Video & Transcript Research : 'waiver programs'
Page 67 of 500
ND
North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session
Higher Education Institutions Committee Apr 9th, 2026 at 08:30 am
Higher Education Institutions Committee
MA
Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session
Status of Persons with Disabilities Jun 21st, 2026 at 11:00 am
Transcript Highlights:
- It has grown from a $1.6 billion program to a $2 billion program in a very short period of time.
- intact and kept the integrity of the program intact.
- intact and kept the integrity of the program intact.
- So a lot of these LTSS programs are entitlement programs, but is that not true?
- One of the programs that I expect you to see that related to will be the AFC program, which has grown
Summary:
The subcommittee opened with roll call and approved the November 2025 minutes. Commissioner Charlie Carr then introduced Leslie Darcy, chief of LTSS at MassHealth, who provided an update on the PCA working group and on federal and state budget pressures affecting MassHealth and long-term services and supports. Darcy said the PCA working group had completed its work and submitted recommendations, including reinstating the 66-hour overtime cap, strengthening program integrity, and ending paid paperwork time for EVV users; she said those changes were implemented on 11/26 and were expected to save $7.4 million. She also described additional consensus recommendations to lower the overtime cap from 66 to 60 hours, create a seven-hour weekly meal-prep support limit, and continue exploring benchmarks, though the group could not reach consensus on a benchmark standard.
Darcy warned that a federal bill enacted about six months earlier would significantly affect MassHealth, with an estimated $3.5 billion loss to the Commonwealth by 2028. She outlined upcoming changes including revised immigrant eligibility rules in October 2026, work requirements for certain non-disabled adults beginning in January 2027, six-month redeterminations for some adults, and shorter retroactive coverage periods. In response to questions, she said people with disabilities and Medicare beneficiaries would be exempt from the work and six-month redetermination requirements. She also explained that reduced federal ACA subsidies were being offset in Massachusetts by state spending, including $250 million in additional state support to keep premiums lower for middle-income families.
Members raised concerns about community hospitals, the health safety net, and the impact of federal funding changes on provider rates and uncompensated care. Darcy said restrictions on provider taxes would limit MassHealth’s ability to use those revenues to support rates, and she noted a current $300 million shortfall in the health safety net. She said FY27 would likely include a rate freeze, targeted reductions, one-time budget measures, and further work groups to examine programs such as adult foster care, which she said had grown 40% in two years. Carr emphasized that the situation was serious but potentially fluid, and the meeting ended with no further business; the subcommittee agreed to adjourn before the next meeting and noted an upcoming February presentation from the Department of Public Health.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- program.
- CADI waiver, are we talking about elderly waiver, are we talking about BI waiver, are we talking about
- Do we cut the waiver programs that we're providing assisted living areas?
- <01:15:19.040>
programs <01:15:19.360>that homes do we cut the waiver programs that - homes do we cut the waiver programs that we're<01:15:19.679>
providing <01:15:20.080>assisted
Summary:
The Ways and Means Committee began with member and staff introductions, including several new members and committee staff. Representative Zach Stevenson, the DFL lead, objected to the day’s presentation, saying he was disappointed the committee was starting with a group he viewed as aligned with Republicans rather than a nonpartisan budget presentation. The chair responded that the committee had a bipartisan agreement and that hearing a different perspective was appropriate. The committee then proceeded to a presentation from economists with the Center of the American Experiment, with questions held until the end.
The presentation focused on Minnesota’s budget outlook, arguing that the state faces a structural imbalance and a projected $5.14 billion deficit in the 2028-29 biennium. The presenters said spending has outpaced revenues, highlighted a large increase in general fund spending since 2023, and argued that inflation-adjusted per-capita spending remains above pre-2024 levels through the forecast period. They said the biggest growth areas are E-12 education and especially Health and Human Services, with HHS projected to become the largest budget category and much of its growth tied to Medicaid and long-term care waivers.
The presenters also argued Minnesota spends more than most states on welfare and Medicaid, citing comparisons showing the state near the top nationally in spending per person in poverty and in several Medicaid categories. They said some of the HHS growth reflects policy changes from the 2023 session, while other pressures come from enrollment growth, health care prices, federal debt, and an aging population. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting shown.
US
US Federal 2025-2026 Regular Session
US House Floor Proceedings (Thursday, April 23, 2026)
US Federal House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:22:37.120>
like community. from standout programs like community. from standout programs - To get this same policy, this same broad waiver for subsurface federal lands for years.
- <02:02:26.639>
to <02:02:26.880>promote Grant Program to promote Grant Program to promote - Advantage program. Advantage program.
