Video & Transcript Research : 'retroactive coverage'

Page 80 of 263
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • I want to talk about Medicare coverage for new technologies and innovation.
  • If you can't afford the insurance, you just go without coverage. that are accessing Medicaid.
  • have traditional Medicare, where the federal government provides health care coverage directly.
  • State officials call it Georgia Pathways to Coverage. I call it Georgia Pathways to Nowhere.
  • Georgia's pathways to coverage is a roadblock to care.
Summary: The committee convened to discuss critical issues surrounding the nomination of Michael Falkender for the position of Deputy Secretary of the Treasury. This meeting included a series of remarks from committee members who expressed divergent views on Falkender's qualifications and the implications of his appointment. Senator Wyden voiced strong opposition, arguing that Falkender represents harmful policies expected to be perpetuated under the current administration, especially concerning taxpayer privacy and IRS tactics. Meanwhile, other members defended Falkender, noting his extensive experience, including a commitment to transparency in government operations if confirmed.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 2/25/26

Commerce Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • So this particular coverage at all.
  • reporting of aggregated data related to insurance plan costs and coverage.
  • So one of the issues we coverage.
  • Oh, go just go get full coverage then wait a week, we can turn it in."
  • And so come and enforce this coverage.
Keywords: 1183, house
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

Senate Standing Committee on Banking and Insurance. (3-17-26)

