Transcript Highlights:

• Medicaid providers are also increasingly seeing some financial hardships due to client non-payment.
• Increasingly seeing some financial hardships due to client non-payment of their portion of Medicaid.
• Our current regulatory and payment structures don't allow for a lot of flexibility, you know, to look
• So lots of Non-payment and then the mitigation of resident discharges.
• Having that one-on-one support from case managers to prevent discharges, to prevent non-payment, will

Summary: The committee met for what was described as its final meeting, with members and staff reflecting on the work of the Joint Legislative Executive Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care and noting that future work would likely shift to standing health and wellness committees. The meeting began with introductions and then moved into updates on major initiatives that originated from the committee, including Washington Cares, the Dementia Action Collaborative, and Medicaid long-term care programs. Presenters emphasized that these efforts were developed through long-term legislative-executive collaboration and were intended to help Washington prepare for the state’s aging population. On Washington Cares, DSHS described the program’s development from a 2014 research effort to its 2019 enactment, premium collection beginning in 2023, portability improvements in 2024, and 2025 changes including a grandfathered opt-out fix and a framework for supplemental private long-term care insurance. The agency said benefits are expected to go fully live next summer, with a pilot of up to 400 applicants planned for next January. On dementia policy, the Dementia Action Collaborative reported on the state dementia plan, Project ECHO training for providers, and pilot dementia-capable community programs at area agencies on aging, citing preliminary results that about 85% of family caregivers said services helped people remain at home. DSHS also reviewed Medicaid Transformation Project initiatives, including Medicaid Alternative Care, Tailored Supports for Older Adults, presumptive eligibility, and health-related social needs benefits such as rental assistance, nutrition support, and home modifications. The committee then heard an emerging issues panel from ombuds and disability advocates. Patricia Hunter of the long-term care ombuds program raised concerns about staffing shortages, resident rights, surveillance technology, private equity ownership of facilities, and illegal discharges or evictions. Betty Sweeterman of the Developmental Disabilities Ombuds discussed people stuck in hospitals without medical need, gaps in behavioral health services for people with developmental disabilities, and the need for better workforce training. Todd Carlyle of Disability Rights Washington urged expansion and bundling of community supports such as PACT, GOSH, and peer bridgers to reduce repeated institutionalization and support discharge from inpatient psychiatric settings. Provider and labor panels followed, with nursing home, assisted living, supported living, and union representatives all emphasizing workforce shortages, low wages, Medicaid rate inadequacy, case management bottlenecks, behavioral health complexity, and the need for more flexible care models and stronger accountability for rate increases. No formal votes were taken; the meeting ended with public comment on manufactured housing and closing remarks thanking staff and participants for the committee’s work.

Transcript Highlights:

• Commonwealth is participating in approximately 10% of this issuance, with an annual debt service payment
• The Commonwealth is participating in less than 1% of this issuance, with an annual debt service payment
• The Commonwealth is participating in 2% of this issuance, with an annual debt service payment of $65,000
• :25:14.440> annual<00:25:14.760> Debt<00:25:15.000> Service<00:25:15.520> payment
• <00:25:33.559> of annual Debt Service payment of annual Debt Service payment of $11,000<00

