Transcript Highlights:

• is federal, and they're not allowed to exceed that except for increases in caseload, additional coverage
• Except for increases in caseload, additional coverage consistent with 1959 utilization rates and reduction
• Section 31, the department will review the amount, duration, coverage, utilization rates, medical necessity

Keywords: 908, all

Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 1012, the Department of Health and Human Services budget. Senator Dever walked through the amended budget, highlighting a roughly $5.85 billion all-funds total, major one-time items for IT, child care, housing, behavioral health, juvenile justice, rural EMS, and supportive housing, along with funding for Medicaid expansion, CCBHCs, opioid settlement uses, and several studies and reporting requirements. Members discussed the provider inflation increase, with Senator Mathern urging a 2%/2% rate instead of 2%/1.5%, but the committee adopted the subcommittee amendment and then passed the amended bill 15-0 with a do-pass recommendation. Senator Dever was named as carrier. The committee then considered House Bill 1540, a school choice/education savings account-style bill. Senator Shibley explained the subcommittee amendments, including clarifying the Bank of North Dakota as administrator, adding a means test at 400% of the federal poverty guideline, and adjusting the fiscal note to about $21.7 million for the second year. In debate, members raised concerns about the bank being assigned duties outside its normal role, the lack of DPI involvement, and whether the means test should be tiered rather than a hard cutoff. The committee rejected a do-not-pass motion 5-10-1, then approved a do-pass motion on the amended bill 9-6-1, with Senator Wobama noted as the likely carrier. The meeting ended with the chair announcing the committee would adjourn and reconvene the next morning.

Transcript Highlights:

• Senator DiCeglie: This bill helps provide affordable healthcare coverage options for Florida farmers
• This coverage is part of the rural renaissance of Florida's small and less densely populated regions,
• Senator Pizzo: Is being a Democrat a pre-existing condition that excludes you from coverage?

Keywords: 998, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• INJURIES RELATED TO THE ACCIDENT BUT BECAUSE OF THE NARROW TARIFF LING OF HIS LAW HE IS LEFT WITHOUT COVERAGE
• SENATE BILL 1160 EXPAND THE CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH AN ELIGIBILITY FOR THESE COVERAGES BEING PROVIDED
• THEY HAVE THIS HEALTH CARE COVERAGE FOR CATASTROPHIC LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS AND FAMILIES AND SHOULD

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• I'm all for increased accountability, and I have a bill about that bodily injury coverage in Senator
• I'm all for increased accountability, and I have a bill about that bodily injury coverage in Senator
• has led to the death... ...increased accountability, and I have a bill about that bodily injury coverage

Summary: The Appropriations Committee on Transportation, Tourism, and Economic Development met to review its fiscal year 2025-2026 budget proposal and several bills. The chair outlined a roughly $18 billion budget area, including major funding for the Department of Transportation work program, Visit Florida, library/cultural/historical initiatives, affordable housing, National Guard tuition assistance, and Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles needs. The committee adopted a motion allowing technical adjustments and then approved the budget proposal as a recommendation to the full Senate Appropriations Committee. The committee next heard and approved CS/SB 666, creating a Miami Northwestern Alumni Association specialty license plate, with proceeds supporting scholarships, academic, athletic, and arts programs at Miami Northwestern Senior High School. Members praised the school’s academic and athletic achievements, and the bill was reported favorably without opposition. The committee also heard extensive testimony on CS/SB 1318, which would rename Florida’s texting-while-driving law as the hands-free driving law and expand the prohibition to handheld use of wireless devices, including in work zones. Supporters, including law enforcement, health care, bicycling, and crash victims’ advocates, argued it would save lives and make enforcement clearer; some senators supported the goal but raised concerns about enforcement, privacy, and impacts on drivers with older vehicles. The bill was reported favorably. The committee then approved SB 1408, designating memorial highways in Hillsborough and Charlotte counties for Master Patrol Officer Jesse Madsen and Sergeant Elio Diaz, and SB 1516, creating the International Aerospace Innovation Fund to be administered by Space Florida to support partnerships between Florida and international aerospace companies. Both bills were reported favorably with little debate. Senators also requested to be recorded in the affirmative on selected bills, and the meeting adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Homeland Security, Public Safety and Veterans Affairs, AG 2610 by Rosenthal relating to the Medicaid coverage
• the Live Well Texas program and the expansion of Medicaid eligibility to provide health benefit coverage
• HB 2677 by Thompson relating to Medicaid coverage and reimbursement for the treatment of obesity and

