Transcript Highlights:

• One notable exception was that pharmacy, the cost of the drugs, was the primary growth.
• of our services, but the highest was among those claims that we pay the highest volume, such as pharmacy
• One notable exception was that pharmacy, the cost of the drugs, was the primary growth.
• of our services, but the highest was among those claims that we pay the highest volume, such as pharmacy
• , hospital and pharmacy, outpatient, hospital and professional<00:17:56.799><c> services.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Number 14, DHS with Red River Pharmacy Long-Term Care.
• This is Amendment 1 to an existing contract to extend and add funding for pharmacy services at the Arkansas

Summary: The subcommittee reviewed multiple methods of finance and construction items, including projects for Arkansas State University, Black River Technical College, UAMS, the University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff, and UCA. The UAPB Allied Health and Sciences Building appeared both as a method of finance and as an alternative delivery construction project, with East Harding Construction selected and AMR Architects as designer. Members approved the methods of finance, the alternative delivery project, and several discretionary grants, including Department of Health grants for a heart attack center designation and community health worker training, and DHS grants related to homeless services, behavioral health transition support, and an enabling technology pilot. The committee then reviewed service contracts, including RFQs, construction-related contracts, intergovernmental agreements, and a large number of out-of-state and in-state contracts. Testimony focused heavily on DHS staffing and state hospital contracts, the Arkansas State Police seatbelt survey, AEDC’s lithium supply chain analysis, and Shared Administrative Services’ new SuccessFactors performance-management contract. Members asked detailed questions about contract nursing costs, turnover, hiring timelines, and whether some contracts were being renewed or amended beyond their original projected costs. DHS and Veterans Affairs officials explained staffing shortages, retention incentives, and the use of contract labor as a supplement to state employees. Several contracts drew scrutiny and were held for further review. Representative Wardlaw raised concerns about projected costs and repeated amendments on the Department of Education security contract and on DHS staffing contracts, arguing that some had exceeded their original projected totals. The committee voted to hold contracts 5, 7, and 8 until Friday, while adopting the remaining contracts. The meeting ended after informational reports on service contract amendments without material change, executed contracts, and emergency procurements were presented, with no further business before adjournment.

Transcript Highlights:

• It exempts drug manufacturers that are registered with the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy from liability
• It exempts drug manufacturers that are registered with the Arizona State Board of Pharmacy from liability

Keywords: 1182, all

Transcript Highlights:

• within certain proximities of insured persons to make sure they have access to either physical pharmacies
• or hospitals, you know, there are... ...to make sure they have access to either physical pharmacies

Summary: The Committee for Insurance met with a quorum and first took up three bills in executive session. House Bill 2902 was amended with a committee substitute that removed the commission language while keeping provisions on software and key-emulating devices, and members confirmed it still included a Class D felony penalty. The committee adopted the substitute and voted the bill do pass, with one member voting no. House Bill 1789, dealing with delivery network companies and insurance coverage during the delivery availability period, was also amended and adopted; the substitute clarified that the availability period is not commercial activity and that auto insurance applies until a driver is actually engaged in delivery. The committee then voted the bill do pass, with one no vote and one present. House Bill 1647 was amended to remove it from the collateral source rule section and clarify that it applies only to civil actions for damages and property claims; the substitute was adopted and the bill voted do pass, with several no votes recorded. The committee then held a public hearing on House Bill 1894, which would implement federal nondiscrimination requirements for licensed health care providers in Missouri insurance law. The sponsor said the bill is about patient choice, fairness, and access, especially in rural areas, and does not expand scope of practice or require coverage of new services. Supporters from chiropractic, nursing, occupational therapy, podiatry, and nurse anesthetist groups said the bill would ensure equal reimbursement for the same covered services and improve access to local providers. Opponents from the insurance industry argued the bill would interfere with network design, reduce negotiating leverage, and require equal payment regardless of provider type or credentials; they also said current federal law already governs network adequacy and that the bill’s rulemaking language was standard but the reimbursement mandate was the main concern. The committee also heard House Bill 3314, which updates Missouri’s insurance guaranty association laws. The sponsor and supporters explained that the bill would clarify coverage for cyber policies, ensure coverage follows the policyholder in insurance business transfer or corporate division transactions, and allow limited pre-liquidation information sharing from the Department of Commerce and Insurance to guaranty associations so claims can be handled faster after insolvency. Witnesses said the bill is technical and intended to modernize the system without expanding coverage or increasing taxpayer exposure. Members asked about the $300,000 property and casualty claims cap, the definition of high-net-worth individual, oversight of guaranty associations, and confidentiality concerns; supporters said the cap is longstanding, high-net-worth means over $25 million, and the department’s existing oversight and confidentiality protections are sufficient. The hearing closed after a final supportive statement from the Missouri Insurance Coalition, and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• HB 1425, Consultant Pharmacies.
• We have Kathy Baldwin with the Florida Society of Health System Pharmacy and Florida Health System.

