Transcript Highlights:

• Of legislative changes, for example, PIT bracket reform, larger refundable credits, things like that.
• I'm trying to pull it up here, but Craig does estimate some losses from shrinking Medicaid rolls as..
• So we can see baked into this some... ...reductions, particularly around the Medicaid side.
• My first term in office, a lot of bipartisan work on reforming... ...the tax code. Mr.
• So... ...what would it look like to do a comprehensive tax reform and to modernize ourselves so that

Transcript Highlights:

• And then there's a real falloff around welfare reform.
• And then there's a real fall off around welfare reform.
• We have a fruit and vegetable prescription health-related social needs Medicaid waiver project.
• It will use Medicaid waiver funding to support fruit and vegetable prescriptions.
• It will use Medicaid waiver funding to support fruit and vegetable prescriptions.

Summary: The House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee held a work session on food systems and food security, with no public testimony. The first panel focused on household food security and data. Marie Spiker of the University of Washington explained what food insecurity means, its health impacts, and the importance of reliable measurement, warning that the federal Census food security data is being terminated and that there is no true replacement. She described Washington’s WaFOOD surveys as a useful complement, not a substitute, and noted that they show food insecurity affects households at a range of income levels. Katie Raines of WSDA described the state’s food systems work, the need for shared data and dashboards, and the role of agriculture in both food production and the hunger safety net. Committee members asked about the $2.2 million state food assistance allocation, the scale of the SNAP gap, and how household size, housing costs, and other factors intersect with food insecurity. The committee then heard from Tracy Roof of the University of Richmond on the history of SNAP and its relationship to agriculture. She traced the program from Depression-era commodity distribution through the modern farm bill, emphasizing that food assistance has long functioned both as anti-hunger policy and as an agricultural and economic stabilizer. She highlighted how SNAP expands during recessions, supports retailers and farmers, and has become more important since the Great Recession because participation stayed high even as the economy recovered. Roof also noted that Washington has relatively high SNAP participation and low payment error rates, but that recent federal changes could reduce eligibility and shift more costs to states. Members asked how Washington compares to other states and why the program is structured as it is. A later panel featured the Washington State Food Policy Forum and a joint systems presentation from the Washington Farm Bureau, Washington Retail Association, and Washington Food Industry Association. The Food Policy Forum described its consensus-based recommendations on food insecurity, climate and water, regional food infrastructure, farmland protection, and farm viability, including more support for producer purchasing, water planning, and farmland conservation. The industry groups presented a systems map showing how agriculture, processing, retail, and transportation are interconnected, and argued that rising costs, regulations, labor and fuel expenses, retail theft, and thin margins make it harder to keep farms and stores viable. They said food security depends on store viability and local agricultural profitability, and promised to provide a more detailed list of policy recommendations. The final panel included state agency staff from DSHS, DOH, and WSDA. Bryce Montgomery said the Basic Food program serves about 920,000 Washingtonians monthly and warned that H.R. 1 could require Washington to pay up to 15% of SNAP benefits, broaden work requirements, and restrict immigrant eligibility. Karen Mullen described DOH nutrition programs, including WIC, farmers market nutrition benefits, fruit and vegetable incentives, and a fruit-and-vegetable prescription program, while noting funding instability and the end of SNAP-Ed. WSDA’s Katie Raines began describing ongoing food assistance and farmer support challenges, including farmer mental health and the need to address food insecurity across both producers and consumers.

Transcript Highlights:

• But as we're entering a time where Medicaid funds are being reduced, we've seen the impacts at a broad
• We know institutionalization, which most people don't want, but much of it is paid through Medicaid.
• also just coincidentally the same year that we passed very detrimental immigration, quote, quote, reform
• Because since 1996, we haven't had real immigration reform since 1986.
• The Commonwealth still needs to enact a comprehensive policy reform aimed at increasing access to care