Keywords: 958, all

Summary: The committee first approved the January minutes and then received several informational reports on school district tax levies, revenue bonds, lease advertisements, and previously rejected lease transactions. Members were told that one rejected lease for the Cabinet for Health and Family Services in Hardin County would be canceled and rebid, while a Perry County lease modification for the Energy and Environment Cabinet would proceed. The Kentucky Communications Network Authority also submitted its quarterly capital projects report, and Eastern Kentucky University reported revisions to asset preservation projects. Janice Thomas, Deputy State Budget Director, presented four capital project action items. These included a Kentucky State University Betty White Building renovation funded by USDA grant money, a Department of Education state schools dormitory and cottage renovation appropriation increase because bids exceeded estimates, a restricted-funds scope increase for the Elizabethtown CTC science building expansion, and a pool project report for the Department of Corrections’ KCIW kitchen drain line repair and replacement. Representative Petrie asked about how often the statutory authority for midstream project increases is used and whether bids are typically competitive; Thomas said the increases are used often when bids come in above estimates and that bids are generally competitive, though construction costs have been difficult to gauge. The committee unanimously approved the first three action items, and the KCIW project was reported with no action required. H. Sandy Williams of the Kentucky Infrastructure Authority then presented six loans and one emergency grant. The items included loans for Frankfort’s East Frankfort Interceptor wet weather facility project, Sturgis wastewater improvements, Scottsville inflow and infiltration work, Morganfield wastewater treatment plant planning and design, Western Pulaski County Water District transmission improvements, and Springfield water system planning and replacement work, plus an emergency Kentucky Waters grant for Eddyville following a sewer treatment plant failure and local emergency declarations. After no questions, the committee unanimously approved the seven KIA transactions. Chelsea Couch then presented a Kentucky Housing Corporation conduit issuance for $38.4 million to finance a multifamily rental project in Jefferson County; members asked how the committee participates and were told it was a conduit issuance rather than state debt. The committee approved that item. Finally, the committee heard an informational Turnpike Authority refunding issuance of about $53 million for present value savings, then approved four SFCC debt issues for Henderson, Pulaski, Scott, and Trimble counties to finance school renovations and construction. The meeting ended with notice of the next meeting date and location.

Transcript Highlights:

• The information includes charges of theft and making false claims for health care payments.
• is charged with making personal purchases with a government credit card, including rent and a down payment
• The information includes charges of theft and making false claims for health care payments.
• Defo Mabrat of Portland, who pleaded no contest last week to making a false claim for health care payment

Summary: Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield held a press event marking National Health Care Fraud Takedown Day to highlight the state’s Medicaid fraud enforcement work and announce four new criminal filings. He said the Oregon Department of Justice’s Medicaid Fraud Unit, which includes investigators, auditors, attorneys, data analysts, and a nurse investigator, has secured hundreds of convictions and settlements since 2010 and recently received additional staffing from the legislature. He framed the work as bipartisan and aimed at protecting vulnerable Oregonians, recovering taxpayer dollars, and deterring fraud. The announced cases involved alleged provider or vendor fraud rather than Medicaid recipients: Ed Morgan of Beaverton was charged in connection with housing assistance funds tied to a health-related social needs program; Linda Thomas and her company, Gateway of Willamette Valley, were charged with billing Medicaid for day support services not provided; and Amanda Thorne, a former Lane County employee, was charged with using a government credit card for personal purchases. Rayfield also noted recent progress in other cases, including a nurse who pleaded no contest to false billing and theft and was sentenced to jail, probation, and restitution, and a medical transportation company owner recently charged with billing for services not provided. In response to questions, Rayfield said Oregon staff attended a federal meeting on Medicaid fraud despite late notice and political tensions, emphasizing that fraud enforcement should remain bipartisan. He said the federal landscape is complicated by cuts to enforcement staff even as there is talk of increased enforcement, and that states have had to step up. He also said Oregon’s managed care system has not been a major barrier to investigations, which typically begin with complaints and are developed with partner agencies. No votes or formal legislative actions were taken at the event.