Transcript Highlights:

• So if we have the pharmacy open or that liquor store, right, whatever, but if the pharmacy is allowed

Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 3037, which would allow certain Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Account tax credits, beginning in 2028, to be carried back to the immediately prior tax year. Representative Allen said the bill was a technical timing change that would not alter the credit amount, cap, refundability, transferability, or other safeguards. Supporters, including the American Federation for Children and a representative of the scholarship organization, said the change would help donors better match contributions to their actual tax liability and could increase participation. One member raised concern about the fiscal impact on education funding, noting the Department of Revenue’s estimate of reduced revenue, while the sponsor said the delayed start date was intended to give the state time to plan. The committee then heard House Bill 2830, which would increase the recorder fee that funds the Missouri Housing Trust Fund from $3 to $9 per real estate document. Representative Collins said the increase would strengthen funding for affordable housing, rental assistance, and homeless prevention. Supporters from Empower Missouri, Love Columbia, Peter and Paul Community Services, and Missouri’s Coalition of Recovery Support Providers testified that the fund is under-resourced, with many requests going unmet and some housing programs unable to support new construction or rehabilitation projects. They described local housing shortages, homelessness, and the need for more capital funding, arguing the fee increase would help meet demand without using general revenue. No opposition testimony was presented. Finally, the committee took up House Bills 1778 and 2760, both aimed at protecting religious exercise during emergencies. The sponsors said the bills were prompted by COVID-era restrictions on churches and would prevent government orders from limiting worship services, while still allowing compliance with building and fire codes and excluding violence or harm. Members debated whether the bills would create a special exemption for houses of worship and whether they could interfere with public health responses to future outbreaks. A Baptist minister testified in opposition, arguing that religious gatherings should not receive special treatment and that restrictions should apply consistently to all mass gatherings. The hearing ended without a vote, and the committee adjourned after public testimony.

Transcript Highlights:

• At the same time, there is some evidence of misuse of the 340B program, meaning contracting with pharmacies
• there's not a clear connection between the medical care these hospitals or FQHCs are providing and the pharmacy

Keywords: 904, all

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.

Transcript Highlights:

• At the same time, there is some evidence of misuse of the 340B program, meaning contracting with pharmacies
• there's not a clear connection between the medical care these hospitals or FQHCs are providing and the pharmacy