- I love the concept of a program where you make a profit by helping seniors be healthier."
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Budget Subcommittee No. 2 on Human Services Feb 26th, 2025
FL
Transcript Highlights:
- Most camps and summer programs won't accept a child with autism.
- So what we want to do is have a grant program that will establish summer programs for children with autism
- Most camps and summer programs won't accept a child with autism.
- So what we want to do is have a grant program that will child with autism.
- So what we want to do is have a grant program that will establish summer programs for children with autism
Summary:
The Senate opened with prayer, the pledge, doctor-of-the-day recognition, and a series of introductions honoring visitors and groups in the galleries, including Moffitt Cancer Center, students from Lakeland Christian School, space industry guests, Kappa Alpha Psi, the Florida Association of Licensed Investigators, and others. Senators also made announcements about local delegations visiting the Capitol and a session wellness competition.
The chamber then took up CS/CS/SB 112, relating to children with developmental disabilities. Senator Harrell presented the bill as a major autism-focused measure that would expand screening and referral grants, extend Early Steps services through age four with a federal waiver, designate the University of Florida Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment as a statewide hub for research and coordination, create grants for autism-focused summer programs and charter school models, and establish a microcredential for workers who serve children with autism. Senators Davis, Jones, Osgood, Duma, Wright, and others supported the bill while raising concerns about provider shortages, Medicaid managed care coverage, the need for better recruitment incentives, and the importance of research into causes and treatments. Harrell responded that services would be covered under new contracts, Medicaid would provide coverage, the University of Florida would develop the online credential with a stipend incentive, and the bill was a first step in a broader effort that should also address adults on the spectrum.
The Senate passed CS/CS/SB 112 unanimously, 38-0, and then adopted a motion to immediately certify the bill to the House. The chamber also adopted Senate Resolution 1856 by publication, honoring the life and legacy of Senator Geraldine Thompson, with 38 co-introducers recorded. In addition, SB 1324 by Senator Simon was withdrawn from further consideration, and the Senate adjourned until the next scheduled meeting.
IN
Transcript Highlights:
- local road and bridge matching grant fund helps the city of Indianapolis participate in this grant program
- House Bill 1277 deals with Secretary of FSSA and home and community-based waivers and adds a assisted
- living waiver.
- establish an individual cost cap for home and community-based services under the Pathways for Aging program
- sunsetting the individual cost cap itself once it is federally approved and implemented through the waiver
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Public Safety Finance and Policy Committee 3/26/34
Public Safety Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- <00:51:03.960>
and crime Youth Intervention programs and crime Youth Intervention programs - officer Education and Training Program officer Education and Training Program uh<00:51:14.599>
- our iak task force affiliate program our iak task force affiliate program that<01:04:49.680>
- <01:09:45.040>
a 1115 Medicaid demonstration waiver a 1115 Medicaid demonstration waiver a- that means to maximize programming that means to maximize programming obviously<01:23:54.840>
- our iak task force affiliate program our iak task force affiliate program that<01:04:49.680>
Summary:
The committee approved the March 22, 2024 minutes and then took up House File 3761, the Safety Through Support Act, with a motion to lay the bill over. Representative Lee Finke said the bill is intended to improve re-entry outcomes and public safety by expanding prison visitation, including mentoring and access for mental health and medical professionals, and by creating a task force to support rehabilitation and re-entry. Testifiers in support included Holly Bot, who described how family visits helped her through incarceration and later into successful re-entry and business ownership, and Zeke Caliguri, who argued that consistent visitation and community connection are essential to humanity, rehabilitation, and reducing recidivism. Elliot Bhai of NAMI Minnesota also supported the bill, framing visitation as a form of needed mental health support in prisons.
Members raised several concerns and suggestions. Representative Hudson questioned the bill’s strip-search limitation language, asking what would count as a credible, documented security concern, and also worried the task force could create discriminatory access or favor certain viewpoints. Representative Finke said she did not view a conviction as making someone permanently a security risk and said the task force was meant to ensure meaningful visitation for everyone, not to enable discrimination. Representative Hollins and Representative N. supported the bill’s overall goals while suggesting language could be tightened and noting that maintaining outside ties helps people return as productive members of society. Representative Witte asked about the Department of Corrections commissioner’s presence, and the chair said questions for him could wait for a later bill.