Transcript Highlights:

• Next bill: House Bill 1174, relating to the procedure for payment under protest lawsuits.
• House Bill 1174 relates to the procedure for payment under protest lawsuits.
• House Bill 1174 relates to the procedure for payment under protest lawsuits.
• Next measure: House Bill 997, relating to court-ordered payments.
• Payments to OHA have continued to fall short.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The committee met on February 12 at 2 p.m. and heard several measures related to corrections, re-entry, law enforcement, retirement benefits, and gun violence prevention. On HB 10002, which would extend the Hawaii Correctional System Oversight Commission coordinator’s term and clarify unannounced inspection authority, the Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation said it had no objection to the term length or to 24/7 unannounced access. The commission’s chair, Commissioner Mark Patterson, asked for a longer term, saying the commission needs more time and stability to manage reform efforts after years without staff during COVID. Community Alliance on Prisons and Carolyn Eaton also supported a longer term, with both suggesting six years would better insulate the position from politics. The chair noted he had asked Chair Bot for background on the prior committee’s changes and said that could be discussed during decision-making. The committee then heard HB 67, which would require DCR to help inmates obtain civil identification documents such as IDs, birth certificates, and Social Security cards as soon as practicable, including for people in furlough or community placement programs. DCR said it supported the bill and described ongoing work with the city and county on ID machines and with agencies on certificates and Social Security cards. The Office of Hawaiian Affairs, the Oversight Commission, Community Alliance on Prisons, and the Office of Public Defense all supported the measure, emphasizing that identification is essential for housing, employment, and successful re-entry and noting the disproportionate impact of incarceration on Native Hawaiians. On HB 1183, which would classify certain law enforcement administrators and Department of Law Enforcement employees as Class A members for retirement purposes, the Department of Human Resources Development, the Employees’ Retirement System, and the Department of Law Enforcement all supported the bill. DHRD said it would help recruitment and retention, ERS said it had technical amendments to suggest, and DLE said the change would help with succession planning and allow the governor to appoint the most qualified leader. The committee also heard HB 1045, an emergency appropriation bill to cover payroll fringe benefits for Department of Law Enforcement personnel after salary funding had been shifted to other departments; Budget and Finance and DLE explained the need for the supplemental funding, and no opposition was noted. Finally, the committee took up HB 664, which would create an Office of Gun Violence Prevention, a grant program, a resource bank, and a special fund. The Attorney General recommended adding standards for grant awards and warned of overlap with the existing Gun Violence and Violent Crimes Commission, suggesting consolidation and repeal of the older commission to avoid duplication. Supporters included the Brady Campaign, Everytown for Gun Safety, Moms Demand Action Hawaii, a physician, and an Army veteran, who argued the office would centralize data, coordinate prevention efforts, and help secure outside funding. Testimony was mixed, with the chair noting 37 supporters, nine opponents, and three commenters, but no vote was taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that guardianship including payment.
• potential subsidy or assistance payment potential subsidy or assistance payment that<01:03:42.240
• <01:04:16.799> for a real concern, um, as our payments for a real concern, um, as our payments
• a monthly payment pretty a typical<01:04:58.559> monthly<01:04:58.960> payment<01:04:59.359
• I do know that the for their payment.

Bills: HB0101, HB0062, HB0109

Keywords: guardianship, monitoring, ward protection, financial independence, case management, governmental claims, liability limits, inflation adjustment, public safety, local government insurance, property tax, tax exemption, homeowner, armed forces, residency requirement, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• We make sure that the federal government receives their proper royalty payment.
• payments to five and 10%.
• And that's just to ensure that our payments reflect the true child care utilization.
• And that is to limit child care payments through the month a child turns 18.
• Michelle, I got a question on the North Dakota Medicaid payments chart that you have.