Summary: Republican legislative leaders used the availability to focus on affordability, budget pressures, and opposition to several Democratic tax proposals. They criticized a circulating draft income tax proposal as a de facto small-business tax, arguing it would hurt LLCs, S corporations, housing investment, and the broader economy. They also attacked a proposed tire fee, a possible cigarette tax increase, and other tax ideas as regressive or hidden from consumers, while saying Republicans would not support any tax increases and urging budget cuts and spending restraint instead. The leaders said they planned to raise these concerns in an upcoming meeting with Governor Ferguson, along with questions about his budget and how he reconciles prior opposition to a wealth tax with support for an income tax. They also discussed a bill to make it harder to qualify initiatives for the legislature, calling it anti-democratic, and said the majority was ignoring or undermining voter-driven policy efforts. On child welfare, they criticized DCYF oversight and supported stronger accountability, including a bill to fix the state’s “imminent harm” standard and another proposal to stop the state from collecting certain federal disability and survivor benefits from foster youth. Other topics included tort liability reform, where Republicans said the state’s repeated failures in child welfare and juvenile rehabilitation are the underlying problem, not just the cost of claims, though they were open to limited reforms such as disclosure of litigation financing. They also discussed the 340B drug pricing program, saying it is complicated and could affect hospitals, FQHCs, patients, and pharmaceutical innovation. On public safety and technology, they expressed cautious support for bills regulating kids’ social media and AI use, but stressed First Amendment concerns and the need to avoid private rights of action; they were more skeptical of a bill limiting police retention of automatic license plate reader data, saying law enforcement needs effective tools to solve crimes. No votes were taken, and the event ended with Republicans reiterating that affordability was their top priority.

Transcript Highlights:

• They asked us where we wanted our pharmacy.
• They asked us where we wanted our pharmacy.

Summary: The Health Care Facilities and System Subcommittee met with a quorum and considered five bills. HB 1101 on out-of-network providers drew the most discussion; Rep. Albert said it would require written notice when a patient is referred to an out-of-network provider and would count certain insurer payments toward deductibles. Several members and the Florida College of Emergency Physicians raised concerns about placing the burden on doctors’ offices, possible delays in referrals, and unclear enforcement, but the bill was reported favorably 16-2. Public testimony included support from AARP and concerns from emergency physicians about ER workflow and insurance-network transparency. The committee then unanimously approved PCS for HB 475, reducing fines for ambulatory surgery centers that violate good-faith estimate requirements from $1,000 to $250 per day, with a lower maximum penalty. The bill sponsor said the change was intended to right-size penalties for smaller facilities; witnesses from surgery centers and HCA supported it. HB 797, which would allow a nonprofit retirement community serving veterans and spouses to create veteran-and-spouse nursing home beds and transfer a certificate of need within 100 miles, also passed unanimously after members discussed whether it could affect access for veterans; the sponsor said it would create additional private beds rather than displace existing ones. HB 1085 on the Children’s Medical Services Program was amended and reported favorably 14-3. The bill would move managed care plan operations for medically fragile children from the Department of Health to AHCA, keep clinical eligibility at DOH, and shift PPEC services fully into managed care. The adopted amendment changed the waiver provision to require AHCA to develop and present a comprehensive redesign plan for the Medicaid model waiver for children receiving private duty nursing. Several members supported the goal but raised concerns about eliminating family choice and the impact on medically fragile children. Finally, HB 1353 on home health care services passed unanimously. The bill would remove geographic limits on home health administrators, allow more licensed RNs including contract RNs to perform visits, and revise the home health excellence award program. Supporters said it would address workforce shortages and improve access, while one member warned it could increase costs and competition for nurses. The committee adjourned after reporting all five bills favorably.

Transcript Highlights:

• Most of that is for active hospital medical, and then you've got your pharmacy, which is for actives
• It's not just with the MPDP; they do a lot of pharmacy work and many things on the hospital medical side

Bills: HB205, HB226, HB234

Keywords: sales tax, use tax, exemption, tax conformity, tangible personal property, Alabama Department of Revenue, retail tax, consumer use tax, nonresident, religious publications, church magazines, Bible class materials, Sunday school materials, tax administration, indirect tax, state revenue, HB226, homestead exemption, ad valorem tax, property tax

Transcript Highlights:

• Turned out she was cutting her dose in half to save on pharmacy costs.
• Turned out she was cutting her dose in half to save on pharmacy costs.
• I was recently denied coverage for a prescription by a pharmacy because it costs too much and my insurance
• Two, you can get local pharmacies to work with you on discounted prices of prescription drugs.