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Revenue

Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a public hearing focused largely on tax-credit proposals tied to children, families, caregivers, child care, health care workforce development, and public health. A major portion of the hearing concerned bills to expand the state earned income tax credit and child and family tax credit, including H. 3073/S. 1957 and S. 1975. Testimony from advocacy groups, legal services, tax assistance organizations, and health providers supported increasing the EITC match from 40% to 50% of the federal credit, expanding eligibility to immigrant and mixed-status ITIN filers, larger families, younger and older workers, and SSI recipients, and raising the child and family tax credit to $600 per child with inflation adjustments and possible advance payments. Witnesses said these changes would reduce poverty, improve health and educational outcomes, and help families meet basic expenses; committee members asked questions about ITIN filers and expressed support for the policy goals. The committee also heard extensive testimony on S. 1938/H. 3159, An Act Supporting Family Caregivers. Speakers described the scale of unpaid caregiving in Massachusetts and supported a package that would create a refundable tax credit, respite vouchers, workplace and housing protections, unemployment insurance access for those who leave work to care for relatives, a permanent advisory council, and a provision allowing spouses to be paid caregivers under MassHealth. Several witnesses shared personal caregiving experiences, and committee members responded favorably, noting the emotional and financial strain on caregivers and the importance of supporting them as Medicaid and long-term care systems face pressure. Additional bills discussed included H. 3174 on a child and dependent care tax credit, which was presented as a way to offset the high cost of child care; H. 3197/S. 2019 to improve the financial security of family child care providers through a tax credit; H. 3218/S. 1960 to create tax credits for health care preceptors to address workforce shortages; S. 2064 to establish a living organ donor tax credit; S. 2034 to promote healthy alternatives to sugary drinks through a tiered tax; H. 3015 to create a tax-return checkoff for the YMCA Youth and Government Program; and several public testimony ideas including vaccination, literacy, and grade-improvement tax credits. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing, which ended after all testimony was heard.

Transcript Highlights:

• The Special Committee on Property Tax Reform will come to order, Madam Clerk.
• The Special Committee on Property Tax Reform will come to order. Madam Clerk, please call the roll.
• One of the things, a couple of things I want to point out as well, to our Medicare and Medicaid facilities
• One of the things that I don't think everybody's aware of is RCFs and ALFs don't even have a true Medicaid
• One of the things that I don't think everybody's aware of is RCFs and ALFs don't even have a true Medicaid

Committee: House Special Committee on Property Tax Reform

Transcript Highlights:

• Kicking people off of food benefits and Medicaid will shove hundreds of thousands of Minnesotans out
• 17.040><c> and</c> Kicking people off of food benefits and Kicking people off of food benefits and Medicaid
• will shove hundreds of Medicaid will shove hundreds of thousands<00:02:19.520><c> of</c><00:02:19.840
• last session who embarked on an effort last session who embarked on an effort to<00:14:24.320><c> reform
• uh one of the pro public to reform uh one of the pro public programs<00:14:27.279><c> HSS</c><00:14:

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 4, the tort reform bill, which included a one-word statute governing how medical costs are presented
• And I think I said Medicaid, but Medicare, thank you.
• Medicare is significantly higher than Medicaid rates for the vast majority of services. Thank you.
• Medicare is significantly higher than Medicaid rates for the vast majority of services.
• With tort reform. I've got the same problem as he has. Now I'm looking through her to him. Yeah.

Bills: SB1540 , SB2225 , SB2284 , SB2382 , SB2487 , SB2514 , SB2595 , SB2876 , SB2877 , SB3031 , SB2753 , HB45

Committee: Senate State Affairs

Summary: The Senate Committee on State Affairs heard Senate Bill 3031, which would expand aggravated assault to cover certain road-rage shootings involving a person in or traveling to or from a motor vehicle, when a firearm is discharged and causes injury, property damage, or fear of serious bodily injury. Senator Schwertner laid out the bill for the author, described it as closing a gap in the law, and there was no public testimony; the bill was left pending. The committee then heard Senate Bill 2514, a measure by Chairman Hughes aimed at creating a DPS unit to identify, investigate, and monitor hostile foreign influence operations and to require ethics training for state employees. Supportive invited testimony from Dr. Jacqueline Deal, Ambassador Kelly Curry, and Michael Lucci emphasized threats from the Chinese Communist Party, transnational repression, cyber intrusion, and state-level influence efforts, and argued Texas should take a leading role. Public testimony included opposition from speakers who raised concerns about free speech, privacy, and potential overbreadth. The bill was left pending after testimony closed. Finally, the committee took up Senate Bill 30 as pending business and discussed a committee substitute. Senator Schwertner explained that the substitute would limit admissible medical expense evidence to amounts paid or up to 300% of Medicare, clarify treatment of provider testimony and attorney-referred providers, remove a requirement that plaintiffs use available health insurance to mitigate damages, strike a unanimous-verdict requirement for non-economic damages, and delete a remittitur provision. Senators questioned the impact on sexual assault and child abuse survivors, the use of Medicare as a benchmark, and whether the bill would still allow fair compensation. After discussion, SB 30 was left pending and the committee recessed subject to the call of the chair.

