Transcript Highlights:

• The population that we currently serve offers a diverse population of residents.
• Our residents range in age from early 60s to over 100 years old.
• Our population broken down is: we have currently one World War II veteran, we have a little 11 residents
• Our population by payer source: our service-connected veterans, which is 70% service-connected or higher
• We don't have any issues with the CDC, our Child Development Center, or our school age services.

Transcript Highlights:

• And those who have served the longest terms leave prison at an age where their peers and other family
• Louisiana sheriffs hold about half of the state, over half of the state's population of prisoners, right
• ...about half of the state, over half of the state's population of prisoners, right?
• Sex offender registration can be required regardless of the age of the offender.
• Just sex offense registration can be required regardless of the age of the offender.

Bills: HB146, HB333, HB517, HB828, SB87, SB93, SB98, SB118, SB125, SB199, SB277, SB294, SB306

Keywords: sports wagering, gambling, elections, local control, revenue generation, inmates, housing, corrections, Department of Public Safety, local jurisdiction, criminal justice, juvenile justice, jury trial, felony offenses, crime of violence, sex offenses, correctional facilities, in-custody deaths, medical oversight, independent investigations

Summary: The Criminal Justice Committee met on April 29, 2026, and first voluntarily deferred HB 517. It then took up several Senate bills focused largely on impaired driving, wrongful conviction compensation, child protection, and criminal procedure. SB 118 by Sen. Boudreaux required substance use disorder screening for misdemeanor DUI offenders; supporters, including the Louisiana Highway Safety Commission, said early screening could identify underlying addiction and reduce repeat offenses, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 125 increased wrongful conviction compensation from 10 to 15 years and raised the cap to $600,000; supporters emphasized the hardship faced by people who spent decades wrongfully imprisoned, and it was also reported favorably. SB 294 allowed gaming operators to reallocate promotional play across licenses without increasing the total amount, and it was reported favorably despite opposition from the Louisiana Family Forum. The committee also advanced several bills aimed at child sexual exploitation and worship protections. SB 87 clarified the definition of commercial sexual activity in trafficking laws so prosecutors could more easily charge adults who solicit or pay for sexual images of children online; prosecutors said the current language was too narrow, and the bill was reported favorably. SB 93 set minimum bond amounts for certain child sexual abuse material offenses, and an amendment by Chair Villio added broader bail restrictions and revocation provisions for certain violent, sex, and firearm-related offenses; the amended bill was reported favorably. SB 98 expanded the definition of educator to include school resource officers and security guards for purposes of prohibited sexual conduct with students, and it was reported favorably. SB 306 created the crime of obstructing freedom of worship; after an amendment reducing a proposed fine from $10,000 to $2,500, supporters argued it was needed to deter disruptions at churches, while the ACLU raised concerns about overbreadth and redundancy, and the bill was reported favorably as amended. SB 277, allowing certain statewide officials with POST-qualified handguns to carry in the State Capitol, was also reported favorably. SB 199 imposed a mandatory minimum sentence and sex-offender registration for a second offense of purchasing commercial sexual activity; supporters said it would reduce demand, and it was reported favorably as amended. Two House bills drew significant discussion but were not advanced. HB 333 would have required the Department of Public Safety and Corrections to house inmates within 30 miles of their home parish or offense location; the author argued it would preserve family ties and reduce recidivism, but sheriffs, prosecutors, and DOC said the proposal was not practical given bed space, security, and facility-location constraints, and no motion was made, so it remained in committee. HB 828 would have created an independent Louisiana Correctional Medical Review Board to investigate inmate deaths and report to the legislative auditor; the author said it would improve transparency, but prosecutors and corrections officials warned it could interfere with criminal investigations and duplicate existing coroner and law-enforcement processes. The author asked for and received voluntary deferral. HB 146, authorizing a Sabine Parish election on sports wagering, also received opposition and no motion, so it stayed in committee. The meeting ended with adjournment after all listed measures were handled.