Summary: The committee met to receive a series of audit presentations, beginning with the statewide Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR) for fiscal year 2025. The State Auditor’s Office and OMB reported a clean, unmodified opinion for the state, with strong financial results including a $40.6 billion net position, $30.99 billion in assets, $1.81 billion in liabilities, and continued Legacy Fund growth. OMB also explained the new GASB 101 compensated-absences reporting change and discussed pension-liability fluctuations tied to discount-rate assumptions and investment performance. Members asked about how the state compares to others and about the effect of short-term commodity price swings, and OMB said the report reflects actual fiscal-year results rather than forecasts. The committee then heard the University System audit, which also received a clean opinion but included four findings: misreporting of Strategic Investment and Improvements Fund revenue, insufficient monitoring of service organizations at CTS, NDSU, and UND, improper bank reconciliations at Dakota College of Bottineau, Dickinson State, and Williston State, and investment/cash reconciliation problems at Bismarck State College related to bond proceeds. University officials agreed with the findings and said corrective actions were underway, including internal review of bank reconciliations. Members raised questions about NDSU’s use of certificates of deposit, and university staff explained that CDs are used to earn interest on funds being accumulated for future projects. Several other audits were presented, most with clean opinions and no findings, including the State Auditor’s Office, Workforce Safety and Insurance, Housing Finance Agency, Housing Incentive Fund, Job Service North Dakota, the Retirement and Investment Office, PERS, the Center for Distance Education, the Commission on Legal Counsel for Indigents, the Ethics Commission, and the Office of Administrative Hearings. Notable exceptions included a State Fair Association audit with an adverse opinion on the foundation component unit because its financial statements were not available for audit, and a Securities Department performance audit finding that performance-based pay increases and bonuses were issued without required evaluations. The committee also discussed the State Auditor’s future needs, including more staff capacity, data analytics, cybersecurity reviews, possible subpoena authority, independent legal counsel, and whether some audits—such as the Ethics Commission and State Fair—should be handled by independent third parties or under different statutory arrangements.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senate File 2413 was a bill to provide a new directed payment program, or payment to hospitals, via our
• Senate File 2413 was a bill to provide a new directed payment program, or payment to hospitals, via our
• and then applied by them to the payment.
• then applied by them to the payment. then applied by them to the payment.
• Um but we their their monthly payment.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• corps back to the department of education, making it clear that when excesses and deficiencies and payment
• schedules apply to the programs payment schedules apply to the programs that<00:06:11.360> were
• This bill would also eliminate the 10% reconciliation payment that would be the 10% cleanup payment for
• > fiscal the 10% uh cleanup payment for fiscal the 10% uh cleanup payment for fiscal year 25.<
• We hope to have those final payments out here in April.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• resource um it states that co-payments resource um it states that co-payments co-<00:15:40.839><
• <00:19:26.840> from people removes any co-payments from people removes any co-payments from
• <00:41:03.880> rates processes of establishing payment rates processes of establishing payment
• of rate exceptions rather that payment of rate exceptions rather that payment rates<00:48:22.440
• thinking about the U the average payment thinking about the U the average payment you<01:06:22.880

Keywords: 1183, house

Transcript Highlights:

• On the first page, Section 1 appropriates funding to government units for the county seat, or the payment
• Section 18 details the various steps that the state treasurer can take to issue total payments at the
• , and if approved, it can implement it using federal and matching funds, while making clear that payments
• Section 32 would not allow the University of Delaware to make payments for utility bills and building
• Section 32 would not allow the University of Delaware to make payments for utility bills and building

Keywords: 1064, all

Transcript Highlights:

• AB 2216, Aguiar-Curry, Valley and Delta Conservancy, do pass as amended to cap advance payments at 25%
• AB 2258, Avila Farías, child care alternative payment program, do pass out on an A roll call.
• AB 2314, Rogers, Child Care Alternative Payment Program, do pass. That's out on an A roll call.
• AB 2481, Soria, BCRFA quality incentive payments, do pass. That's out on an A roll call.
• AB 1793, Ward, cash payment calculation, do pass. That's out with Republicans not voting.