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Health Care Financing held a public hearing on 16 bills, with the chairs noting a busy legislative day and asking speakers to keep testimony brief. The committee first heard testimony on Senate 860/House 1405, the Medicare for All bill, with Sen. Jamie Eldridge and many advocates, clinicians, municipal officials, and patients arguing that a single-payer system would make care a right, reduce administrative waste, lower costs, and protect residents from rising premiums, medical debt, and hospital closures. Several speakers cited the Steward hospital crisis, affordability problems, and polling or ballot questions showing public support for single-payer coverage. No vote was taken during the hearing. The committee then took testimony on S. 863, a bill on non-opioid options for chronic pain. Pain specialists, patients, and advocates said the bill would improve care coordination for MassHealth members, expand access to non-opioid medications, require provider education, and collect data on chronic pain. Testifiers described long delays in diagnosis and treatment, stigma toward pain patients, and the need for multidisciplinary care and transportation support. Again, the committee heard testimony only and took no action. A large portion of the hearing focused on H. 1360/S. 869, which would prevent discrimination against people with disabilities in health care. Disability advocates, clinicians, and patients described being denied or delayed care, pressured into DNR orders, or treated based on assumptions about quality of life rather than medical facts. Speakers referenced COVID-era crisis standards of care, discriminatory metrics, and personal stories involving canceled procedures, inadequate accommodations, and poor treatment in hospitals. Committee members thanked speakers for their testimony and said they would review the bill and its implications, but no vote was announced. The committee also heard testimony on H. 1399, an individual Medicare marketplace option for municipal retirees, where supporters said it would give cities and towns a lower-cost alternative for retiree health benefits through HRAs and individual Medicare plans. The hearing then returned to Medicare for All testimony, with additional supporters repeating arguments about cost, access, municipal budget pressure, and the need for global budgeting and universal coverage. The transcript ends with continued testimony and no recorded committee vote or final action on any bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• But under current law, plans and pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, can make changes to formularies
• But under current law, plans and pharmacy benefit managers, or PBMs, can make changes to formularies
• Agricultural work often happens in remote, rural areas far from stores, pharmacies, or health facilities
• women work in California's agriculture sector, many in rural and remote areas far from stores, pharmacies

Summary: The committee heard several health-related bills. AB 1825 by Krell would clarify California’s offenders with mental health disorders program by tightening the standard for determining “substantial danger of physical harm,” improving exit planning, and expanding Medi-Cal access for people released after a successful challenge. Supporters, including psychiatrists, prosecutors, and medical groups, said the bill would close gaps in care and protect public safety; county behavioral health directors and Disability Rights California registered concerns. AB 1696 by Stephanie would state that nurse midwives do not need physician supervision when providing care within their existing scope, including EMTALA-related evaluation in labor and delivery settings. Nurse midwives and nursing groups supported the bill, while emergency physicians opposed it unless amended, arguing emergency department screening should remain under physician supervision; the author said she would keep working on the issue. AB 1949 by Lee would make acupuncture a separate Medi-Cal benefit and allow up to 24 visits per year. The author and supporters from acupuncture, health access, and integrative medicine groups said the current monthly cap is too restrictive and that acupuncture is an effective, cost-saving alternative for pain management and other conditions. There was no opposition. AB 2330 by Patterson would create a distinct regulatory category for cold spas, with standards for construction, operation, and disinfection. Fitness and wellness groups supported the bill, environmental health administrators had no formal position but thanked the author for amendments, and a committee member raised concerns about local officials interpreting the bill to require separate enclosures from saunas; the author said she would continue working on the language. AB 2000 by Aguirre-Curry would limit mid-year changes to prescription drug formularies and add notice, exceptions, reporting, and enforcement provisions. Family physicians, chronic care advocates, nurses, pharmacists, and patient groups supported the bill, citing non-medical switching and treatment disruptions; health plans and insurers opposed it, warning of higher costs, reduced flexibility, and premium increases. AB 1929 by Ortega would require health plans to disclose investments, including in private prisons and immigrant detention centers. Supporters framed it as a transparency measure tied to patient premiums and public values, while opponents argued the bill was duplicative, burdensome, and potentially harmful to investment confidentiality. AB 2746 by Schiavo would classify medical credit card debt as medical debt so it would not appear on credit reports. Consumer advocates and legal aid groups supported the bill, describing abusive marketing and housing harms; banks, debt collectors, and industry groups opposed it as unworkable and privacy-invasive. The committee took roll on AB 2746 and passed it on a due pass motion to Banking and Finance, with several members voting aye and a few no votes recorded.