Transcript Highlights:

• In some cases, this is appropriate for a wide range of reasons, ranging from. the necessity of Medicaid
• Legislation, H.R. 1, which had deep reductions regarding Medicaid, SNAP, and other safety net programs
• That are at risk of being denied access to Medicaid, so denied access to health care coverage.
• That's under 65 and has a dependent under 14 is at risk of losing Medicaid unless they choose not to
• That, why was the study on tort reforms not included in here?

Committee: House House Appropriations & Finance

Transcript Highlights:

• keep their morale high and make sure that those who were hired after that date in 2012, when these reforms
• You're actually seeing what reform does.
• And so reforms are working to where now the state can start reducing that contribution.
• So I am now fully supportive of your bill and appreciate the reform you and Representative Osborne are
• I don't know that you'll ever be able to point to it directly, but that combined with the reforms that

Bills: HB1675 , HB3242 , HB1739 , HB3320 , HB3047 , HB4434 , HJR1089 , HB4432 , HB3718 , HB3705

Committee: Senate Rules

Keywords: emergency management, severe weather, youth camp, summer camp, overnight camp, day camp, outdoor education, adventure camp, wilderness program, campground safety, tornado preparedness, flooding, flash flood, high winds, hail, lightning, extreme heat, extreme cold, wildfire smoke, evacuation plan

Transcript Highlights:

• Medicaid enrollees outside of regular business hours.
• I'm good with this law being a mayor of the prison Litigation Reform Act.
• The it was a question on the Medicaid waiver that had to be required to do that.
• So this would require a AHCA to develop a comprehensive plan to redesign the entire Medicaid Medicaid
• The Medicaid program covers mammograms and breast cancers already.

Transcript Highlights:

• commercial buildings telecommunication services; SB 1370, Patriotic Youth Program school access; SB 1372, Medicaid
• SB 1372, Medicaid dental benefit study committee; SB 1373, appropriation center youth employment program
• across Arizona, who are committed to educating children, and whereas the vital cause of education reform
• , supporting initiatives such as the Migrant Health Start, middle school advocacy, just migration reform

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, then approved the journal and recorded attendance. Members observed a moment of silence for former Representative Noel Campbell, and several guest groups were recognized in the gallery, including Greater Phoenix school district leaders, GCU Government and History Club students, Arizona Food Bank Network representatives, and local and tribal officials visiting for appropriations and transportation-related discussions. The chamber also adopted a proclamation recognizing International Holocaust Remembrance Day. Senators and guests offered remarks about the Holocaust, rising antisemitism, and the importance of education and remembrance, followed by a moment of silence. Later, the Senate received and unanimously adopted House Concurrent Resolution 2045 honoring the life and public service of former Congressman Raul Grijalva, with members of the Grijalva family present on the floor and several senators sharing personal tributes. The Senate then processed a long list of governor’s nominations, first readings, and second-reading bill referrals, including measures on natural resources, education, health, public safety, elections, taxation, utilities, and appropriations. Senator Bolick also read a proclamation for National School Choice Week. The body recessed briefly, returned to consider SCR 1036 on Attorney General public statements, and then received committee announcements before adjourning until the next day.

Transcript Highlights:

• It keeps Medicaid dollars in New Mexico and encourages laboratories to expand or relocate operations
• We currently serve 47% of Medicaid members in SED treatment.
• We currently serve 47% of Medicaid members in SED treatment.
• The top says Medicaid fee schedule versus legislative proposal.
• I would then be billing the MCO, Medicaid, the larger G-code of $370.