Summary: The Assembly Appropriations Committee held a suspense-file hearing on May 14, 2026, reviewing hundreds of Assembly bills and a few committee bills. The chair opened by explaining the committee’s budget constraints and the factors used in suspense decisions, including fiscal impact, return on investment, effects on constituents, and protection of the state’s social safety net. The agenda was organized alphabetically by author, and the committee noted that results would be posted later that day online. The committee then acted on a very large number of measures, sending many bills to the Assembly floor on do pass or do pass as amended motions, while holding many others in committee. Topics covered a broad range of policy areas, including housing, health care, education, labor, public safety, wildfire mitigation, water, energy, transportation, cannabis, immigration, and state governance. Many bills were amended to narrow scope, make implementation contingent on appropriations or existing resources, remove provisions, or clarify agency responsibilities; several bills were held without further action. Among the notable actions, the committee advanced bills on items such as Medi-Cal services, child care, wildfire-related programs, housing financing, school and college issues, public safety and criminal justice, environmental and energy policy, and various consumer and business regulations. Some measures were sent out on A or B roll calls, with Republicans often not voting on amended bills. The hearing concluded after the committee reported that a large number of bills had been moved to the Assembly floor, either as do pass or do pass with amendments, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Once they stopped the weight loss drug payment, they did adjustments on that, which was really red, but
• Hope Scholarship requires payments early in August to all the people and schools. So our cash flow.
• The admin is a 50-50 payment. So those rules are changing October 1. Payment.
• find the error... ...application or somebody goes in and audits and they find the errors on these payments
• So it's got seven steps to the formula, plus it's got their PIA payments, got local share, it's got their

Keywords: 994, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then to down payment assistance, $8 million.
• One of the programs that does expend a little bit faster is the down payment assistance program.
• About down payment assistance. Is it still, Madam Chair, available, the down payment assistance?
• I'll say we have two different down payment assistance programs.
• If not, then they don't have to make any payments on it.

Transcript Highlights:

• It will also require an OBGYN add-on payment... ...to support hospitals providing labor and delivery
• HB 18 goes further with regard to labor and delivery payments, specifically in the areas of Medicaid
• payments, training, and telemedicine.
• The rural maternal add-on payment certainly moves the needle in the right direction.
• It's not the intent of this to reduce the payments. Well look, this is interesting.

Bills: HB18, HB37, HB116, HB388, HB879, HB913, HB1151, HB2216, HB2358, HB2809, SB577, SB1590, SB1782, SB1887, SB2744, HB18, HB37, HB116

Keywords: rural health, hospital funding, healthcare access, mental health services, financial stability, perinatal bereavement, healthcare, hospital training, bereavement support, maternal care, fetal demise, stillbirth, neonatal death, parent-child relationship, involuntary termination, family law, child welfare, child protection, HB 388, HB388

Transcript Highlights:

• You just can't deny them simply because part of their payment is coming from that voucher.
• That agreement also includes an agreement with the housing authority for payment.
• It's a very reliable payment.
• Discretion can cease making payments if something doesn't go correctly.
• The time I'm praying for moving in a tenant and receiving full payment in the first month's rent may

Bills: HB164, HB164, HB411, HB627, HB 1226, HB1677, HB1865, HB1997, HB2985, HB3462, HB4188, HB4685, HB4840, HB5370, HB5424, HB5466, HB5509, HB5660, HB5673

Keywords: HB 164, HB164, Texas Flood Recovery, Reimbursement, and Reconstruction Program, Texas Division of Emergency Management, TDEM, Hill Country floods, July 2025 floods, flood recovery, disaster relief, flood reimbursement, reconstruction grants, resiliency standards, floodplain, base flood elevation, FEMA, Federal Emergency Management Agency, insurance denial, property damage, tenant assistance, rental property

Transcript Highlights:

• This bill aims to eliminate these surprise owed payments by creating a system based more on transparency
• back to the or or salary uh payments back to the employer<00:10:56.720> they<00:10:56.839>
• Payment of wages, inclusive of notification about deductions related to payment of wages and record keeping
• , being related to the payment of wages.
• as wage payments because that is what they would be given that...

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The lump sum payment this fiscal year is $611,136. John Posey: ...
• The returns that we have here are net of our payments.
• This is net of our annuity payments we pay monthly. These returns are.
• We get quarterly payments. So we just today received quarterly payments.
• We get quarterly payments. So we just today received quarterly payments.