Representative Mu asked about the fiscal note and the research behind the bill. Staff said a fiscal note had been requested but not yet signed off by the LBO, which was one reason the bill was being laid over. Finke said she could share the visitation study and noted that the bill responds to research linking visitation to lower recidivism; she also said remote visitation data shows value but can be costly. After closing remarks emphasizing that visitation is “medicine” and that most incarcerated people will return to the community, the chair renewed the motion and laid over House File 3761. The committee then moved on to House File 4959, with a motion to re-refer it to the Committee on State and Local Government Finance and Policy.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- HB 300 by Wilson relating to the scholarships under the Texas Armed Service Scholarship Program for the
- El Paso relating to the special education and special education funding on this Foundation school program
- by Rodriguez Ramos relating to the basic allotment and guaranteed yield in the Foundation school program
- HB 2473 by Simmons relating to the emergency insurance premium relief programs for certain residential
- AB 2514 by many relating to the eligibility to participate in certain drug court programs or for the
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ALC) Feb 20th, 2026
ARKANSAS LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL (ALC)
Transcript Highlights:
- There is a provider who is a provisional selectee in the program.
- And number two is the way that the BED program is structured.
- And number two is the way that the BED program is structured.
- The District 4 tire removal program.
- The State Insurance Program Oversight Subcommittee met Wednesday, February 18th.
Summary:
The meeting opened with prayer, approval of the prior minutes, and a monthly revenue report from the Bureau of Legislative Research. The report showed gross general revenue collections up year to date and net general revenue above forecast, with the increase attributed in part to income tax growth, a fiscal-year shift, and lottery-related collections. Members asked no questions, and no action was required on the revenue report.
Several subcommittee reports were then presented and adopted, including executive, administrative rules, game and fish/state police, hospital/Medicaid/developmental disability, occupational licensing, PEER, revenue, state insurance programs, and personnel. The executive report noted a waiver request for Jackson County School District construction services and an audit with no findings. The administrative rules report covered agency directives, rulemaking updates, and a few rules pulled for later consideration. The revenue subcommittee held one District 4 tire removal contract until its next meeting, while the state insurance subcommittee reviewed the EBD contract with Boston Consulting Group and approved pharmacy formulary and drug recommendations.
A substantial portion of the meeting focused on the State Insurance Department’s examination of pharmacy benefit managers, especially Navitus Health Solutions. Commissioners and staff explained that Navitus objected to producing certain claims data for self-funded plans, raising an ERISA preemption argument, and that the matter was being set for an administrative hearing, likely in April. Members questioned compliance, due process, and the implications of the objection, while the department said the state initiated the examination and was continuing to seek resolution. The committee also reviewed an Arkansas Teacher Retirement System agreement, with one member noting a potential conflict and abstaining. The meeting ended after members reviewed additional reports with no further action and adjourned.
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Finance (02/14/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- It provides $2.5 million in funding for drug interdiction through the Granite Shield program, as well
- <00:08:14.800>
to and credent credentialing programs to and credent credentialing programs - Services due to the end of a program and Services due to the end of a program and then<00:26:16.840><
- >
program <00:41:33.880>uh <00:41:34.040>benefits Sure. - Program and we used onetime money we Program and we used onetime money we used<00:50:23.520>
cenen
Summary:
The Finance Committee heard a briefing from the governor on her recommended fiscal years 2026-2027 budget. She described it as a “recalibration” that reduces general fund spending by about $150 million from the prior budget, avoids tax increases, and aims to protect vulnerable residents while supporting the economy. She said the proposal addresses a projected current-biennium deficit, cites lower-than-expected revenues and off-budget spending, and includes a hiring freeze and other spending reductions. The governor also said the budget is built on current revenue estimates developed with the Department of Revenue Administration and the state’s chief economist.
Major policy areas discussed included education, public safety, health and human services, housing, and workforce development. The governor said the budget increases spending on public education and special education, expands Education Freedom Accounts to public school students, funds a cell-phone-free classroom grant program, continues the community college tuition freeze, and supports workforce training. She also highlighted investments in the Group II retirement system for first responders, Northern Border Alliance and drug interdiction efforts, child advocacy and victim services, mental health services, developmental disability services with no wait list, and a streamlined housing permitting process with a 60-day review target.
Committee members raised questions about the fiscal assumptions, the impact of possible federal funding changes, the Education Freedom Account expansion, dam infrastructure funding, and workforce issues such as state employee pay and vacant positions. The governor said the budget continues funding for federal programs currently assumed, and that she would advocate for block grants and other federal flexibility. On dams, administration officials said the budget includes about $13 million in capital funding, with possible fee increases under consideration. On staffing, the governor said the budget funds the previously bargained 12% state employee increase, includes eight position reductions tied to program changes, and would allow those employees to be rehired if openings arise. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- care food program child and adult care food program serving<00:02:45.560>
children <00:02:46.000 - Care Food Program, or CACFP, and the Summer Food Service Program, or SFSP.
