Transcript Highlights:

• So while it is laudable to make a true attempt to reduce prescription drug costs, I believe that this
• Now the amendments to give it back to patients or give it back to people who need prescription drugs
• So it's in that are receiving the 34B prescriptions.
• What qualifies the government to understand who can afford what for prescription drugs? Mr.
• We do need lower costs of prescription drugs. We do need more affordable prescription drugs.

Bills: HB2720, HB2073, HB2487, SB5816, SB5919, SB5831, SB6137, SB6244, SB6044, SB6132, SB5109, SB5877, SB6258

Keywords: behavioral health, emergency services, health insurance, provider access, mental health funding, premium assistance, funding, healthcare, subsidies, insurance tax, state regulation, insurers, taxation, budget impact, juice grapes, agriculture, commerce, market access, fire safety, insurance incentives

Summary: The House took up and passed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5292, which modifies the paid family and medical leave program. Supporters said the bill uses an actuarial model to set rates and maintains a four-month reserve to improve program stability. It passed final passage 95-1. The House then considered Substitute Senate Bill 5841, dealing with completion of course and financial aid-related requirements. An amendment was adopted to add a financial aid calculator and require outreach to students who indicate they have completed a financial aid form, with supporters saying it would help students understand aid eligibility and access college opportunities. The bill then passed as amended, 92-4. The most extensive debate was on Engrossed Second Substitute Senate Bill 5981, concerning the 340B drug pricing program and contract pharmacy relationships. Members offered many amendments seeking to limit the bill’s scope, add transparency, or direct 340B savings toward patient care, low-income patients, rural areas, or charity care; most were rejected. Supporters argued the bill would help safety-net providers, hospitals, and FQHCs, while opponents warned it would mainly benefit large hospital systems, create administrative burdens, and likely face litigation. After the House adopted the committee amendment and rejected the floor amendments, the bill passed 67-30. The transcript then moved on to other business, including Senate messages and the start of debate on House Bill 2487 on taxes, with one technical amendment to clarify taxpayer definitions.

Transcript Highlights:

• And if you recall, the parameters for using the injectable versus the topical is that the prescription
• Um, and again, just for the committee's sake, oftentimes these are prescriptions that are delivered in
• </c> would be recorded in the prescription would be recorded in the prescription drug<00:11:29.040><c
• </c><00:12:00.000><c> for</c><00:12:00.160><c> an</c> prescribe for a the prescriptions for an prescribe
• for a the prescriptions for an injectable<00:12:00.800><c> androgen</c><00:12:01.279><c> prescribed<

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• By way of background, income from licensed businesses warehousing and reselling prescription drugs, By
• way of background, income from licensed businesses warehousing and reselling prescription drugs for
• Warehousing and reselling drugs for human use pursuant to a prescription from a manufacturer or another
• So we are recommending with this bill that we finally repeal that tax preference and have prescription
• We must purchase prescription drugs from wholesalers to maintain inventory, yet we have zero control