Transcript Highlights:

• committee for taking up the measure and said that, while they tried alternative ways of assuring coverage
• for nursing parents on Medicaid, they have not successfully found a way to add IBCs to Medicaid coverage
• 00:16:11.480> ibc's<00:16:12.480> to<00:16:12.680> Medicaid<00:16:13.240> coverage

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services committee heard several resolutions focused on health care access, Medicaid services, and regulatory reform. SR 6 urged the Director of Health to create a working group on health insurance reform to reduce prior authorization delays; testimony was generally supportive, with DHS, SHIPA, the Hawaii Association of Health Plans, the Hawaii Primary Care Association, the Hawaii Medical Association, and HMSA all offering comments or support. SHIPA said House Bill 250 would provide a better mechanism for the same goal, but the committee still moved forward with the resolution. SR 7 asked DHS Med-QUEST to cover behavioral health services for children in school-based settings, and SR 9 sought a program to incentivize community care foster family homes to accept people eligible under the Medicaid IDD waiver program. DHS supported the intent of both measures but raised concerns about regulatory limits. Testifiers on SR 9, including the Hawaii State Council on Developmental Disabilities and the Hawaii Disability Rights Center, argued the state should be more creative in expanding residential capacity, especially on the neighbor islands, while the chair questioned whether the barriers were state administrative rules or federal requirements. The committee also heard SC 14/SR 10 on a sunrise analysis for lactation consultant licensure. Supporters said lactation services can improve health outcomes and save costs, and that Medicaid coverage remains limited. After discussion, the committee adopted the chair’s recommendations: SR 6 and SC 14/SR 10 were passed with technical, non-substantive amendments; SR 7 was deferred; and SR 9 was deferred for further work. The meeting then adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Insurance carriers are leaving the state, reducing coverage, raising deductibles, declining coverage
• Increased rates and reduced coverage from private insurers will exacerbate the cost of insurer of last

Bills: SB 21, SB21, SB72, SB140, SB262, SB370, SB372, SB495, SB627, SB703, SB764, SB842

Keywords: emergency alerts, weather alerts, public safety, local government, municipality, county, website posting, online notice, emergency management, disaster preparedness, evacuation, National Weather Service, NOAA, Texas Division of Emergency Management, TDEM, localized alerts, hazard warnings, severe weather, watch warning advisory, public information

Transcript Highlights:

• promising, innovative policies to address health-related social needs, such as expanding Medicaid coverage
• patients are caregivers for both young children and older relatives. that affect their health care coverage
• who I really wish this was one of the services I was able to prescribe her as part of her Medicare coverage

Keywords: health policy, lifespan, quality of life, community health, public testimony

Summary: The committee meeting was marked by discussions surrounding health policies aimed at enhancing the lifespan and quality of life for the community members. The chairperson initiated the session with personal reflections on the importance of extending not just the years of life but also the quality of those years, especially from the perspective of parents and grandparents. Members engaged in thoughtful dialogue regarding potential legislative measures that could address public health in a more holistic manner, emphasizing the need for community outreach and effective health education programs.

Transcript Highlights:

• I AM NOT WITH THE NEW MEDICAID DENTAL PLAN SO I DON'T KNOW ALL OF THE COVERAGE BUT AS WE WORK WITH OUR
• THE MEDICAID MANAGED MEDICAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM MMA TO THE STATES DENTAL PROGRAM THAT – AND THE COVERAGE
• AND THERE IS BASICALLY NO COVERAGE FOR ADULT DENTAL SERVICES BESIDE EMERGENCY DENTAL SERVICES.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And by competitive, we look to see how many are offering coverage and what's the percentage.
• coverage coverage and<01:17:54.800> uh<01:17:55.280> and<01:17:55.560> what's<01
• Uh, you can get coverage, but it's more costly. Uh, you can get coverage, but it's more costly.
• The equipment is being replaced, and there is no maintenance coverage for it. paying these?
• that there is no maintenance coverage that there is no maintenance coverage for. for. for.

Keywords: 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• It's also the conduit by which they go and get the coverage, and so that's why that particular piece
• and so that's why and get the coverage and so that's why that<01:37:34.199> particular<01:37:
• There is no state thus far who's made any use of the insurers' transparency and coverage data.
• There is no state thus far who's made any use of the insurers' transparency and coverage data.
• There is no state thus far who's made any use of the insurers' transparency and coverage data.