Transcript Highlights:

• These outbreaks with the measles significantly impact this population that we're concerned about. population
• vaccination status is unknown. 11% of the cases have been hospitalized, with the under five years population
• to 30% of infected people have complications with the disease, especially children under 5 years of age
• or adults over 20 years of age.

Bills: HB491, SB85

Keywords: HB491, public schools, K-12, school nutrition, school lunch, cafeteria, artificial dyes, food additives, food coloring, synthetic dyes, Red Dye No. 3, Red Dye No. 40, Yellow Dye No. 5, Yellow Dye No. 6, Blue Dye No. 1, Blue Dye No. 2, Green Dye No. 3, school fundraising, vending, snacks

Transcript Highlights:

• aging in place.
• We're populating the in our conversations with the commission. We met just last week.
• We're populating the in our conversations with the commission. We met just last week.
• Now, they talked about the aging infrastructure. I won't bore you with that.
• The average age just two years ago was almost two years.

Keywords: 914, all

Transcript Highlights:

• His statistics are since the year 2000, population up 15% while spending has grown... ...the year 2000
• It doesn't just impact the UIS population; it impacts everyone.
• In the last 25 years, to use population as an indicator and not use inflation is ridiculous.
• Ha-Jezha, who passed away peacefully on February 4, 2006, at the age of 104.
• On Saturday, May 2, Doris passed away at the age of 94.

Keywords: 987, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• First, we had to develop data collection methodology, specifying target populations, indicator definitions
• So these dashboards reflect the activity amongst that population served by department-funded sources.
• So we started with narrowing the age range.
• The criteria will start with a youth who is between the ages of 13 to 16.
• This allows for an additional target to the population that can be served.

Summary: The subcommittee heard two Department of Children and Families implementation updates on measures passed in prior sessions. First, DCF reviewed House Bill 633, which increased oversight of behavioral health managing entities through biennial independent audits, standardized claims-based reporting, and new monthly outcome dashboards. The department said it had awarded the inaugural audit to Ernst & Young, found no significant waste, fraud, or abuse, but identified process risks involving financial controls, claims validation, data access, and system access controls. DCF also described its transition to standardized behavioral health coding and said the new public dashboard of 11 measures is posted on its website, though members asked for easier access and for hard copies of the audit report. Members asked about how the department distinguishes Medicaid-covered services from department-funded services, how duplicate payment risks are being addressed, and whether the new reporting and audit requirements would improve oversight without disrupting services. DCF said it is the payer of last resort for uninsured or underinsured individuals, that some overlap with Medicaid is expected because Medicaid does not cover all behavioral health services, and that new claims edits and cross-checks are being built into the system. The department also said it had not found significant negative feedback from providers and that the new requirements are intended to improve transparency and accountability. DCF then updated the committee on Senate Bill 7012, covering human trafficking data collection, domestic violence center certification, limited background-screening exemptions, expanded recruitment for child welfare staff, subcontractor liability protections, a four-year treatment foster care pilot, case management efficiency recommendations, and a statewide study of residential bed capacity for child victims of commercial sexual exploitation. The department said several items are already complete or underway, including limited exemptions in the screening clearinghouse, while others are in procurement or rulemaking. It identified Circuits 4 and 12 as the treatment foster care pilot sites and said the pilot will launch in January 2026. Members questioned recruitment metrics, pilot timing, and report deadlines; the department said final reports are expected by January and that some dates were flexible because of procurement and implementation timelines. The meeting ended after the presentations and questions, and the subcommittee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• So you're going to the pop, there should be some sort of a population impact.
• I want to underscore we're talking about a small population.
• Murphish's point, not a, not a big population.
• If that individual reaches age 25, stays out of trouble, and proves they've turned around, they can petition
• They could be, they could still be separated from the adult population.