Keywords: 904, all

Summary: House Finance held public hearings on three Senate bills. SB 6129 would raise cigarette taxes, replace current nicotine/vapor tax structures with a 95% tax on nicotine products, and adjust revenue distributions to the Andy Hill Cancer Research account, Foundational Public Health Services account, and a new youth prevention account, while also addressing double-taxation on existing inventory and extending tribal consultation authority. Supporters, including public health groups, cancer advocates, pediatricians, and a student, said the bill would reduce youth initiation, restore public health funding, and generate long-term savings. Opponents from retail, tobacco, and business groups argued the proposal is highly regressive, could increase illicit sales and cross-border purchasing, and would hurt stores and small businesses; some also raised concerns about the new tax treatment of retailers and the timing of the changes. No vote was taken. The committee also heard SB 6231, which would end the sales tax exemption for data center refurbishment and remove replacement server equipment from the exemption, with updated fiscal estimates suggesting significant additional state revenue. The prime sponsor said the bill is an agency request intended to repeal an obsolete preference and raise revenue for the budget, while committee questions focused on how the change would affect existing contracts and work already underway. Construction trades, ports, chambers of commerce, data center interests, and local officials opposed the bill, warning it would cost jobs, reduce investment, and undermine prior commitments; staff said the tax exemption is a legal construct that can be changed by the legislature. No action was taken. SB 6228 would repeal the preferential B&O rate for warehousing and reselling prescription drugs and create a lower preferential rate for critical access pharmacies. The sponsor said the bill restores horizontal equity in the tax code while mitigating pass-through costs to rural and vulnerable communities, but pharmacy groups, wholesalers, grocers, and business organizations opposed it, saying the higher wholesale tax would be passed through to pharmacies and patients, worsen pharmacy closures, and hurt access to medications. The committee then took testimony on SB 6129, with supporters emphasizing youth prevention and public health funding and opponents again warning about tax burdens, illicit markets, and impacts on retailers and vapor businesses. At the end of the hearing, the chair announced amendment requests were due Thursday at 5 p.m. and amendments were to be posted by Friday at 5 p.m.; no votes were taken on any bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• Campbell, you know this . . . it could be something 257 Again, there are several prescriptives.
• medicines covered in the bill do require a physician's prescription.
• The school district is skirting the prescription restriction by sending anybody who needs an OTC med
• Next is prescription access.
• This puts an unnecessary burden on parents' time and resources trying to obtain that prescription.

Bills: SB207, SB611, SB920, SB1174, SB1207, SB1325, SB1396, SB1551, SB1619

Keywords: SB 207, Texas Education Code, public school attendance, excused absence, mental health appointment, mental health care, behavioral health, school district, student absenteeism, same-day return, health care professionals, physician certification, religious holy days, court appearance, DFPS, foster care, education policy, student wellness, school mental health, attendance policy

Transcript Highlights:

• It allows them for the independent practice that we're after here, the prescriptive authority that they
• OK, so we will go to Senate Bill 122 as amended, expand the prescription drug donation program, and um
• prescription drug waste by expanding the applicability of the state's prescription drug donation Program
• It also permits in-state and out-of-state pharmacies experienced in managing donated prescription drugs
• I mean, this is a great bill, it's so needed because so many people don't use their prescriptions, but

Transcript Highlights:

• </c><00:06:36.440><c> she</c> she received from the prescription she she received from the prescription
• And so I just think we're getting just a little bit too prescriptive.
• And so I just think we're getting just a little bit too prescriptive.
• And so I just think we're getting just a little bit too prescriptive.
• </c><00:53:54.160><c> we've</c> little bit too prescriptive we've little bit too prescriptive we've identified

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And we all know that laws... reflective of the way a prescription is reflective of the way a prescription
• They have full prescriptive authority.
• , prescription coupons, but there are a new class of prescription discount cards that are out there.
• </c> how critical affordable prescription how critical affordable prescription drugs<01:24:59.840><c>
• </c><01:25:29.199><c> at</c> half, or leave needed prescriptions at half, or leave needed prescriptions

Keywords: 1191, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• -15 and a new subsection to Section 43-48-03 of the North Dakota Century Code, relating to the prescriptive
• Section 3, page 10, subsection 1H, requires the pharmacist to communicate any test results and prescription
• Expanding limited prescriptive and diagnostic authority for pharmacists allows us to better use an existing
• In closing, empowering pharmacists with limited prescriptive and diagnostic authority is a practical,
• In closing, empowering pharmacists with limited prescriptive and diagnostic authority is a practical,

Bills: HB1621, HB1624, HB1623, HB1622, HB1625, HB1626, HB1627, HCR3038

Keywords: presidential physical fitness test, physical education, fitness assessment, student fitness, school curriculum, graduation requirements, elementary school, middle school, high school, public schools, nonpublic schools, superintendent of public instruction, exceptions, disability accommodations, North Dakota studies, computer science, cybersecurity, health education, concept-based fitness class, school standards