Transcript Highlights:

• The department is committed to ensuring timely access to gender-affirming care, including pharmacy services
• The department is committed to ensuring timely access to gender-affirming care, including pharmacy services
• , medical care... ...access to gender-affirming care, including pharmacy services, medical care, mental
• medical necessity consistent with clinical guidelines, access to gender affirming care, including pharmacy

Summary: The joint hearing focused on access to gender-affirming care in California, with opening remarks emphasizing the state’s legal protections, the importance of decorum, and the impact of federal actions on transgender, gender-diverse, and intersex Californians. The Department of Justice, Department of Managed Health Care (DMHC), and Department of Health Care Services (DHCS) described current state protections, including nondiscrimination rules, privacy and shield laws, Medi-Cal and commercial coverage requirements for medically necessary care, and ongoing litigation challenging federal executive orders, proposed rules, and HHS actions that could restrict care or threaten provider participation in Medicare and Medicaid. Officials also noted that California continues to oppose federal proposals through lawsuits and public comments, and that the state is preparing strategies if those proposals are finalized. Members asked about hospital closures or pauses in care, continuity of care, provider network adequacy, whether additional legislation or funding is needed, and how the state can better track access and enforce existing protections. DMHC said it monitors complaints and independent medical reviews, but does not have a specific provider category for gender-affirming care and does not collect utilization data by service type; DHCS said Medi-Cal covers medically necessary gender-affirming care and that federal proposals are not yet final. Finance staff said the previously approved $15 million allocation is still being implemented through Covered California. The second panel heard from a physician, clinic leaders, parents, and a transgender youth about how families and providers navigate access to care. Dr. Johanna Olson-Kennedy described the history of transgender medical care, the role of puberty blockers and hormones, and said minors need parental consent for medical interventions, while emphasizing that care should be individualized and that supportive parents improve outcomes. She also described the closure of the Children’s Hospital Los Angeles youth program and the difficulty of rebuilding care in private practice, including insurance contracting barriers and inadequate reimbursement. J.M. Jaffe of Lyon Martin Community Health Services said the clinic has expanded to serve minors after hospital programs closed, but that the shift has created major financial strain and increased demand, and asked for a $26 million state investment to stabilize transgender health services. Parents and youth described delays, cancellations, and uncertainty at Kaiser, Stanford, UCSF, and Rady Children’s, along with the emotional and medical consequences of interrupted care. One parent said TRICARE stopped covering her son’s care after federal changes and that Rady later closed its clinic; her family urged California to backfill lost access and funding. A 16-year-old trans student and other witnesses argued that California should remain a reliable source of care and that current protections are not enough without funding, provider support, and stronger enforcement.

Transcript Highlights:

• Governor's Message number 748 withdrawing a nomination to the Board of Pharmacy. Now file.
• 49.120><c> of</c> withdrawing a nomination to the Board of withdrawing a nomination to the Board of Pharmacy
• </c> Pharmacy. Now, file. Pharmacy. Now, file.