Transcript Highlights:

• So that's actually somewhat of a small population of students.
• We in the late shift, the late closing shift age cleanup mop up and they're closing the restaurant at
• We also experience a significant increase in our population during season, which coincides with much
• I would say at at the similar age I went to bed at an appropriate time because I was exhausted because
• But at that age, it's just, you know, if you can, please, please.

Keywords: 999, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• The only request that I do make is to amend this bill to adjust the age to 39 years and younger.
• The only request that I do make is to amend this bill to adjust the age to 39 years and younger.
• Next, we have Deputy AG providing comments.
• comments next we have Deputy AG comments next we have Deputy AG providing comments<00:27:07.760>
• <00:33:14.080> of individuals above the age of individuals above the age of 26 26 26 second

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Committee on Health and Human Services began by explaining strict one-minute testimony limits, reliance on written testimony, and that it had quorum and would move directly to decision making on deferred measures. It first adopted the chair’s recommendation to pass SB 8 with amendments, creating a five-year trial period for a jury-duty exemption for actively practicing APRNs, delaying implementation to January 1, 2027, and adding a defective date. It then adopted amendments to SB 189 on breast cancer screening, replacing references to “woman” with “patient,” clarifying that supplemental imaging and mammograms must be medically necessary and ordered by the patient’s provider, deleting one subsection, and adding a defective date. The committee then heard testimony on several bills. SB 46 on insurance/mental health coverage drew support from a member of the public and others, but later the chair said it would be deferred indefinitely pending a required sunrise analysis and a concurrent resolution. SB 642 on fertility preservation services received broad support from providers, advocacy groups, and an individual who described facing cancer treatment and high out-of-pocket costs; the chair later amended it to make coverage optional, limit it to those over 26, and add a defective date. SB 49 on terminal illness had limited testimony and was later passed with amendments incorporating agency and professional association changes plus a defective date. The committee also heard strong support for SNAP-related bills. SB 53, expanding SNAP eligibility to 300% of poverty, drew testimony about the “benefits cliff,” but the chair later deferred it indefinitely, citing uncertainty about costs and system issues. SB 58 on public assistance had no testimony. SB 960 and SB 961, both SNAP-related, drew extensive support from nonprofits, health groups, and others; DHS said its modernization work would not be ready until fall 2026 and that current systems could not automatically extend certification periods. SB 963 on SNAP also received support, including testimony from a volunteer reentry advocate and a public health advocate, but the chair later said it would be deferred indefinitely because the committee could not determine the fiscal impact and wanted to wait until next year. Finally, the committee heard SB 798 on child welfare and SB 974 on foster care. Testimony on SB 798 included support from child welfare and advocacy organizations, but also criticism from a witness who said the bill lacked voices of those harmed by the system and another who emphasized the need for independence, implementation, and accountability. The committee then recessed to regain quorum and later returned to decision making, where it deferred SB 46 indefinitely, passed SB 642 with amendments, passed SB 49 with amendments, and deferred SB 53 indefinitely. The transcript ends while the chair is continuing through the remaining measures.

Transcript Highlights:

• So to answer your first item on the map, AT&T covers an estimated 75% of the population.
• These are now, we know, baffling artifacts of a very different age.
• AG&T is uniquely positioned to deliver these kind of benefits under a regulated transition.
• provider here that are, it's less than 5% of the population.
• No community should be left behind because of an aging infrastructure.

Keywords: 988, house, all

Transcript Highlights:

• So by identifying how widespread dyslexia is among our incarcerated population, we can start providing
• The more people we have to serve our kids, the better we can... ...birth through age 21 in our public
• That percentage of the student population was identified as dyslexic.
• We talk about 20% of the population having dyslexia.
• Let me say what's missed in that 20% of the population when they don't get the services they need.