Banking & Insurance

Transcript Highlights:
  • Thank you all for letting us hear House Bill 164 today, an act relating to the coverage of hearing aids
  • It will authorize full coverage of hearing aids up to $2,500 per year for children.
  • coverage of hearing aids. coverage of hearing aids.
  • hearing aid, increases the coverage hearing aid, increases the coverage amount<00:09:06.600>
  • <00:09:40.520> of it will authorize full coverage of it will authorize full coverage of hearing
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:11:08.800> Uh medication coverage? If so, when? Uh medication coverage? If so, when?
  • <00:11:43.680> About coverage changes in 2024 to 2025.
  • About coverage changes in 2024 to 2025.
  • and this in cover this ensures coverages and this in cover this ensures coverages for<00:15:37.839
  • > broadly<01:12:13.120> for If Medicaid coverage expands broadly for If Medicaid coverage
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board met on February 23, 2026, approved the January 12 minutes, and then focused primarily on Kentucky Medicaid’s coverage and potential expansion of GLP-1 drugs, especially for weight loss. Department for Medicaid Services Commissioner Lisa Lee explained that Medicaid currently does not cover drugs for weight loss, anorexia, or weight gain, but the department had filed a regulation to remove that blanket exclusion so GLP-1s could be covered when used for an underlying health condition. She said the administrative regulation review subcommittee found the regulation deficient, and the co-chairs wanted the board to discuss the policy and financing implications before any change. DMS also said it would be open to adding caveats to ensure coverage would not extend to cosmetic weight loss alone. The department provided several data points on current utilization and spending. In 2025, Kentucky Medicaid paid for appetite-stimulating drugs such as Megestrol, Dronabinol, and Marinol, but did not pay for weight-loss drugs. For GLP-1s, DMS said coverage began in 2025 and is limited to FDA-approved medical conditions, with prior authorization requiring a type 2 diabetes diagnosis code and A1C documentation. DMS reported $234.6 million in GLP-1 spending in 2025 before rebates, about 240,931 prescriptions, and said GLP-1s accounted for 7.3% of pharmacy spend in 2024 and 8.3% in 2025. It also said there were 24,844 expansion members and 13,638 non-expansion members using GLP-1s, with spending of about $156 million and $78.5 million respectively, and that 10 pediatric weight-loss prescriptions were covered under EPSDT. The department said outcome analyses, including whether GLP-1 use reduces insulin or other diabetes treatment, are underway and should be completed in a couple of months. Members asked about cost, rebates, and whether the state should wait for more outcomes data before expanding coverage. DMS said average reimbursement to pharmacies was $975 per prescription and the average dispensing fee was $109; it also said 2025 rebate invoices totaled $90.8 million, with $7.6 million collected so far. Several members expressed concern about the high cost and the need to evaluate whether the drugs improve health outcomes before expanding access, while others noted the potential benefits for obesity and diabetes treatment. Some members also discussed whether GLP-1s are effectively being used for weight loss in diabetic patients and whether broader data collection should be used to assess long-term value. After the Medicaid discussion, Eli Lilly executive Tracy Sims presented on obesity as a chronic disease and the economic burden it creates in Kentucky. She said Kentucky’s adult obesity rate is a little over 37%, that obesity is linked to about 200 diseases, and that untreated obesity costs the state billions in GDP and hundreds of millions in state budget impact. She highlighted recent federal access programs for GLP-1s, including a Medicaid-related program that she said could lower the state share of a Zepbound prescription to about $71 per month after federal matching. No votes were taken on the GLP-1 policy question during the meeting, and the main action was the receipt of testimony and discussion of the department’s proposed regulatory change.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
  • The coverage that will be provided to these youth includes care coordination...
  • The coverage that will be provided to these youth includes care coordination services, targeted case
  • Their case isn't closed, but the coverage is suspended for 12 months so that if they are released and
  • But initially, we just suspend the coverage.
  • But initially, we just suspend the coverage.
Summary: The committee first heard extensive public testimony from youth and advocates urging stronger restrictions on vaping. Speakers described vaping as a youth-targeted public health problem, citing flavored products, social media marketing, nicotine addiction, brain development concerns, school disruption, and exposure to harmful aerosol. They recommended prohibiting vaping in public indoor spaces and aligning vape rules with smoke-free laws. Committee members praised the speakers and encouraged them to continue building support for future legislation. The main presentation was on Arkansas’s Rural Health Transformation Program, administered through DFA. Secretary Jim Hudson and program director Brad Andi explained that Arkansas received about $209 million in the first year under the federal program, with potential for roughly $1 billion over five years if performance is strong. They emphasized that the program is meant for long-term rural health transformation, not general operating support, debt relief, or new construction. The state’s plan centers on four initiatives: HEART for prevention and community health, PACT for access and provider collaboration, RISE for workforce development, and THRIVE for technology and telehealth. Officials said applications will be handled through upcoming notices of funding opportunity, with a focus on local, shovel-ready projects, regional collaboration, and transparency. Committee members asked how the program would work for hospitals, clinics, nonprofits, schools, faith groups, and urban providers serving rural patients. Officials said eligibility is broad if applicants can show a connection to rural health, and that targeted renovations, mobile units, school-based clinics, farm-to-school or garden projects, EMS equipment, residency expansion, and behavioral health initiatives may fit if they align with the plan. They stressed that the program cannot fund working capital, routine maintenance, or new buildings, but can support repurposing space and collaborative networks. Members also raised concerns about protecting existing rural providers from being displaced, and officials said applications would be reviewed by a state committee with technical assistance and a reimbursement-based process. The committee then reviewed and took no objection to several DHS and Health Department rules. DHS presented a Medicaid/CHIP rule implementing federal requirements for incarcerated youth, including pre- and post-release coverage, care coordination, targeted case management, and screening services, with no public comments received. The Health Department also presented a licensing rule for audiology and speech pathology that implements recent acts and changes the renewal deadline; that rule was likewise reviewed without objection. The meeting adjourned after no further business.
CO