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• . >> And this committee will come back at 1:30 for pharmacy, then 2:00 chiropractic examiners, 2:15 PT
• gt; And this committee will come back at 1:30 1:30 1:30 for<00:42:21.119><c> um</c> for um for um pharmacy
• ,<00:42:24.400><c> then</c><00:42:24.640><c> 2:00</c><00:42:25.119><c> chiropractic</c> pharmacy, then
• 2:00 chiropractic pharmacy, then 2:00 chiropractic examiners,<00:42:26.560><c> 2:15</c><00:42:27.280

Keywords: Appropriations - Room 409, 28 January, 2026; 10:30 A.M., 925, all

Transcript Highlights:

• non-formula support. the law school, the College of Business, the College of Education, and the pharmacy
• The second aspect of health care that we're focusing on is the expansion of our very excellent pharmacy
• And we will provide a satellite. pharmacy school at that location.
• We have 260 law students, 88 optometry students, and 107 pharmacy students.

Keywords: 1184, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And yet, the Arizona employment people are telling us that by 2034, we will have job growth compound
• We will have job growth compound at 1.2 percent.

Summary: The Senate convened with prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, recorded attendance, approved the prior journal, and made temporary committee appointments. It then resolved into Committee of the Whole to consider SB 1106, a tax conformity bill tied to federal tax changes. Senators debated the measure at length, with supporters arguing it would provide tax relief, certainty for taxpayers and businesses, and conformity with federal filing rules, while opponents said it would reduce state revenue, favor wealthier taxpayers and corporations, and should be handled in budget negotiations or a special session. The bill advanced from Committee of the Whole and, on third reading, passed the Senate 17-12 with one not voting, then was transmitted to the House and later to the governor. During the floor debate, senators focused on the bill’s effects on child care deductions, senior deductions, overtime and tip income, business expensing, and a provision related to federal school voucher tax credits. Democrats argued the bill would worsen budget pressures, undermine funding for education, roads, public safety, and human services, and do little for families on child care waitlists or seniors still working. Republicans countered that the bill would keep more money in taxpayers’ pockets, support working families and small businesses, and align Arizona’s tax code with federal changes to avoid confusion for filers. After the tax vote, Senator Bolick read a proclamation honoring Arizona and U.S. law enforcement, citing fallen officers, officer assaults, and the need for training, equipment, mental health support, and tougher penalties for attacks on officers. The Senate then received and referred a large number of new bills to committees, announced upcoming committee meetings, and adjourned until Tuesday, January 20, 2026.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that way the interest is compounding on interest.
• So that way the interest is compounding on interest.

Keywords: 959, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Compounding our challenges, we've also experienced the loss of our local school due to consolidation—an
• This is compounded by high water tables in the area, resulting in two to three hundred percent flow increases

Bills: HF568, HF433, HF1689, HF3135, HF3137, HF3145, HF2887, HF2819, HF2802, HF2664, HF2267, HF799, HF800, HF3049, HF296, HF580, HF1438, HF1237

Keywords: special education, education funding, construction, Minnesota, regional educational programs, HF433, Cloquet Area Fire District, fire station, capital investment, bonding bill, state bonds, general obligation bonds, public safety, emergency services, fire protection, local infrastructure, Minnesota capital budget, DEED grant, municipal facilities, station construction

Transcript Highlights:

• Capital, like trust and reputation, compounds over time.
• Funeral expenses, loss of wages, and displacement can all compound the trauma.

Bills: HB 104, HB2054, HB3459, HB3745, HB4486, HB4488, HB4601, HB104

Keywords: Texas Future Fund, investment review board, economic stabilization, innovative technology, national defense, HB 2054, Texas volunteer fire department assistance fund, Rural Volunteer Fire Department Assistance Program, volunteer fire departments, wildfire mitigation, wildland fire, rural fire protection, insurer assessment, insurance premium tax, state appropriations, firefighting grants, emergency services, high-risk wildfire areas, Texas Comptroller, Texas Government Code