Committee: House House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:

• One hundred percent of the survey respondents indicated that access to Medicaid, SNAP, TANF, and child
• Most of that is as a Medicaid, your typical F-MAP. Okay, very good. Thank you.
• Children with family incomes below 152% are covered under regular Medicaid.
• The Medicaid and CHIP benefits package for children in North Dakota is the same.
• changing, and so that went from Medicaid to CHIP.

Committees: Joint Human Services , Joint Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:

• Some governments basically, too, just don't understand this Medicaid complicated stuff, right?
• And I see that this only applies to Medicaid. Is that correct? Yes, sir.
• So this is kind of the first step on that, baby step, and hey, we get it in Medicaid, then we show, hey
• So what we're doing here with 404 is a fairly significant vision benefit plan reform.
• What we're doing here with 404 is a fairly significant vision benefit plan reform.

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Summary: The House Committee on Health and Welfare met on April 28 with a quorum and took up several Senate bills, beginning with SB 113 on the local health care provider participation program in Calcasieu Parish. The committee adopted a technical amendment and heard that the bill would shift the local sponsor from the parish to the city if needed by a June 1 deadline. After brief discussion and no opposition, SB 113 was reported favorably with amendments. The committee then approved SB 23, which exempts certain assisted living facilities licensed by LDH from the definition of food service establishment, and SB 150, which would allow LDH to scan and electronically store vital records supporting documents and return originals to citizens. SB 221 also advanced after testimony that it would allow EMS providers to be reimbursed by Medicaid for emergency responses where treatment is provided on scene but the patient is not transported. Members discussed that the bill could reduce unnecessary ER use and likely would require some rulemaking, but it was reported favorably. A major portion of the meeting focused on SB 404, a broad vision benefit plan reform bill. Supporters, including optometrists, said the measure would improve transparency, patient choice, and access to eye care by limiting restrictive plan practices; opponents from the vision care plan industry argued it was an unprecedented, provider-driven overhaul that could raise costs and reduce flexibility. After extensive testimony and an agreed amendment clarifying network participation, the committee reported SB 404 favorably with amendments. The committee also reported SB 32 favorably with amendments after emotional testimony from parents and advocates about perinatal bereavement care, cooling devices, and training for hospitals to give grieving families more time and dignity after infant loss. Finally, the committee heard SB 43, which would create a psychedelic-assisted therapy initiative within LDH for clinical research and treatment involving ibogaine and psilocybin, with testimony from veterans, researchers, and advocates describing potential benefits for PTSD, substance use, and traumatic brain injury. The bill was reported favorably with amendments and set to pass a courtesy sheet. The committee then began SB 253, a bill regulating peptides and compounding pharmacies, adopted technical amendments clarifying provider liability, and continued discussion as the transcript ended.

Transcript Highlights:

• Some governments basically, too, just don't understand this Medicaid complicated stuff, right?
• And I see that this only applies to Medicaid. Is that correct? Yes, sir.
• This is kind of the first step on that, baby step, and hey, we get it in Medicaid, then we show, hey,
• So what we're doing here with 404 is a fairly significant vision benefit plan reform.
• What we're doing here with 404 is a fairly significant vision benefit plan reform.

Bills: SCR37 , SB145 , SB237

Committee: House Health and Welfare

Keywords: informed consent, healthcare, medical procedures, patient rights, surgeon general, regulatory review, adult residential care, generators, emergency power, health safety, Louisiana Department of Health, compliance, regulations

Transcript Highlights:

• These stakeholders recognize the critical need for reform and have endorsed the inclusion of BCABAs as
• Without it, patients often spend down their life savings just to qualify for Medicaid or even consider
• It would allow them to afford care, stay off Medicaid longer, and even qualify for kidney transplant
• over five years by reducing Medicaid enrollment through avoided asset spend-downs.
• Both of these bills establish biannual Medicaid rate review, requiring the Office of Medicaid, in collaboration