Colorado 2026 Regular Session

Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 118 May 12th, 2026

Colorado House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Filing of rating information—certain coverages; rules.
  • Coverage requirements and E. D. Coverage requirements and E.
  • Acupuncture coverage, $18 million, to increase premiums.
  • The distinction between health coverage, sickness and accident, and employer liability coverage has been
  • <07:38:22.878> I ...is clarity in terms of coverage.
Keywords: 981, all
AR
Transcript Highlights:
  • And we make a determination along those lines before we would sanction or remove health care coverage
  • Nothing else about the coverage has changed.
  • It was already mandated by federal law that we provide this coverage and also by a state law that was
  • So there is no change to that coverage at all.
  • We had no intention of ending our coverage because there was a state law that required coverage.
Summary: The meeting opened with approval of the prior minutes and then took up two Department of Human Services rules. Mary Franklin of DHS’s Division of County Operations presented a Medicaid/CHIP rule that removes the 90-day waiting period for certain ARKids B children who lose other coverage, clarifies child support enforcement procedures for pregnant women, and updates good-cause language to say “rape or incest” rather than “forcible rape.” Members asked about how child support referrals and sanctions work during pregnancy and the postpartum period; Franklin explained that sanctions would not be imposed until after the 60-day postpartum period and that good-cause determinations can prevent sanctions in appropriate cases. The rule had no public comments and a small fiscal impact, and it was reviewed without objection. Elizabeth Pittman of DHS’s Division of Medical Services then presented a medication-assisted treatment rule. She explained that the change simply removes an expired federal end date from the state plan and updates the CMS template, while leaving existing coverage for counseling and lab services tied to substance use disorder treatment unchanged. In response to questions, she said the rule does not add new benefits or costs because the coverage was already required by federal and state law. The committee reviewed the rule without objection. The meeting also included an informational presentation from Jenna Goldman of UAMS about a culinary medicine experience for legislators, scheduled for March 16 for the Senate and March 17 for the House at the Institute on Aging in Little Rock. She described it as a food-is-medicine program where participants would learn about healthy cooking and how to apply it in communities with limited food options. Members discussed its connection to rural health and potential grant opportunities. The meeting ended with a brief visit from a Monticello sixth-grade class, who asked Capitol trivia questions before the committee adjourned.
AR
Transcript Highlights:
  • And we make a determination along those lines before we would sanction or remove health care coverage
  • Nothing else about the coverage has changed.
  • It was already mandated by federal law that we provide this coverage and also by a state law that was
  • So there is no change to that coverage at all.
  • We had no intention of ending our coverage because there was a state law that required coverage.
Summary: The committee met briefly to approve prior minutes and then reviewed two Department of Human Services rules. The first, from the Division of County Operations, would remove the 90-day waiting period for certain ARKids B children who lose other coverage, clarify child support enforcement procedures for pregnant women and postpartum sanctions, and change the good-cause language from “forcible rape” to “rape or incest.” DHS said there were no public comments and only a small fiscal impact for system changes. The second rule, from the Division of Medical Services, updates the Medicaid state plan for medication-assisted treatment by removing an expired federal end date and adopting a new CMS template; officials said coverage does not change and there is no financial impact. Both rules were reviewed without objection. Members also heard an informational presentation from UAMS about a culinary medicine experience planned for March 16 for the Senate and March 17 for the House at the Institute on Aging in Little Rock. The program is intended to show how food can be used as medicine and to connect with the state’s rural health transformation priorities and possible grant opportunities. Members were encouraged to attend, wear comfortable shoes, and participate in the kitchen-based activity. The meeting ended with special recognition of a Monticello sixth-grade class visiting the Capitol for a scavenger hunt. A student asked several questions about the Capitol building’s materials and architecture, and members responded informally before the committee adjourned with no further business.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
  • can be complicated insurance coverage can be complicated but<00:14:45.079> it<00:14:45.199>
  • <00:15:02.639> for<00:15:02.880> babies<00:15:03.600> with Medicaid coverage
  • for babies with Medicaid coverage for babies with positive<00:15:04.240> newborn<00:15:04.720
  • <00:25:27.799> of<00:25:27.960> Senate now as you follow our coverage of Senate now
  • as you follow our coverage of Senate meetings<00:25:29.000> hearings<00:25:29.520> and
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • He explained that how much a retiree has to pay for health insurance coverage, and the levels of coverage
  • He explained that how much a retiree has to pay for health insurance coverage, and the levels of coverage
  • More the cost of coverage.
  • single coverage for 2026 is 11054. single coverage for 2026 is 11054.
  • ,<01:00:18.799> the<01:00:19.040> $1,15 single coverage, the $1,15 single coverage,
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.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

Senate Health and Human Services (02/11/2026)