- We think that the flexibility the waivers gave MDE regarding how and when it monitored program participants
- CACFP and SFSP programs.
- We are placing additional emphasis on program integrity when we are considering waivers, and lastly,
Summary:
The Education Policy Committee met to hear a delayed presentation from the Office of the Legislative Auditor on MDE’s oversight of Feeding Our Future, a report released in June 2024. The chair framed the hearing as an oversight review of how the Minnesota Department of Education handled the nonprofit’s participation in the Child and Adult Care Food Program and the Summer Food Service Program, emphasizing that the hearing was not about criminal charges against agency staff. Legislative Auditor Judy Randall and Director of Special Reviews Katherine Tyson explained that their review focused on state oversight, not the underlying federal fraud case, which involved an alleged $250 million scheme and ongoing criminal proceedings.
The auditors concluded that MDE’s oversight was inadequate and created opportunities for fraud. They said MDE failed to act on warning signs before the pandemic, did not effectively use its authority to hold Feeding Our Future accountable, and was ill prepared to respond to problems. Examples included approving applications despite concerns about internal controls and staffing, failing to follow up on earlier review findings, not adequately investigating at least 30 complaints, and in one case referring a complaint back to Feeding Our Future for resolution rather than conducting an independent investigation. They also said MDE deferred serious deficiencies without enough evidence that problems had been fully corrected and approved meal claims despite records showing major inconsistencies.
Tyson said MDE had made progress on all eight recommendations in the report, though one recommendation to the legislature had not yet been addressed because the session had not convened since the report’s release. The auditors recommended that the legislature establish clearer statutory criteria or give MDE rulemaking authority for sponsor applications, and that MDE strengthen verification of sponsor information, focus more on high-risk sponsors, improve complaint procedures, and emphasize program integrity if waivers reduce oversight in the future. In response to member questions, the auditors said MDE’s reported progress was partial in some areas and that further review would be needed to fully confirm implementation. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the hearing.
OR
Oregon 2026 Regular Session
Beds to Belonging Workgroup Jul 15th, 2026 at 01:00 pm
Transcript Highlights:
- So for youth who are in residential BRS programs, while those are supportive and therapeutic programs
- One of the advantages about residential programs, both BRS residential programs for youth for whom that
- For psychiatric residential treatment services, each program has consideration and each program has..
- Each program has consideration and each program has the jurisdiction to manage its community milieu because
- or programs that really, outside of eating disorder programs, but programs that can work with kids who
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Rules Apr 8th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- So lets see tab 16, which is I find it SB 658 on waiver or release of liens.
- The Wise Technician Program and the Wise authorized service provider program.
- The Interest on Trust accounts Program is commonly called the IOTA program or IOTA accounts.
- It's not the oversight of the IOTA program or the trust program at all.
- After the 2023 will change more banks join the the program.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Public School Capital Outlay Council Jun 12th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Last meeting, this was state match and the waiver they requested for teacher housing.
- In your books is the FOI 26 Capital funding program, um.
- School districts and schools with pre-kindergarten programs.
- A total calculator value to program, um, the school with some flexible spaces. Um.
- Programs and funding manager and staff attorney.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- like our Landowner Incentive Program.
- And more recently, our Farm and Ranch Lands Conservation Program.
- The Texas Farm and Ranch Lands Program, our conservation easement program, has a primary focus of ensuring
- There is one opportunity for a waiver for a youth camp, which is covered on the next slide.
- To our knowledge, we've not received any requests for any waivers, nor have we granted any waivers.
AR
Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session
PUBLIC HEALTH- HOUSE HEALTH SERVICES SUBCOMMITTEE Jun 25th, 2026
Transcript Highlights:
- Our non-Medicaid programs, I think you were already talking about a bit.
- The other one we're doing is the community reintegration program.
- And I think part of the solution is going to be this institution for mental disease waiver, is we'll
- We've got this piece where now that we have this waiver coming and Medicaid can pay for a psychiatric
- I think that would be a really important part as we get this IMD waiver coming in, making sure that we
Summary:
The House Health Services Subcommittee met to approve the October 7, 2024 minutes and then shifted to behavioral health as the main topic. Representatives Wooldridge and Vaught described the work of the behavioral health working group, saying Arkansas needs a more proactive system focused on access, workforce, reimbursement, and reducing red tape. Members raised concerns about provider shortages, licensure barriers, rural access, reimbursement rates, jail-based services, non-emergency transport, and the need for step-down options and crisis diversion before people end up in jail or the state hospital.
