes, public safety measures, or ways to expand access and funding. A number of bills were pulled from consent for further discussion, including HB 2020, HB 2093, HB 2386, HB 2481, HB 2575, HB 2906, HB 2040, HB 2136, HB 2665, HB 2904, HB 2957, HB 2044, HB 2352, HB 2667, HB 2830, HB 2307, HB 2425, HB 2426, HB 2427, HB 2497, HB 2751, HB 2780, HB 2804, HB 2926, HB 4030, and HCR 2052, among others. Some bills were noted as unanimous or split votes, and several were described as party-line or having constitutional problems. The caucus also discussed committee amendments on multiple measures, including changes to water, land, health, and AI bills. The meeting ended with a series of remarks on the late Reverend Jesse Jackson and an “affordability award” presentation to Representatives Lorena Austin and Simacek for work on economic justice and working families. The caucus then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So this is lowering the fee and making it a little bit more accessible for out-of-state physicians to
• So currently, you could be an internationally licensed physician that's practicing in a different country
• they have to pass the final step of the medical licensing exam, which is the same test that all physicians
• who are familiar with making sure that physicians have the standards of care that we have in the United
• So it's not a formal residency program, but they would be able to evaluate the physicians and make a

Bills: HB99 , HB38 , HB165 , HB127 , HB72 , HB151 , SB40 , SB104 , SB136 , SB164

Committee: House House Judiciary

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 38, which would require insurance coverage for specialized wheelchairs, activity chairs, and related mobility devices for people with limb loss or other disabilities, with guardrails limiting the number of covered devices over time. The sponsor and supporters, including the Office of Superintendent of Insurance, Disability Rights New Mexico, the Disability Coalition, physical therapists, and disability advocates, said the bill would improve access, inclusion, and physical activity without significant premium impact. Questions focused on the substitute language, the device limits, and how Medicaid would handle coverage separately. The committee ultimately passed the House Health and Human Services Committee substitute for HB 38 on a 10-0 vote. The committee then approved House Bill 165, which expands the C-PACE financing program to businesses using industrial revenue bonds and clarifies that counties and municipalities are not liable for payments. Support came from economic development and business groups, who said the bill would remove a barrier to energy- and water-efficiency upgrades and encourage investment. The bill passed on a 10-0 vote. House Bill 127 also passed unanimously after discussion of its three parts: a provisional licensure pathway for internationally trained physicians, a telehealth registry for out-of-state providers, and changes to expedited licensure. Supporters said it would help address provider shortages, especially in rural and underserved areas, while the sponsor explained that the amended version includes safeguards such as exam requirements, supervised practice, and a provisional-to-restricted-to-full licensure path. The committee voted 11-0 to advance the bill. House Bill 72, which would increase penalties for distributing certain controlled substances, including methamphetamine, to minors, drew strong support from law enforcement and the chamber of commerce but significant concern from the Public Defender and several members over strict liability, mandatory sentencing, and the breadth of the penalty. After debate over whether the bill could reach low-level or peer-to-peer conduct and whether the penalty was proportionate, the committee voted to table the bill by a 6-4 vote. The committee then took up House Bill 151, a revised childhood sexual abuse statute of limitations bill. The sponsor presented a committee substitute that changed commission appointments, added reporting and solvency-related provisions, and adjusted procedures for compensation and appeals. Members raised concerns about parity, definitions, administrative costs, and how awards would be determined, but the committee approved the committee substitute on a 7-0 vote.

Transcript Highlights:

• The requirements to call oneself a physician surgeon or osteopathic physician surgeon include meeting
• standards of the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education or the Royal College of Physicians
• The proposed substitute would replace these organizations for osteopathic physician surgeons with the
• For physician surgeons, it adds other training boards approved by the Medical Commission.
• For physician surgeons, it adds other training boards approved by the Medical Commission.