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • trying to understand where the coverage trying to understand where the coverage from<01:53:05.280
  • gt;> So that additional coverage >> So that additional coverage >> that<02:22:29.840><
  • So either commercial coverage or no coverage. Our bucket of state general funds has not increased.
  • There is coverage.
  • uh Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare coverage uh Harvard Pilgrim Healthcare coverage that<03:22:24.640>
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Legislative Audit Committee Jun 1st, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • program delivers comprehensive coverage through preferred provider organizations, also known as PPO,
  • Our dental program offers out-of-state coverage, just like our health plans.
  • We have approximately 450 individuals enrolled and using out-of-state coverage.
  • MetLife will offer two plans moving forward that will have out-of-state coverage as well.
  • Of the dentist, my dentist has always said, wow, you have really good coverage, until this year when
Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit Committee met to hear new audit requests and receive a status update from the State Auditor. The auditor reported 10 JALAC audits in progress, noted that all 2025-approved audits are underway, said the first 2026 audit is focused on DMV license revocations, and described several statutory and high-risk audits already in progress. The committee also approved a consent calendar of four audit requests: UC library resources, law enforcement information sharing, EDD unemployment insurance claims, and Housing and Community Development housing development monitoring. The committee then considered Assembly Member DeMaio’s audit request on SANDAG road project management. DeMaio argued the audit was needed to examine whether transportation funds, including voter-approved and restricted revenues, were used for allowable purposes and whether past management failures warranted outside review. SANDAG’s CEO and CFO said the agency already undergoes extensive oversight and audits, that funds are tracked by multiple “colors of money,” and that internal controls have improved. Several members questioned whether the issues were already addressed in public records or existing audits, and the request failed on a roll call vote. Next, Senator Valadares presented an audit of the Board of State and Community Corrections’ Proposition 47 grant administration, arguing that more transparency is needed on outcomes, recidivism data, and oversight of grantees. The BSCC said it already has oversight mechanisms, that the State Controller conducts biennial audits, and that program data shows positive outcomes. The committee approved the audit unanimously. Senator Cortese then presented an audit of CalHR’s dental benefits procurement and Delta Dental contract, citing long-standing benefit caps, provider network concerns, and retiree out-of-pocket costs. CalHR said its network remains strong, that it recently completed an RFP adding MetLife as a second carrier starting in 2027, and that contracts include performance guarantees. Members from both parties expressed concern about access and competition, and the audit was approved unanimously. The committee then completed add-on votes on the consent calendar and adjourned.
NH

New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session

House Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services (04/21/2026)

Labor, Industrial and Rehabilitative Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • <00:12:35.839> options workers compensation coverage options workers compensation coverage
  • > again, or lapses in coverage, but but again, or lapses in coverage, but but again, can<00:19
  • And you not have required coverage.
  • secure workers compensation coverage? secure workers compensation coverage?
  • compensation insurance coverage? compensation insurance coverage?
Keywords: 1189, house, all
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

Insurance Apr 2nd, 2025

Insurance

Transcript Highlights:
  • Basically what this does is it creates a Windstorm insurance coverage plan that is uniform and provides
  • HB 383388 authorizes group property and casualty coverage for personal lines.
  • Allowing personal lines will benefit Texans and provide a greater choice for coverage.
  • for personal lines of property and incidental liability coverage.
  • That means that for personal line group policies, the coverage limit you buy is your coverage, and one
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Insurance May 19th, 2026