Bills: SB1, SB 1

Keywords: appropriations, budget, state funding, education, healthcare, infrastructure, campground safety, youth camp regulations, flood safety, emergency evacuation, health and safety standards, 1185, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Medi-Cal General Fund solutions by one year to July 1, 2027, including elimination of prospective payment
• It also includes $3 billion in Proposition 2 funding for the CalPERS Supplemental Pension Payment in
• plan on the timing of which they'll make those payments.
• I have one question about the plastics market development payment program.
• And my question regarding the plastics market development payment program, the payments drop down $5

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• that potentially are going out. ...and teacher payments that potentially are going out.
• And when you'd say reference payments being made to the high school or the school districts beyond payments
• What are these kinds of situations where the higher ed institution is making additional payments to the
• For payments.
• We're simply just saying that if a student has reached six payments and then they move, let's say, into

Keywords: 908, all

Transcript Highlights:

• authority. ...provider support, quality improvement, and data analytics, and removes AHCCCS claims payment
• So they went on to implement blanket suspensions, terminations, widespread payment delays, payment denials
• It sounds like this kind of came out because of a payment issue you described, so we're happy to look
• We understand that we need to improve our payment speed.
• reductions without a commensurate decrease in expectations for service delivery, fee-for-service payment

Bills: SB1086, SB1193, SB1318, SB1345, SB1346, SB1451, SB1496, SB1611, SB1630, SB1631, SB1632, SB1672

Keywords: reimbursement, healthcare, laboratory services, noncontracting providers, Arizona health care cost containment, personal identifying information, PII, privacy, confidential records, public records exemption, commercial disclosure, data privacy, licensure, certification, health professions, health care licensing, Arizona Department of Health Services, ADHS, emergency medical care technician, EMCT

Summary: The committee first approved the February 4 minutes and then heard Senate Bill 1086, which would require AHCCCS contractors to reimburse non-contracting providers for certain laboratory services when a member was referred by a contracting provider, and would bar prior authorization for diagnostic services and retaliation tied to such referrals. AHCCCS testified neutral but warned the prior-authorization ban could increase utilization and create fiscal and federal compliance concerns. The committee adopted the Warner amendment limiting non-contracting reimbursement to no more than contracting-provider rates, then passed SB 1086 as amended on a 4-2 vote. The committee next took up Senate Bill 1611, an emergency measure to require AHCCCS to contract with an administrative services organization for program integrity and case management functions for the American Indian Health Plan, while keeping AHCCCS ultimately responsible. The chair’s amendment expanded the ASO’s duties to include provider support, quality improvement, and data analytics, removed AHCCCS claims payment authority, added more tribal observers, and exempted IHS and tribal facilities. Testimony strongly supported reforming the system after fraud and overcorrection harmed Native members and providers, but AHCCCS raised concerns about the fast timeline, possible duplication of fraud-fighting functions, and the need for 45 days of tribal consultation. The committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1611 as amended on a 5-2 vote. Senate Bill 1630 would create a Medicaid-funded home and community-based services program for adults with serious mental illness, capped initially at 250 members under the Angius amendment, with semiannual reporting and a process for future expansion only if costs are reduced or neutral. Supporters said the bill would help the sickest SMI patients avoid repeated hospitalizations, jail, and homelessness, and could save the state general fund by shifting costs to federal Medicaid funding; AHCCCS was neutral and said it was finalizing the fiscal estimate. The committee adopted the amendment and passed SB 1630 unanimously. The committee also passed SB 1193, protecting emergency medical care technician personal information from disclosure; SB 1318, repealing an outdated state dense-breast notification requirement to align with FDA language; and SB 1345, restricting anonymous complaints against health care institutions, though AHCCCS warned that federal law may still require investigation of complaints from any source and that the bill could reduce reporting and invite litigation.