DHS Director Paula Stone outlined the behavioral health system, emphasizing that Medicaid pays for most behavioral health services in Arkansas and that many services cannot be billed once a person is in jail or the state hospital. She described current efforts including family-centered treatment for children, community reintegration group homes, a new adolescent substance use disorder unit, forensic evaluation and restoration changes, and a planned IMD waiver to allow Medicaid payment for certain psychiatric and residential services. She also explained the backlog at the state hospital and in forensic restoration, the role of therapeutic communities, and the challenges of serving rural and difficult-to-serve populations.
Members asked about crisis stabilization units, civil commitment, dashboards for bed availability, and whether Arkansas should expand step-down or long-term facilities. Stone said the state has supported crisis stabilization units in several cities, with mixed results, and noted that Fort Smith and Jonesboro have been more successful than Fayetteville and Little Rock. She said DHS does not yet have a statewide bed dashboard but sees it as a useful tool. The meeting ended with agreement that the discussion was a starting point and that the committee would continue the work, tentatively in August, to develop policy ideas for the 2027 session.
WV
West Virginia 2026 Regular Session
WV Senate Finance Committee in Session Jan 15th, 2026 at 09:04 am
Finance
Transcript Highlights:
- Or you change the program.
- And that assumes the program, the code does not change, right?
- If there's major changes to federal programs, out of...
- If there's major changes to federal programs, I don't...
- The base for general revenue and lottery for the Medicaid program.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs (02/24/2026)
Health, Human Services and Elderly Affairs
Transcript Highlights:
- program.
- to the federal government for a waiver to the federal government for this<01:05:24.000>
program. - this program. this program.
- with the waiver. with the waiver.
- . program. program.
Summary:
The House Committee on Health, Human Services, and Elderly Affairs heard HB 1790-FN, which would address involuntary admissions for certain individuals with a substance use disorder. Representative Lucy Weber introduced the bill for Representative Long, and the committee heard extensive testimony both in support of and in opposition to the proposal. Opponents, including John Burns of SOS Recovery and Jake Barry of New Futures, argued that involuntary commitment is not well supported by research, can retraumatize people, may increase overdose risk after release, and could undermine New Hampshire’s existing recovery and harm-reduction efforts. They emphasized that treatment should be voluntary, trauma-informed, and paired with housing, recovery supports, and other community-based services.
Representative Long said he was willing to accept DHHS’s request to amend the bill into a study commission, though he expressed concern that a prior state study had not led to action. He said the commission should focus on implementation details, including where people would be placed, staffing, withdrawal management, elopement prevention, length of commitment, and aftercare. He described involuntary commitment as one tool for people with severe dangerous addictions, distinct from drug court, and said it could help avoid criminal records. Committee members asked about capacity at New Hampshire Hospital and how the proposal would work in practice.
DHHS officials Katya Fox and Cynthia Pabonis testified that the bill raises major policy and fiscal concerns. They said New Hampshire’s current system has benefited from investments in naloxone, medication-assisted treatment, recovery centers, and community-based services, and that those investments have helped reduce overdose deaths. They estimated the bill would require a new 70-bed facility costing about $40 million to build and about $33.3 million annually to operate, with only a small portion offset by insurance, plus more than $600,000 in annual legal costs and additional staffing and system changes. They also said New Hampshire Hospital has 185 beds, with about 100 patients typically ready for less restrictive settings, and that housing shortages are a major bottleneck. NAMI New Hampshire also testified in opposition, saying families often want any possible treatment for loved ones but still opposed the bill. No vote or final action was taken in the hearing.
FL
Florida 2025 Regular Session
Joint Administrative Procedures Committee Feb 3rd, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- THERE IS ANOTHER RULE ON MEDICAID WAIVER PROGRAMS, DEVELOPMENT DISABILITY INDIVIDUAL BUDGET WAIVER SERVICES
- AND FINALLY A FINAL DISABILITY INDIVIDUAL BUDGET WAIVER SERVICES AND FINALLY A FINAL RULE UP FOR OBJECTION
- IS DEVELOPMENT DISABILITIES INDIVIDUAL BUDGET WAIVER SERVICES PROVIDER RATE TABLE.
- CURRENTLY THE WATER MANAGEMENT DISTRICTS ADMINISTER THE CONSUMPTIVE USE PERMIT PROGRAM WHICH GOVERNS
- THE NEW RULE IS MORE LIKE A CAP AND TRADE PROGRAM.