Summary: The North Dakota House convened in special session with prayer, roll call, and a quorum present, then took up several rural health-related bills. Senate Bill 2401, as amended, required physicians to complete one hour of continuing education in nutrition and metabolic health each renewal cycle and also added language allowing criminal history background checks for the Board of Occupational Therapy Practice. Supporters emphasized the role of nutrition in reducing chronic disease, and the bill passed 92-0. The House then considered Senate Bill 2402, which expanded pharmacists’ limited prescriptive and therapeutic substitution authority for certain low-acuity conditions and clarified related lab-test and communication requirements. Members discussed examples such as motion sickness, cold sores, lice, hypoglycemia, COVID and flu testing, emergency access to medications and supplies, and limits excluding certain drug classes; the bill passed 91-1. Senate Bill 2403 created a temporary medical facility emergency operating loan option through the Bank of North Dakota for qualifying rural hospitals facing severe financial distress, with extensive debate over the targeted nature of the aid, anti-gifting concerns, repayment terms, and the hospital’s turnaround plan; it passed 80-12. Senate Bill 2404 appropriated funds for NDIT to address federal digital accessibility requirements and for the Public Service Commission’s litigation efforts related to transmission costs, with a backup loan authorization available if needed; it passed 92-0. At the close of the session, leaders thanked members and staff for their work on the rural health transformation package, a committee notified the Governor and the Senate that the House had completed its business, absent members were excused, and the House adjourned sine die.

Transcript Highlights:

• Patients need access to affordable prescriptions.
• One solution to high prescription costs are monthly fee-based membership discount programs.
• However, monthly membership prescription prices differ from standard prices.
• At the same time, older Americans are struggling with rise in prescription drug costs.
• Similarly, subscribers were 29% more likely to refill their prescription. their medications.

Bills: HB741, HB 1199, HB2070, HB2402, HB2542, HB2665, HB2789, HB3096, HB3396, HB3595, HB3747, HB4116, HB4127

Keywords: child welfare, relative caregiver, monetary assistance, Department of Family and Protective Services, child custody, family law, emergency power, nursing facilities, assisted living, generator requirements, health and safety, emergency generators, power outage, emergency generator, assisted living facilities, power source, child abuse, neglect registry, court findings, Medicaid

Transcript Highlights:

• one question and my concern with this bill has to do with the patient's ability to get a paper prescription
• under this bill, will the physician be able to give me a paper prescription?
• I could not have a paper prescription. >> You're recognized. Thank you, Madam Chair.
• So does this bill would require every single doctor to have to to issue electronic prescriptions.
• You don't you may not have the ability to transmit electronic prescription.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• And then three, the health insurer shall provide the branded prescription drug.
• And three, the health insurer shall provide the branded prescription drug cost-sharing amount and the
• Woodard with Prescriptions To Go are all in support and willing to provide information.
• Independent pharmacies have been dispensing prescriptions at a loss while waiting on this fix.
• Joy going to pay about $100 more per year per prescription? And he said yes. Okay.

Summary: The Senate Committee on Insurance met on May 6, 2026, and first reported HB 1241 favorably. That bill, by Chairman Furman, requires insurers to check with DCFS before paying certain insurance settlements to determine whether the recipient owes delinquent child support, and to withhold and remit arrears if found. DCFS explained that Louisiana already has intercepts and other collection tools, but no current mechanism for insurance settlements. Senators raised concerns about notice to obligors and about liability if insurers fail to withhold, but the bill was advanced without objection. The committee then heard HB 870, which would require health insurers and PBMs to cover lower-cost generic or biosimilar drugs when available and to use utilization management no more restrictively on those drugs. Supporters said the bill would improve access and lower patient costs by using wholesale acquisition cost as the comparison point. Opponents, including Louisiana Blue and the AFL-CIO, argued that WAC ignores rebates and net cost, could force plans to cover higher-cost biosimilars first, and could increase premiums and disrupt ERISA and fully insured plan design. The committee adopted a technical amendment set and then a second amendment set that added notice and reporting requirements tied to net cost calculations, and HB 870 was reported favorably as amended. Several other bills were moved with little or no opposition. HB 1176, concerning Medicare Advantage coverage for integrative cancer treatments such as cold cap therapy, cryotherapy, and acupuncture, was amended to change the effective date and then reported favorably. HB 1196, dealing with colorectal cancer screening follow-up colonoscopies, was also amended and reported favorably. HB 1162, a consumer protection bill requiring DOI to verify that a contractor named on a first-party property damage check is licensed in Louisiana, was amended and reported favorably. HB 826, which modernizes insurance referral rules to allow referrals by email or website address, was reported favorably. The committee also heard HB 1151 on insurer investment limits and solvency protections, and HB 1236 on pharmacy reimbursement and copay maximizer programs; both drew substantial testimony and concern, especially over retroactivity, PBM cost allocation, and whether copay maximizers shift costs to patients, but the transcript cuts off before final action on HB 1236.