Insurance

Transcript Highlights:
  • It requires health insurance coverage of medically necessary treatment for persons with acquired brain
  • And so this bill is aimed at getting some insurance coverage to handle those cognitive behavioral and
  • And secondly, there was a provision in Obamacare whenever it was passed that any coverage mandated by
  • To clarify, health care insurers are not required to provide coverage for routine preventative dental
  • The lack of coverage for these dental evaluations slows access to care.
Keywords: 965, house, all
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • So, it empowers these smaller communities and it gives us seamless statewide coverage.
  • So having seamless statewide coverage is important.
  • We don't just have county coverage.
  • It provides a lot coverage is important.
  • The elevation program achieved statewide coverage of phase one LAR in 2017.
Summary: The committee first approved minutes from prior meetings after a motion and second, then heard a presentation from Kent Annis and Boyd Sheerer of the Kentucky Division of Geographic Information on the state’s “KY from Above” aerial imagery and elevation program. The presenters described the program’s goals of creating openly accessible statewide imagery and elevation basemaps, reducing duplicative local and state spending, and supporting uses such as transportation, emergency response, utilities, broadband planning, property taxation, economic development, and education. They said the data is owned by the Commonwealth, distributed in the public domain, and has strong return on investment, with statewide ortho imagery coverage completed in 2022 and elevation phases completed or underway in multiple stages. The witnesses emphasized that the program relies on cost-sharing among state, local, and federal partners and that a small state “seed” appropriation is needed to leverage larger federal contributions. They said about $300,000 a year in seed money could help secure additional federal funds, while a three-year imagery refresh cycle would cost about $5.7 million annually and storage/processing about $150,000 a year. They also noted that no subscription fee is charged for access, opposed charging for use of the data even by for-profit users, and said the program is intended as an economic development tool that avoids multiple entities paying for the same geography. Members asked about the funding request, the potential federal match, and whether the state should charge private companies for access. The witnesses explained that the requested amount was for aerial photography and LAR seed money, that federal funds would not cover aerial photography directly, and that the program already uses a cost-share model with 28 partners rather than subscriptions. They also clarified that imagery is refreshed every three years and elevation data on a longer cycle, with elevation prioritized because it supports accuracy for roads, water lines, and broadband planning. The presentation concluded with no formal vote on the program itself; after questions ended, the chair thanked the witnesses and adjourned the meeting.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Insurance May 12th, 2026

Insurance

Transcript Highlights:
  • allows, for example, damage or loss of the church buildings or other structures, premises liability coverage
  • , coverage for fraud...
  • It covers furniture, equipment, contents, wind, hail, loss of use, and coverage when a building cannot
  • This instrument provides relative to coverage for severe obesity treatment, to provide...
  • This creates a framework to make the all-or-nothing coverage of bariatric surgery instead based on how
Summary: The House Insurance Committee met on May 12 with a quorum present and first took up Senate Bill 341, which would expand the Louisiana churches and nonprofit religious organizations self-insured fund from property-only coverage to broader commercial coverage, including liability, contents, wind and hail, and loss-of-use protections. The sponsor and Department of Insurance said the bill was the product of agreement among the parties and was intended to help churches and nonprofits, including smaller congregations, obtain affordable coverage. After adopting technical amendments, the committee reported SB 341 as amended without objection. The committee then considered Senate Bill 509 on bank-owned life insurance (BOLI), which would clarify insurable interest and allow exchanges of underperforming policies. The sponsor, industry representatives, and the Department of Insurance discussed how banks use these policies for employee benefit funding, the role of 1035 exchanges, consent requirements, and concerns about federal tax issues and state insurable-interest language. Because the parties were still working toward a solution, the committee adopted a technical amendment but voluntarily deferred SB 509 until the following week. Finally, the committee heard Senate Bill 464 on coverage for severe obesity treatment, which would create a framework for partially implementing the bariatric surgery mandate based on available appropriations. The sponsor and the Department of Insurance said the bill would let the state cover a proportional share of expected surgeries if only part of the required funding is provided. The committee reported SB 464 favorably without objection, and then adjourned.
LA