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee first took up several bills and repeatedly chose to retain or table them rather than advance them. House 167, dealing with past wax, was voted ought to pass; House 312 was retained because members said NCAA-related advertising and uniform policy issues were still unresolved; House 434, requiring insurers to provide rental cars for at least seven days, was voted inexpedient to legislate; and House 454, on biodegradable packaging claims, was also voted inexpedient to legislate after members said the proposal lacked a workable enforcement mechanism and would likely be only a symbolic state-by-state measure. House 721, making gold legal tender, was retained, with members saying the bill needed more work and that the issue was less compelling in New Hampshire because the state has no sales tax. The committee then discussed House 310, which was amended to create a study commission on blockchain and related regulatory issues. The amendment expanded the commission’s charge to include legal, regulatory, financial, technological, and environmental considerations, added review of federal developments, included blockchain-based trust and stable token issues, broadened membership, and extended the repeal and report dates by a year. Members said the commission would help New Hampshire develop expertise and a report for future legislation, while also noting that federal action could affect the state’s role. The amendment was adopted 8-1, and the bill itself was then retained. Finally, the subcommittee heard a revised amendment to House 406 on business filings and registered agents. The Secretary of State’s office explained that the amendment, drafted with input from the Business and Industry Association, narrows the bill to address fraudulent or unauthorized entity filings after a written complaint and sworn statement, sets minimum requirements for registered agents, bars use of commercial mail-drop addresses as registered offices, and allows removal or cancellation of fraudulent filings with penalties for false filings. Members asked about which entities must maintain registered offices and how the rules would affect home-based businesses; the sponsor said most New Hampshire business entities must have a registered office, with some exceptions such as domestic nonprofits and trade names. The discussion emphasized concerns about synthetic entities, identity misuse, and the need for a physical in-state registered agent address.

Transcript Highlights:

• the portability statutes, specifically the statutes providing for combined service annuities and coverage
• <00:20:27.919> by<00:20:28.159> the receiving retirement coverage by the receiving
• retirement coverage by the correctional<00:20:28.880> plan<00:20:29.679> even<00:20:29.919
• <00:21:38.480> for<00:21:38.799> particular seizing coverage for particular seizing
• coverage for particular employees.<00:21:40.400> A<00:21:40.640> single<00:21:40.960><

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• needs to pass. 93,000 people in Contra Costa County—93,000—are at risk of losing their Medi-Cal coverage
• decision on how to fix it to make sure that people are going to be able to maintain health care coverage

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Summary: The Senate committee heard AB 1768, authored by Assembly Member Brian, which would allow Los Angeles County and Contra Costa County voters to consider a local sales tax increase to help replace health care and safety-net funding lost to federal cuts, including impacts tied to H.R. 1 and Medicaid reimbursement reductions. The author and supporters argued the bill simply gives local voters the authority to decide how to respond to clinic closures, staffing shortages, and projected losses affecting Medi-Cal, CalFresh, hospitals, and community health centers. Support came from the California Primary Care Association, Planned Parenthood Affiliates of California, California Professional Firefighters, SEIU California, Teamsters California, the California Federation of Labor Unions, electrical and pipe trades groups, AFSCME California, and Contra Costa County. Opposition came from the cities of Glendale and Burbank, and several senators raised concerns that the measure would increase taxes and burden residents already facing high costs of living. Senator Seyarto argued the state should address its own spending and questioned whether the federal government was truly responsible for the funding shortfalls, while Senator Choi said the proposal would add to taxpayers’ burdens and could set a precedent for other local tax requests. Supporters responded that the bill does not impose a tax itself, but only permits county voters to decide whether to approve one. Senator Arreguin moved the bill for a due pass recommendation to the Senate floor. The committee approved the motion on a 5-2 vote, with the bill passing out of committee and being placed on the Senate floor.