Transcript Highlights:

• Patty Southerland suffered a traumatic brain injury from a fall, and she was given a prescription for
• It took Patty six months to get an appointment with her neurologist to get an updated prescription.
• </c><00:33:58.000><c> that</c> when she provided the prescription that when she provided the prescription
• ><c> longer</c><00:34:00.159><c> valid</c> that prescription was no longer valid that prescription was
• this was a waste of Patty's prescription this was a waste of Patty's time<00:34:19.679><c> the</c><00

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• That's good for mitigating rising costs of prescription drugs for Medicaid and Medicare patients.
• There's medical device prescriptions, and this is agreed to between the Board of Healing Arts and the
• There's medical device prescriptions, and this is agreed to between the Board of Healing Arts and the
• And fortunately, we could call her PCP to get that nebulizer mask prescription done.
• Because the OTC now, as opposed to a prescription, one where, if it's a prescription, the patient comes

Summary: The House Committee on Health and Mental Health heard public testimony on House Concurrent Resolution 42, Senate Bill 878, House Resolution 538, and House Resolution 4661. HCR 42 would urge Congress to support programs intended to reduce prescription drug costs for Medicaid and Medicare patients; the sponsor said it would help elderly and low-income residents, while an opponent argued the referenced program can cost more than alternatives like GoodRx or local pharmacy pricing. No votes were taken on HCR 42, and the hearing closed after no one appeared in support, opposition, or for information. Senate Bill 878, a pharmacist practice act bill, drew the most discussion. The sponsor said it would codify pandemic-era flexibilities for pharmacists, including administering certain vaccines, providing medication therapy services, dispensing some medical devices, and allowing over-the-counter access to ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine with warning labels and standardized procedures. Supporters from pharmacy chains and the Missouri Pharmacy Association said the bill improves access, especially in rural areas, and keeps pharmacists working at the top of their training. Opponents raised concerns about vaccine authority shifting from the governor to boards, the safety and efficacy of ivermectin and hydroxychloroquine, and the adequacy of warning labels. The committee heard testimony but did not take a vote. The committee also heard two awareness resolutions. House Resolution 538 would designate May 2026 as ALS Awareness Month and call for support of ALS research and advocacy; members spoke in favor, citing the severity of the disease and the need for early access to communication technology and support services. House Resolution 4661 would encourage screening and public education about chronic kidney disease, especially for high-risk patients such as those with diabetes or hypertension, and would ask the Department of Health and Senior Services to consider public-private education efforts. Both resolutions were presented as nonbinding awareness measures, and no votes were taken before the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• It doesn't create prescriptive authority; it just updates the pharmacy act so pharmacists can legally
• accept prescriptions.
• Chair, so just I mean specifically if an individual currently has an active prescription, is there a
• So, but that doesn't mean if they do have an active prescription from a prescribing doctor that should
• As a physician, we often would send prescriptions, and the ones that go off into the netherworld, we

Bills: HB3767, HB3934, HB4199, HB4336, HB2947, HB3834, HB4302, HB4095, HB3287, HB3649, HB4430, HB4431, HB2059, HB3647

Keywords: controlled dangerous substances, controlled substances, drug scheduling, Schedule I, Schedule IV, anti-drug diversion, drug diversion, synthetic opioids, fentanyl analogs, designer drugs, synthetic cannabinoids, benzodiazepines, benzodiazepine analogs, opioids, hallucinogens, depressants, pharmacy regulation, narcotics control, Oklahoma State Bureau of Narcotics and Dangerous Drugs Control, DEA scheduling