Louisiana 2026 Regular Session

Insurance May 12th, 2026

Insurance

Transcript Highlights:
  • allows, for example, damage or loss of the church buildings or other structures, premises liability coverage
  • , coverage for fraud.
  • It covers furniture, equipment, contents, wind, hail, and loss of use of coverage when a building cannot
  • This instrument provides relative to coverage for severe obesity treatment, to provide...
  • A couple of years ago, we passed some legislation that looked to expand the benchmark coverage of our
Keywords: 965, house, all
Summary: The House Insurance Committee met with a quorum and took up three Senate bills. Senate Bill 341, by Senator Edmonds, was amended with technical changes and reported as amended. The bill expands the Louisiana churches and nonprofit religious organizations’ self-insured fund from a property-only pool to broader commercial coverage, including premises liability, fraud, contents, wind and hail, and loss-of-use coverage. Testimony from the sponsor and the Department of Insurance emphasized that the measure was intended to help churches and nonprofits, including smaller congregations, while preserving solvency requirements for the fund. The committee then heard Senate Bill 509, by Senator Cloud, concerning bank-owned life insurance (BOLI). The sponsor, bank and insurance industry representatives, and the Department of Insurance discussed allowing banks to exchange underperforming policies for better-performing ones under 1035 exchanges, while clarifying insurable-interest and consent issues. Members raised questions about former employees, split-dollar arrangements, and whether additional consent would be needed. Because the parties were still working on a solution, the committee adopted a technical amendment but voluntarily deferred the bill until the following week. Finally, Senate Bill 464, by Senator Barrow, was presented by Ryan Haney and the Department of Insurance as a framework to cover severe obesity treatment, including bariatric surgery. The bill would allow the state to partially implement the mandate based on the amount of funding appropriated, rather than requiring full funding up front. Supporters said the measure could reduce long-term health costs and align Louisiana more closely with neighboring states. The committee reported the bill favorably, and the meeting then adjourned.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Health and Human Services Feb 9th, 2026 at 08:38 am

House Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • In order to provide that coverage, we need incentives that attract and retain health care providers.
  • In order to provide that coverage, we need incentives that attract and retain health care providers.
  • Coverage and access issues. And for those reasons, we ask you to support House Bill 259. Thank you.
  • Also, the actual usage of the coverage after.
  • That requires extra coverage.
Keywords: 996, all
CA

California 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Legislative Audit Committee Jun 1st, 2026

Joint Legislative Audit

Transcript Highlights:
  • program delivers comprehensive coverage through preferred provider organizations, also known as PPO,
  • Our dental program offers out-of-state coverage, just like our health plans.
  • We have approximately 450 individuals enrolled and using out-of-state coverage.
  • Thirty-four providers were added, ensuring continued coverage in these areas.
  • MetLife will offer two plans moving forward that will have out-of-state coverage as well.
Keywords: 987, senate, all
Summary: The Joint Legislative Audit Committee met to consider new audit requests and received a status update from the State Auditor, who reported 10 JALAC audits in progress, several statutory audits underway, and that all audits approved in 2025 are moving forward. The committee first approved a consent calendar covering audits on University of California library resources, law enforcement information sharing, EDD unemployment insurance claims, and Housing and Community Development housing development monitoring. One requested audit on local law enforcement and human trafficking had been withdrawn before the hearing. The committee then debated and approved an audit request from Assembly Member DeMaio on the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG) and its road project management and use of transportation funds. DeMaio argued the audit was needed to examine whether restricted funds, voter-approved revenues, and project commitments were properly used, while SANDAG officials said the agency already undergoes extensive oversight and that its funding sources and project uses are governed by multiple existing audits and reporting requirements. Several members questioned whether the audit would duplicate existing reviews, but the motion passed after roll call. Next, the committee approved Senator Valadares’s audit request on Board of State and Community Corrections Proposition 47 grant administration. Supporters said the audit would assess whether grant recipients and BSCC oversight are producing reliable outcome and recidivism data and whether the funds are achieving public safety goals; BSCC responded that it already has internal controls, that the State Controller conducts biennial audits, and that its reported outcomes show reductions in homelessness, unemployment, and recidivism among participants. The committee also approved Senator Cortese’s audit of CalHR’s dental benefits procurement and contract oversight, prompted by concerns about stagnant annual maximums, provider network losses, and out-of-pocket costs for employees and retirees. CalHR said its current dental network remains strong, that it recently completed an RFP adding MetLife as a second carrier beginning in 2027, and that it maintains performance guarantees in its contracts. All three regular-calendar audit requests were approved, and the committee then completed add-on votes approving the earlier consent calendar items before adjournment.