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Health Care Financing

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on a range of health care financing bills focused largely on autism services and kidney disease coverage. Committee chairs John Lawn and Cindy Friedman outlined hearing procedures and noted that written testimony would continue to be accepted until each bill is acted upon. They said the day’s bills addressed affordability and access to behavioral health services, provider reimbursement, Medicare coverage for vulnerable patients, and MassHealth eligibility asset exemptions. A major portion of the hearing concerned House Bill 4623, which would recognize board-certified assistant behavior analysts (BCABAs) in the MassHealth reimbursement framework to help address long wait lists for autism spectrum disorder services. Representative Lisa Field and several providers testified that Massachusetts families face long delays for ABA services and that adding BCABAs would expand workforce capacity, reduce costs, and improve access. Wakely actuary Annie Tasman Ewing said a three-tier model could reduce MassHealth costs by up to 6% annually, while Dr. Sandra Beaton and others described severe wait lists and said the bill would allow more families to be served sooner. The committee also heard extensive testimony on House Bill 4425 and Senate Bill 2737, which would allow people under 65 with end-stage renal disease to purchase Medigap coverage. Representative Stanley, Senator Gomez, and advocates from the American Kidney Fund and Dialysis Patient Citizens argued that current law unfairly excludes these patients, leaves them with high out-of-pocket costs, and can delay transplant eligibility because many centers require secondary insurance. Testifiers said the change would help about 846 residents, could cost insurers only a small premium increase, and might reduce Medicaid spending by avoiding asset spend-downs. Committee members asked questions about the existing statutory carve-out and the practical effects on transplant access. The hearing also included testimony on House Bill 4353 and Senate Bill 2587, which would require regular Medicaid rate reviews for ABA services. Providers and clinicians said current MassHealth rates no longer reflect the cost of delivering care, especially with new 2026 policy requirements, workforce shortages, and accreditation obligations. They emphasized that the bills would not mandate a rate increase but would create a data-driven, transparent review process. At the end of the hearing, the chairs thanked participants, invited additional written testimony, and the committee voted unanimously to adjourn the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• </c> on oversight and government reform on oversight and government reform printed<02:17:36.319><c> in
• </c><03:04:20.000><c> agency</c> national emergencies, reforming agency national emergencies, reforming
• </c> prevention reforms are long overdue. prevention reforms are long overdue.
• </c><03:04:49.840><c> that</c> continue to advance bold reforms that continue to advance bold reforms
• </c><08:10:06.398><c> and</c> house to support the needed reforms and house to support the needed reforms

Transcript Highlights:

• Chair Werner has been very taking the lead in Access reform as well as DCS over the summer.
• Very simply, this bill is a step toward real reform via clear and concise...
• The bill complies with federal Medicaid standards.
• The bill complies with federal Medicaid standards and does not restrict enforcement authority.
• During that time, facilities continue to care for all text members, but cannot bill Medicaid for those

Bills: SB1095 , SB1114 , SB1116 , SB1162 , SB1164 , SB1178 , SB1179 , SB1249 , SB1253 , SB1346 , SB1347 , SB1446 , SB1561 , SB1813

Committees: House Health & Human Services , House House Health & Human Services Committee of Reference

Keywords: gender transition, minors, irreversible surgery, health professionals, puberty-blocking drugs, medical procedures, prohibition, Arizona Revised Statutes, behavioral health, patient brokering, appropriation, state funds, Maricopa County, claims review, medical necessity, American Indian health program, healthcare regulations, healthcare compliance, behavioral health technicians, licensing

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill is a simple but meaningful reform.
• This reform means patients will spend less time waiting in limbo and more time getting the care they
• AB 371 is a practical and patient-centered reform.
• , and that reform can only comprehensively happen at the federal level.
• how we serve our Medicaid... ...entire community.