Transcript Highlights:

• , the prescriptions are Occasionally, the prescriptions are current<00:58:27.040><c> and</c><00:58:27.120
• Continuing to provide the same prescriptions at the same dosage risks inmate health.
• I kind of want to review how the prescription situation works for the average person.
• You get that prescription. You go to pick it up at the pharmacy.
• Um you you Um you get that prescription.

Bills: HF3547, HF3651, HF4043, HF4282, HF4095

Keywords: fireworks, public safety, regulation, tax revenue, local government, sale, safety standards, fire safety, ethanol, fuel equipment, compatibility standards, law enforcement, peace officer, unauthorized practice, criminal justice, civics education, jail medication, correctional facility, detention, incarcerated persons

Transcript Highlights:

• The negotiated rates and historical net prices for covered prescription drugs are included in those data
• Prescription drugs are included in those data sets as well. It's made available in two ways.
• Prescription drug price transparency. Prescription drug price transparency.
• The Prescription Drug Affordability Board's work is really an extension of some of the prescription drug
• In ingesting data, the board conducts affordability reviews for selected prescription drugs.

Summary: The committee began with an extended work session on the long-term care workforce. DSHS Assistant Secretary B. Rector described the new Home and Community Living Administration and outlined major workforce pressures: Washington had about 126,000 long-term care workers in 2022, with demand expected to outpace supply as the 85-plus population and dementia prevalence rise sharply. She emphasized that direct care workers are largely women, people of color, and immigrants, and that family caregivers are also a major part of the system. She highlighted recruitment and retention efforts funded through federal Money Follows the Person dollars, including high school training partnerships, a retention toolkit, transportation support, caregiver newsletters, tribal workforce navigators, and a remote caregiving pilot. Committee members asked about career pathways, technology use, and turnover drivers; Rector said wages, benefits, unstable hours, and workplace support are key issues and promised follow-up data. Aidan Swain of the Washington Health Care Association said skilled nursing and assisted living facilities face acute RN vacancies, wage pressures, and Medicaid reimbursement that does not cover costs, and urged modernization of training, better reimbursement, and continued support for facility-based care. Maddie Fouch of SEIU 775, representing about 55,000 caregivers, said low wages, weak benefits, lack of voice, and certification delays are driving turnover and shortages, and argued for higher compensation, better worker protections, and more transparent reimbursement. Catherine Smith of Behavioral Health Solutions described growing behavioral health needs in nursing homes, the role of expanded behavioral supports programs, and credentialing delays that slow hiring. No votes were taken; the panel was informational only. The second agenda item was an overview of the palliative care benefit work group report required by 2024 legislation. Nico Jansen of the Office of the Insurance Commissioner explained that the work group, convened with the Health Care Authority, studied a potential palliative care benefit for fully insured commercial plans and also Medicaid, PEBB, and SEBB. He said palliative care is a philosophy of care focused on symptom management, coordination, and support for serious illness, and is distinct from hospice because it can be provided alongside curative treatment. The actuarial analysis concluded that creating a new benefit would likely increase costs, estimating about a 28-cent per member per month increase overall and roughly $2.6 million to $4.5 million in annual state Medicaid costs if implemented in 2027. Jansen said the consultants did not find sufficient evidence to assume savings from avoided hospitalizations or long-term care, though several work group members disagreed and submitted response letters. Senators asked about other states, Medicare, health homes, and whether more research could clarify cost savings; OIC said some states, including Hawaii, are moving ahead with Medicaid palliative care benefits, Medicare covers some related services but not in the same way, and further evidence may emerge over time. OIC did not take a position on whether the Legislature should create the benefit. The final presentation covered health care price transparency tools in Washington and federally. Evan Klein and HCA Chief Data Officer Vishal Chaudry reviewed federal hospital and health plan transparency rules, the state all-payer claims database, prescription drug price transparency, the Health Care Cost Transparency Board, the Prescription Drug Affordability Board, and other reporting systems. They explained that the APCD contains claims from fully insured commercial plans, Medicaid, and public employee programs, but not self-insured employer data except for limited voluntary submissions. They also described how machine-readable files, consumer price tools, and aggregated dashboards are used, and noted that data limitations, delays, and complexity remain significant. Senators asked about voluntary self-insured participation, the role of AI in making data more usable, and whether transparency can really help consumers given access barriers and medical debt. HCA said AI is increasingly used by private entities to mine large transparency datasets, but state agencies still face limits in data access and analytic capacity. The committee did not take action; the session was informational and ended with a discussion of how transparency data might better inform policy and purchasing decisions in the future.