Bills: HB2564 , HB2599 , HB1809 , HB2242 , HB2261 , HB2384 , HB2505

Committee: House Health Care & Wellness

Keywords: healthcare, insurance, certification, state regulation, health plan, therapy, psychotherapy, mental health, regulation, professional standards, behavioral health, mental health crisis, crisis response, co-response, co-responder, first responder, EMS, emergency medical services, paramedic, EMT

Transcript Highlights:

• This has been my guiding principle as a physician.
• I've been very fortunate to have a unique and diverse career as a physician.
• The foundation of that professional career has been 30 years as an emergency department physician doing
• And then we have the American College of Emergency Physicians and we have the Nursing Association of
• I think, as an emergency physician and EMS physician, I support other alternatives besides transport

Summary: The Senate Committee on Rules convened, established quorum, and first approved several governor’s appointments not required to appear: Courtney Welsh to the California Housing Partnership Corporation Board, Janessa Goldbeck to the California Veterans Board, and Tom Huntington to the State Parks and Recreation Commission, each by 3-0 vote. The committee also approved reference of bills to committees, the 2026 committee chair/member assignments, the 2026 session schedule, the 2026 holiday schedule, and floor acknowledgments, all by unanimous votes. The committee then heard and advanced two appointments requiring testimony. Dr. Hernando Garzon, nominated as chief medical officer for the Emergency Medical Services Authority, discussed his background in emergency medicine, disaster response, EMS data modernization, local flexibility within statewide standards, ambulance offload time regulations, stakeholder engagement, and alternatives to emergency transport such as community paramedicine and telehealth. Members pressed him on strategic planning, rural and climate-related disaster response, ambulance rate reporting, and how EMSA can better protect vulnerable people during evacuations; his appointment was approved 4-0 and sent to the Senate floor. Stephanie Weldon, nominated as Deputy Director of the Office of Health Equity at the Department of Public Health, described her tribal background, prior public service, and focus on health equity, behavioral health, tribal consultation, data, and community-led programs. Senators asked about measuring outcomes, serving rural communities, balancing equity work amid federal DEI opposition, youth mental health, and preventing fraud or waste through transparency. Public commenters, including tribal, health, and community advocates, strongly supported her nomination. Her appointment was also approved 4-0 and forwarded to the full Senate.

Transcript Highlights:

• It's what we as physicians do every day. We make decisions regarding our patients.
• is in that work or the ability to understand what your coverage requirements or, as a physician, my
• When I think as a physician and I'm caring for a patient, my absolute focus is that they receive the
• I believe, I believe in this body, I believe in the physicians I represent, I believe- I believe we all
• The LPR claims database does include claims data specific to nurses and physicians and to hospitals.

Bills: HB138 , HB335 , HB388 , HB138

Committee: House Insurance

Transcript Highlights:

• And those were the, um, the neuropaths and the naturopathic physicians.
• Physicians, and then the two professions that we added on with the amendment, which are the naturopathic
• Also, along the same lines of that 2023 report, we have 500 chiropractic physicians; twenty-three percent
• Under House Bill 52, 115 chiropractic physicians would be eligible for the credit. Mr.
• I'm a chiropractic physician and president of the New Mexico Chiropractic Association.

Committee: House House Taxation & Revenue

Transcript Highlights:

• Members, I present AB 2311, the Public Hospitals Physician Stability Act.
• They are the only public hospitals in the state that cannot directly employ physicians.
• Members, I present AB 2311, the Public Hospital's Physician Stability Act.
• ability to directly hire physicians.
• This measure strengthens retention for physicians who are part of the licensed physicians from Mexico