Summary: The Assembly Health Committee met on April 22 and took up a special order of bills focused largely on prior authorization and utilization management in health care. The chair framed the discussion as part of a broader legislative effort to reduce delays and barriers to care, especially in behavioral health, chronic disease management, cancer treatment, and rehabilitation services. AB 384 by Assembly Member Connolly would prohibit prior authorization for inpatient mental health or substance use emergency admissions and related physician care; supporters said it would prevent dangerous delays in crisis care, while insurers and health plans warned about fraud, abuse, and ambiguity around residential treatment facilities. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended motion and passed the committee on a party-line style vote, with Republicans largely absent or not voting. The committee then heard AB 510 by Assembly Member Addis, which would require health plans, upon request, to provide a peer reviewer of the same or similar specialty when a treating provider appeals a prior authorization denial or modification. Supporters argued that specialty-matched review would make appeals fairer and more clinically informed; opponents said the requirement was too rigid and that timelines and electronic submission rules needed changes. After discussion about the need for timely, specialty-specific review, the bill was approved on a due pass as amended motion and placed on call. AB 539 by Assembly Member Schiavo would extend prior authorization approvals to one year or the duration of the physician’s prescribed treatment for chronic conditions; supporters cited repeated denials and treatment interruptions, while opponents raised concerns about overbreadth, fraud, and the need for shorter validity periods. The bill was also passed as amended and placed on call. The committee next considered AB 669 by Assembly Member Haney, which would bar concurrent and retrospective review for the first 28 days of medically necessary substance use disorder treatment and limit prior authorization for related outpatient medications. The bill was presented with a powerful personal story from Ryan Matlock’s mother about her son’s death after an insurer cut off treatment early; supporters said the measure would keep patients in care long enough to stabilize, while opponents argued it would reduce oversight and could allow lower-quality or non-evidence-based care. The bill was moved on a due pass as amended motion and placed on call. Finally, AB 512 by Assembly Member Harabedian would shorten prior authorization response times to 24 hours for urgent requests and 48 hours for non-urgent requests; supporters said delays can worsen outcomes, while opponents warned the timelines were unrealistic and could increase administrative burdens and safety issues. The bill was approved as amended and placed on call. AB 574 by Assembly Member Mark Gonzalez was then heard; it would allow up to 12 medically necessary physical therapy sessions for a new episode of care without prior authorization, with supporters emphasizing stroke and neurological recovery and opponents warning of reduced oversight and unnecessary care. The transcript ends during testimony on AB 574, before final action is shown.

Transcript Highlights:

• That's pretty much one of the other areas that we're trying to work on saving is the Medicaid reentry
• the fact that they are in our facilities, they would receive their federal Medicaid benefits.
• We were the first state to be given a waiver regarding Medicaid. This will apply.
• Regarding Medicaid, this will apply.
• This Office supports those bills and the important reforms to the campaign finance law.

Committee: Joint Joint Committee on Ways and Means

Transcript Highlights:

• So, I mean, I think Republicans have been talking about some type of tort reform for a long, long time
• I hope that someday we can get in a position where we talk about reforming that.
• It comes from missed rebates for Medicaid. So this is a very, very complicated issue.
• The cut to Medicaid MCOs is going to result in Medicaid MCOs increasing prices on hospitals to the tune

Summary: Senate and House Republican leaders held a joint media availability focused on affordability, budget concerns, and opposition to several Democratic tax proposals. John Braun and Drew Stokesbary said Washingtonians are still struggling with the cost of food, gas, housing, child care, and health care, and argued Democrats are not advancing bills that would ease those pressures. They criticized a draft income tax proposal they said would function as a small business tax, especially because it would disallow loss carryforwards and could discourage investment in housing and other capital-intensive sectors. They also objected to a proposed tire fee and a bill they said would prevent tire sellers from telling customers about the tax. The Republicans said they planned to raise budget and tax concerns in an upcoming meeting with Governor Ferguson, and Stokesbary said he had introduced a budget-savings bill to consolidate University of Washington investment management with the State Investment Board. They also discussed a bill to make it harder to qualify citizen initiatives, calling it anti-democratic, and said they want stronger oversight and legal reforms related to DCYF and state liability in child welfare cases. Braun and Stokesbary said they were open to discussing tort reform and a civil claims process, but emphasized the underlying problem is state failure in protecting children. On health care, they said they were still reviewing a bill to eliminate interest on medical debt and a separate 340B drug-pricing proposal, warning both could have unintended effects on hospitals, patients, and drug innovation. They also said they support the idea of protecting children online and in schools, but want any social media, AI chatbot, or cell phone-related bills written carefully to avoid First Amendment problems and unintended consequences. On public safety, they expressed concern about a bill restricting police retention of automatic license plate reader data, arguing law enforcement needs such tools to solve crimes. No votes were taken, and the event ended with the Republicans reiterating their opposition to tax increases and their focus on affordability.