Transcript Highlights:

• There is a coverage gap in Georgia.
• Gap in Georgia it is we're is a coverage Gap in Georgia it is we're talking<04:04:26.880> 175,000
• If all of a sudden 58,000 people lose coverage, they will still get sick and end up in the ER.
• If all of a sudden 58,000 people lose coverage, they will still get sick and end up in the ER.
• <05:19:15.400> on<05:19:15.558> the roles will buy coverage on the roles will buy coverage

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Without insurance coverage, people are far less likely to receive routine preventive services, including
• Without insurance coverage, people are far less likely to receive routine preventive services, including
• <00:16:16.560> when residents losing health coverage when residents losing health coverage
• the cost analysis of the of the coverage the cost analysis of the of the coverage and<00:24:04.720
• <01:06:17.280> um certain minimum coverage amounts. um certain minimum coverage amounts. um

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The joint hearing opened with House Bill 1969, which would provide state funding for colorectal cancer screenings for uninsured and underinsured residents. The Department of Human Services said it supports the goal of early screening but would need new administrative capacity, including a program manager and claim pre-screening, to run the program. The Department of Health supported the measure and cited low screening rates in Hawaii, noting an educational campaign to encourage screening. The Insurance Division raised concerns about reliance on federal FAQs, warning that guidance can change and may create state cost exposure. Supporters including the American Cancer Society Cancer Action Network and the Hawaii Medical Association argued the bill would close a preventive-care gap, reduce late-stage diagnoses, and save long-term costs; the committee also discussed implementation costs, estimated by DHS at roughly $1.4 million to $2 million annually plus administrative expenses, and a 6-month to 1-year timeline to establish the program. The committee then took up House Bill 1965, which would require health carriers to spend at least 6% of total medical expenditures on primary care providers. The Insurance Division said several provisions raise technical and legal concerns, including the premium freeze, the medical loss ratio language, the lack of an existing external review process for downcoding claims, and a new mandate for medically necessary inter-island transportation that could trigger an ACA defrayal. The Department of Human Services supported the intent but suggested broader language to include primary care supports and services, and noted that QUEST integration plans already invested at least 9% of total medical expenditures in primary care in 2024, with additional spending on supports and low-value care reductions. State health planning officials strongly supported the bill as an investment in primary care, saying it could improve outcomes and lower long-term costs, though they acknowledged a possible temporary premium increase during the transition. Testimony in support emphasized Hawaii’s physician shortage, especially on Maui, the Big Island, and other neighbor islands, and warned that clinics are under financial strain and may close without higher primary care reimbursement. The Hawaii Healthcare Task Force, AARP Hawaii, and other supporters said the bill would help retain providers, improve access for Medicare and Medicaid patients, and prevent downstream costs from emergency room use and avoidable hospitalizations. No votes or final committee action were taken in the portion of the hearing provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• to all officers uh warrant coverage to all officers uh warrant officers<00:19:09.600> and<00:
• But emerging from the testimony is this real concern about additional living expense coverage.
• Emerging from the testimony is this additional living expense coverage.
• Additional living expense coverage, especially in times of disaster.
• I don't—I would say that it does vary among companies, the types of coverage they'll have.

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Committee on Public Safety met on January 31, 2025, and first heard House Bill 1062, a housekeeping measure relating to the Hawaii Air National Guard. Testimony in support came from representatives of the Adjutant General and other National Guard witnesses. A member raised a technical question about language allowing the Guard to hold the rank authorized by the Department of the Air Force, and the response was that the bill should not require additional HR language; no vote was taken. The committee then heard House Bill 674, which would authorize allowances for TRICARE dental and vision coverage for Hawaii National Guard personnel ordered to active duty for more than 30 days. The Department of Defense supported the bill through Brigadier General Ross, Director of Joint Staff, and Terry Heiti also testified in support. There were no questions or action taken on the measure. House Bill 652, relating to veterans’ rights and benefits and regulating compensation for advice or assistance on veterans’ benefits, drew the most discussion. The Veterans of Foreign Wars Department of Hawaii supported the bill, arguing it would protect veterans from illegal or exploitative practices and noting its own service to more than 2,000 veterans in fiscal year 2024. Opposition came from the National Association for Veterans Rights and Veteran Benefits Guide, which argued the bill would restrict access to needed services and that some for-profit providers operate legally and should not be barred. Committee members questioned the scope of the bill, accreditation requirements, and whether nonprofit or pro bono services would be affected. A Department of Defense veteran services official said veterans can be vulnerable to exploitation and that some legal fee arrangements can be abusive, while also noting pro bono options exist. The committee did not reach a decision on the bill during the excerpt. The committee also began hearing House Bill 1058, which would create a veteran cemetery board within the Office of Veteran Services to help state veteran cemeteries comply with federal standards. The Office of Veteran Services and Terry Heiti testified in support. Members asked about the board’s membership, timeline, and consultant selection, and were told the working group was still in an organizational stage and no construction timeline had been set. The final measure discussed was House Bill 503, which would appropriate funds for a consultant to evaluate locations and designs for a Hawaii First Responders Memorial. The Department of Accounting and General Services supported the bill, and testimony in support was received from county and city officials, UPW Hawaii, and individuals. Members asked about the working group, timeline, and budget, and were told the project was still in early planning; no final action was taken in the portion provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• provide 12 months of continuous coverage provide 12 months of continuous coverage um<00:36:27.000
• I think in terms of what the coverage I think in terms of what the coverage would<01:03:21.920><
• So when you say you pick up—when Medicaid picks up the coverage—it's still at that 50% threshold when
• I'll say again, we have people that specialize in looking at coverage issues and making sure that, if
• I'll say again, we have people that specialize in looking at coverage issues and making sure that, if