Summary: The Assembly convened, established a quorum, and proceeded through a large House of Origin floor file, with the Speaker repeatedly urging members to be at their desks and keep support bills brief. Early actions included dispensing with the journal, re-referring AB 2285 to the Banking and Finance Committee, and then taking up dozens of third-reading items, with many bills passed by voice or recorded vote and others passed temporarily or retained on file. The floor debated and passed a wide range of measures on land use, housing, labor, public safety, health care, utilities, taxation, and consumer protection. Among the bills approved were measures on land surveyor review (AB 1933), nurse midwife access for pregnant and postpartum patients (AB 1696), historic-district transit zoning flexibility (AB 2415), EV charging infrastructure fees and timelines (AB 1820), foreclosure bidding protections (AB 1957), tribal cannabis commerce (AB 2506), outdoor advertising permitting (AB 2024), commercial building permit timelines and third-party plan checkers (AB 2418), DUI penalties (AB 1685 and AB 1687), utility rate transparency (AB 1715), CalWORKs work-penalty changes (AB 1755), dynamic electricity rates (AB 1787), interior designer licensure (AB 1796), compost labeling and contamination rules (AB 1812), modular housing standardization (AB 1815), small claims limits for businesses (AB 1827), Native American Day as a paid state holiday (AB 1841), hospital staffing and maternity access bills (AB 1868 and AB 1882), protective orders tied to release dates (AB 1889), and a series of public health, missing persons, and teacher credentialing measures later in the file. Several high-profile bills drew extended debate. AB 2624, expanding Safe at Home privacy protections to immigrant service providers, prompted sharp disagreement over free speech and alleged limits on online posting, but supporters said it protected workers facing threats and doxing; it ultimately passed 49-19. AB 2023, creating a framework for regulating AI chatbots used by children, was framed as a child-safety measure after testimony about chatbot-related harms and suicide risks, and passed 58-8. Other notable votes included AB 2208 on Medi-Cal protections against federal cuts, AB 2299 on CalFresh/SNAP losses, AB 2115 apologizing to California Native peoples for historic state harms, and AB 2311 on public hospital physician employment; the transcript ends as the Assembly continues working through the remaining file.

Transcript Highlights:

• Physicians continue to be a shortage, and they want to be able to look at the feasibility of that.
• In your amendment, they're going to check on a shortage of physicians and other clinicians.
• Specifically with the amendment, physicians were referenced in the potential of pharmacists were the
• So, I've heard from some residents and some physicians and some...
• <05:12:58.920><c> training</c><05:12:59.400><c> shortages</c> physician training shortages physician

Bills: SB141 , SB124 , SB56 , SJR116 , SB94 , SB37 , SB127 , SB197 , SB66 , SB70 , SB133 , SB160 , SB214 , SB312 , SB52 , SJR62 , SJR75

Transcript Highlights:

• So right now, if we were to take some amendments with DCCA and adding in an ablator or two physicians
• In your opinion, would an ambulance and maybe one physician be sufficient for a boxing event? No.
• Two physicians and one ambulance for a boxing event, yes.
• For boxing and MMA, one ambulance and two physicians. I mean, I have that here.
• </c><00:26:09.399><c> would</c> ambulance and maybe one physician would ambulance and maybe one physician

Summary: The committee heard testimony on several measures, beginning with SB 48 SD2 HD1 relating to combat sports. The Attorney General offered a technical comment on the bill’s effective date, and several testifiers from the combat sports community strongly supported the measure with amendments. They argued that boxing and MMA should be treated separately, that the current regulatory structure has made events too costly and reduced opportunities, and that more local oversight would help revive the sport and give youth a constructive outlet. Committee members questioned whether the bill’s medical staffing requirements would apply to boxing, MMA, or both, and whether the added requirements would increase costs and reduce access. The witness from the combat sports community said amateur boxing is already regulated through USA Boxing, that the DCCA should focus on professional boxing, and that for safety he would support two physicians and one ambulance for boxing and MMA events. The committee then took up SB 117 SD2 HD1 relating to transportation. The Department of Transportation and the Ulon Initiative testified in support, and the bicycling community was listed as supporting as well. Members focused on the bill’s rebate program for electric transportation devices, asking how successful it had been and whether removing the rebate would affect use. DOT said the program began in February 2023 and had issued about 500 rebates totaling roughly $166,000, aimed at helping people without vehicles access transportation options. The department explained that the bill would broaden access and increase the rebate amount, including additional assistance for low-income applicants. Finally, the committee heard SB 897 SD3 HD1 relating to energy and wildfire liability. The Division of Consumer Advocacy, the Public Utilities Commission, the Attorney General, Clearway Energy Group, Ulon Initiative, Kawai K, IBEW Local 1260, and Hawaiian Electric all testified in support, while the Hawaii Association for Justice was listed as opposed but not present. Supporters said the bill would help finance wildfire mitigation and infrastructure improvements through securitization, reduce wildfire risk, and address utility cost and credit concerns. Hawaiian Electric emphasized that the bill is forward-looking, would help protect customers from future wildfire-related cost increases, and requested amendments including a study on a future wildfire recovery fund. In questioning, members pressed Hawaiian Electric on the liability cap, asking whether it would have applied to the Maui wildfires and whether it would cover personal injury or wrongful death; the witness and company counsel clarified that the aggregate cap applies only to qualifying property damage, not personal injury or wrongful death, and said they would follow up on how the cap would calculate in a Maui-type event. Hawaiian Electric also said it would seek financing under the bill if enacted and updated members on settlement funding efforts, including raising the first $550 million in equity and divesting assets to help meet its obligations.