Transcript Highlights:

• This includes interpreting prescriptions, counseling patients, accessing patients to prescribe drugs
• This includes interpreting prescriptions, counseling patients, accessing patients to prescribe drugs
• prescriptions prescriptions as<00:16:12.720><c> the</c><00:16:12.959><c> practice</c><00:16:13.279><
• Is that something that this is giving pharmacists independent authority to then take the prescription
• </c><00:55:17.520><c> that</c> practice act is fairly prescriptive that practice act is fairly prescriptive

Bills: HB0143, HB0129

Keywords: health care providers, free speech, discrimination, governmental agencies, civil remedies, physician access, internationally trained physicians, medical licensing, provisional license, healthcare workforce, 916, all

Transcript Highlights:

• One would think that filling more prescriptions would mean more money.
• The average reimbursement for prescriptions in 2025 was $2.78.
• The average reimbursement for prescriptions in 2025 was $2.78.
• There's a reason that these prescriptions, these treatments require a prescription.
• There's a reason that these prescriptions, these treatments require a prescription.

Keywords: 1182, all

Summary: The committee heard House Bill 2433, which would require insurers offering Medicare supplement policies to people 65 and older to also offer them to Medicare beneficiaries under 65 with ALS or end-stage renal disease, with enrollment periods and premium protections tied to 65-year-old rates. Supporters, including dialysis and ALS advocates, said the bill would help a small population facing high out-of-pocket costs and could improve access to transplants and care; opponents argued it would shift costs onto older seniors and raise Medigap premiums. The committee recommended the bill do pass on a 12-0 vote. The committee also heard House Bill 2593, appropriating $1.5 million to the University of Arizona for the Arizona Perinatal Psychiatry Access Line. The sponsor and physicians testified that the line helps obstetric and pediatric providers quickly consult on perinatal depression, postpartum psychosis, suicidality, and other mental health crises, improving outcomes for mothers, children, and families and reducing costly emergency and crisis care. The bill received a do pass recommendation on a 10-1 vote. House Concurrent Resolution 2013, proclaiming June 2026 as Celebrate Life Month, drew emotional testimony from a young woman with spina bifida and another speaker supporting the sanctity of life. Some members objected that the state should focus on practical supports such as paid leave, child care, and health care access, while others supported the resolution as a statement of human dignity. The resolution passed the committee 7-5. The committee then approved House Bill 4010, creating a Board of Genetic Counselors and licensure standards, after testimony from genetic counselors and a patient advocate about the need for qualified counseling and better access; it passed 11-1. Later, the committee approved House Bill 2196, which would require pharmacy benefit managers to reimburse non-affiliated pharmacies at least their acquisition cost and pay a dispensing fee, and establish an appeals process. Independent pharmacists and their coalition said PBM practices are driving closures and unfairly favor affiliated pharmacies, while PBM and employer representatives warned of major cost increases and said the bill would interfere with private contracts; the bill passed 11-1. The committee also adopted a strike-everything amendment to House Bill 2182 requiring insurers and health plans to report claims denial and prior authorization data to DIFI, and then gave the amended bill a 12-0 do pass recommendation. Finally, the committee approved House Bill 2189, directing the Board of Nursing to update rules for licensed health aides and collect annual data, with the sponsor and board staff saying it would help implement routine ventilator care in the home; it passed 12-0. The committee then began hearing House Bill 2404, a strike-everything amendment on inter-facility transports for behavioral health patients, but the transcript cuts off before action on that bill.