Keywords: 1189, house, all

Summary: The subcommittee met to begin work on HB 742, which would require catastrophic special education aid to be drawn from the education trust fund, and more broadly to study special education aid/differentiated aid and related costing issues. The chair said the group was starting early because the issue has been debated for years without resolution, local districts are being forced to absorb prorated costs, and the committee wants to send the Department of Education and HHS Medicaid a clear request for data and recommendations before retained bills return in the fall. A committee clerk was also selected, with Representative Reverend volunteering to take notes for the meeting. Members reviewed background materials on special education enrollment, high-cost students, and possible funding formulas, including data on students in high-cost brackets and prior ideas such as category-based funding and caseload-based approaches. The chair also referenced research on other states, including Arkansas, which uses a different special education funding structure and audits IEPs. The committee emphasized that it was focused on the funding mechanics and costs, not on questioning whether services should be provided. Henry Lipman of HHS explained how Medicaid-to-schools currently works in New Hampshire. He said 172 school districts participate, but utilization dropped during the pandemic and remains below historical levels, in part because districts need the capacity to bill Medicaid. Under the current system, schools receive reimbursement based on half of the Medicaid fee schedule, with the school district effectively providing the state share. He said the federal government is requiring a shift by July 1, 2026, to a true certified public expenditure model based on actual costs, which should allow schools to recover 50% of their true costs and some administrative overhead. The department has received a roughly $2.5 million grant to hire a vendor and support districts through the transition, and an RFP and stakeholder meetings are underway. Committee members asked about how costs would be determined, whether the new system would use actual district-specific costs rather than averages, and how the department would support districts that do not currently participate. Lipman said the cost model would be based on each district’s own reasonable costs, subject to audit standards, and that the department expects to provide templates and technical assistance through the vendor because its staff is limited. He also said about one in four New Hampshire children are enrolled in Medicaid, that child enrollment has been relatively stable, and that continuous coverage rules should reduce churn. No votes or formal actions on HB 742 were taken during the meeting beyond organizing the subcommittee and beginning testimony and discussion.

Transcript Highlights:

• for before authorizing other coverage for one<00:17:28.079> of<00:17:28.240> your<00:17
• I don't know a lot about long-term care or, um, you know, this type of coverage, and I'm just curious
• and I'm just curious your coverage and I'm just curious your testifier<00:43:38.560> just<00:
• long-term care, you have a 100 day uh long-term care, you have a 100 day uh coverage<00:46:27.760>
• on Medicare, it actually works coverage on Medicare, it actually works quite<00:46:29.839> well

Bills: HF2400, HF1724, HF3437, HF4333, HF2874, HF4052

Keywords: real estate, appraisers, disciplinary actions, sanction matrix, Minnesota Statutes, direct primary care, healthcare agreements, medical services, patient care, health insurance, mortgage fees, residential loans, commercial loans, finance regulations, investment properties, insurance, supplemental health insurance, short-term care, home health care, nursing care

Transcript Highlights:

• If coverage exists, treatment should not be blocked by administrative hurdles.
• Of course, with the fiscal note, we're talking only here about the state-paid portion of this coverage
• And especially now with people $30,000 sometimes into first-dollar coverage, uh, they pay 20,000 and
• , coverage, coverage, uh<01:15:23.960> they<01:15:24.080> pay<01:15:24.200> 20,000
• . coverage. coverage.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• S. 154, an act relating to health insurance coverage for biomarker testing.
• So patients will know if that coverage is being dropped, and they'll have 60 days to go in and work with
• So patients will know if that coverage is being dropped, and they'll have 60 days to go in and work with
• So patients will know if that coverage is being dropped, and they'll have 60 days to go in and work with
• So patients will know if that coverage is being dropped, and they'll have 60 days to go in and work with

Keywords: 927, senate, all