Transcript Highlights:

• John's going to take Section 3, but, um, on the E/M code, it is limited to two per day per physician,
• It's just saying, you know, if this child has more than one problem, that the physician can bill for
• John's going to take Section 3, but, um, on the E/M code, it is limited to two per day per physician,
• It's just saying, you know, if this child has more than one problem, that the physician can bill for
• </c><00:40:57.480><c> to</c> allowed all of the physician to allowed all of the physician to prescribe

Summary: The House Standing Committee on Health Services met with a quorum and took up House Bill 785, as amended by a committee substitute that combined language from HB 785 and HB 787. The bill was described as addressing Medicaid managed care organization (MCO) audits, provider contract notice and amendment procedures, mental health parity compliance, and related transparency requirements. Supporters said the measure would tighten notice to providers, limit repeated contract amendments and rate reductions, require more standardized audit procedures, and add reporting on Medicaid claims, appeals, and grievances. It also includes a provision requiring coverage of at least two evaluation-and-management billable services per physician per recipient per date of service, and a section addressing narcotic/opioid treatment program licensing and reimbursement language. Testimony in support came from Representative Kim Moore, John Inman of BrightView Health, Michelle Sandborne of the Children’s Alliance, and Kelly Cormic of RYSE. They argued that MCOs often use audits and recoupments in ways that are burdensome, opaque, and financially damaging to providers, especially smaller and rural ones. They cited examples of multiple audit requests in short timeframes, large record requests with short deadlines, delayed or absent feedback, and recoupments taken before appeals are resolved. They also said parity laws are not being consistently enforced and that the bill would give the Department of Insurance authority to suspend or revoke an MCO certificate of authority for willful or repeated parity violations. Committee members generally expressed support for provider protections and transparency, while asking for clarification on the narcotic treatment and E/M billing provisions. Tom Stevens of the Kentucky Association of Health Plans testified in opposition, saying the bill is complex to implement and should be handled through the broader Medicaid oversight work of House Bill 9, the MOAB. He said the issues raised were better suited for that bipartisan stakeholder process and noted the committee substitute had not yet been fully reviewed by his group. After discussion, the committee adopted the committee substitute and then moved to a vote on the bill; the roll call began, with several members recorded as voting yes, but the transcript cuts off before the final vote result is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• Bridget Keller, and I am a parent and a physician in the Twin Cities, and I strongly support creating
• As a physician, it's clear to me that one of the greatest barriers preventing people from getting the
• I have experienced this frustration myself personally as a physician and as a parent advocating for my
• </c> Keller and I am a parent and a physician Keller and I am a parent and a physician in<01:01:55.000
• I have experienced this frustration myself personally as a physician and as a parent advocating for my

Committee: Senate Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• She said we need physicians, we need to train more physicians, and we especially need family physicians
• We need physicians. We need thing to do. We need physicians.
• We especially to train more physicians.
• We especially need<01:37:46.800><c> family</c><01:37:47.400><c> physicians.
• We especially need family physicians.

Bills: HF2312

Committee: House Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 1637 protects patients by ensuring that primary care physicians are solely responsible for the accuracy
• Protecting the accuracy of physicians' notes leads to the protection of patient safety.
• supervisor, not the treating physician. ...had their notes changed by a district supervisor, not the
• treating physician.
• Protection of patients starts with diagnoses and treatment plans from their primary care physician, not