Transcript Highlights:

• He said one was for the prescription drug side of the TRS plan.
• Uh, it's also prescription drug side.
• You can see prescription drugs in 2025.
• Prescription drug costs continue to rise.
• Prescription drug costs continue to rise.

Keywords: Meeting Start: 00:00:35 Attendance Roll Call: 00:00:55 Approval of Minutes: 00:02:56 Deferred Compensation Authority Update: 00:03:12 Retiree Health Update - TRS: 00:15:58 Retiree Health Update - KPPA: 00:56:13 Adjournment: 01:08:10, 958, all

Summary: The Public Pension Oversight Board met with a quorum, approved the prior minutes, and heard updates from the Kentucky Public Employees Deferred Compensation Authority and the Teachers Retirement System. The deferred compensation update highlighted continued growth in assets to about $4.787 billion and roughly 88,000 participants, strong retention from auto-enrollment, a marketing campaign tied to pay raises that generated additional participation, and a new self-directed brokerage account expected to launch July 1 of the coming year for participants with at least a $40,000 balance, allowing up to 25% of their account to be moved into the brokerage window. The director also described the free financial planning service, which has been used by about 3,500 participants with a high return rate, and said the plan is currently in a fee holiday; if fees are charged, they are capped at $237 per year for most participants. Members asked questions about who provides the CFP service, the fee structure, and the brokerage eligibility threshold. The director said the CFP service is provided through the authority’s service bundle with Nationwide, not as a separate paid service, and explained that the fee cap and current fee holiday are intended to keep the program low-cost. Board members praised the deferred compensation program’s performance and asked for a copy of the legislation referenced in the presentation. TRS then presented on retired teachers’ health insurance. Barnes first clarified how declining federal contributions for federally funded school positions affect the retirement annuity trust, explaining that if those federal dollars fall, the amounts would need to be covered through the SEEK formula and that the projection for those contributions is about $80 million over the next three years. He then reviewed TRS retiree health coverage, distinguishing between KEHP for retirees under 65 or not Medicare-eligible and MEHP for Medicare-eligible retirees, and explained that TRS recently completed RFPs for both prescription drug and medical coverage. TRS will keep Express Scripts for prescription drugs, but will move the Medicare Advantage medical plan from UnitedHealthcare to Humana on January 1, 2026, while keeping the plan design, provider access, and out-of-pocket structure largely unchanged, with a new hearing-aid benefit of $500 per ear. Barnes also reported the 2026 premium and contribution changes: the maximum TRS contribution toward KEHP will rise to $1,144.96 from $930.76, an 18% increase that he said will require roughly $15 million to $16 million more in the state budget, while the MEHP premium will drop to $200 per month from $210. He said the TRS board has statutory authority to set these amounts and that the changes will have mixed actuarial effects, with the KEHP increase being negative overall and the MEHP decrease positive.

Transcript Highlights:

• LET'S TURN TO TAB ON SENATE BILL 126 ON PRESCRIPTION HEARING AIDS BY SENATOR BRADLEY.
• FLORIDA LAW PROHIBITS THE SALE OR DISTRIBUTION OF PRESCRIPTION HEARING AIDS THROUGH THE MAIL.
• THE STRIKE ALL LIMITS DISTRIBUTION AND SALE OF PRESCRIPTION HEARING AIDS TO PATIENTS 18 YEARS OF AGE
• THE STRIKE ALL CLARIFIES PRESCRIPTION HEARING AIDS DISTURBED IT MAY NOT BE ACTIVATED UNLESS A FLORIDA
• I KNOW NO PRESCRIPTIONS ONLY LAST ONE YEAR BECAUSE OUR PRESCRIPTION RAN OUT WE HAD TO GET IT RENEWED.

Keywords: 999, senate, all