Keywords: special education, funding gap, dyslexia, House Bill 2, Senate Bill 568, House Bill 3928, disability penalty

Summary: The meeting primarily focused on special education funding, with significant discussions around House Bill 2 (HB2), Senate Bill 568 (SB568), and House Bill 3928 (HB3928). Key speakers advocated for increased funding to close the estimated $1.7 billion annual gap that affects special education in Texas public schools. Several witnesses, including educators and students affected by dyslexia, provided personal testimonies about the impact of insufficient funding and the disability penalty, which penalizes schools financially for identifying students needing special education services. The committee demonstrated a strong commitment to advocate for changes that would improve special education resources and training for teachers, thereby ensuring that all Texas children receive the educational support they need to thrive.

Transcript Highlights:

• Sadly, we’ve learned that veterans have a lower life expectancy than the rest of the population.
• We know, sadly, that veterans are one of the most challenged populations around housing needs.
• I am here before you to speak on behalf of my bills, age 3824, and age 3826. 3824 is an act for reform
• 3879 and age 3878.
• The care that these people gave to our most vulnerable population was amazing, okay?

Keywords: 995, all

Summary: The Joint Committee on Veterans and Federal Affairs held its second public hearing of the 2025–26 session, with opening remarks from Chairs John Velis and Joe McGonagle outlining testimony on 20 House bills and 18 Senate bills. The hearing covered a wide range of veterans issues, including municipal veterans assistance funds, pension equity, expanding the Office of the Veterans Advocate, veterans service officer staffing, disability benefits eligibility, service dogs, POW tax relief, courtesy parking spaces, women veterans and motherhood, and workforce-related licensing and employment measures. Chairs emphasized the hybrid format, three-minute testimony limit, and written testimony process. Several bills drew support focused on expanding services and access. Representative Arena-DeRosa spoke for bills to broaden municipal veterans assistance funds to cover housing and legal expenses and to study enhanced pension equity for veterans, citing burn pit exposure and shorter life expectancy among veterans. Senator Fattman, Representative Peas, and Veterans Advocate Bob Notch supported bills expanding the Office of the Veterans Advocate to include active-duty service members and their families, arguing it would improve transition support, coordination with state agencies, and retention of military talent in Massachusetts. Representative Arriaga backed a bill to incentivize municipalities to provide full-time or regional veterans service officers and another to study the impact of combat on women veterans and motherhood. Representative Moulton/another sponsor also sought to exempt veterans’ disability payments from income calculations for other state benefits, and Representative Hong and Senator Scanlan supported a state service dog program, POW income tax relief, and courtesy retail parking spaces for veterans. Testimony also focused on workforce and claims-assistance issues. The Military Officers Association of America and James Keene urged passage of bills waiving duplicative education requirements so qualified veterans and military medics can become licensed practical nurses, arguing it would help address health care shortages and recognize military training. Brave Veterans Inc. called for a Veterans Research Trust Fund to protect data and program evaluation work during budget cuts. On claims assistance, one witness supported criminal penalties for unaccredited agents who charge veterans for VA claims help, while a private consulting firm opposed the bill, arguing it would restrict lawful speech and veterans’ choice and that existing federal and HERO Act safeguards already address abuses. The VFW strongly opposed paid claims consulting, said its accredited service officers provide free help statewide, and urged more public awareness of existing free services. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing.

Transcript Highlights:

• No shows for this population is almost 45%, compared to 20% for English-speaking patients.
• No-shows for this population is almost 45%, compared to 20% for English-speaking patients.
• Nearly 40% of Hawaii's homeless population are over 60.
• BGCH serves 3,500 school-aged youth directly through our sites on Oahu and Kauai.
• science education for elementary age science education for elementary age students.<02:52:15.600

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: This joint informational briefing on Act 310 grants and aid focused on organizations describing how federal funding cuts, Medicaid/SNAP changes, and related policy shifts are affecting their services and budgets. Committee members explained there would be no Q&A, testimony would be limited to one minute, and in-person participants would be heard before Zoom callers. Members repeatedly asked testifiers to identify the amount of federal funding lost or at risk. Testimony came from a wide range of nonprofits and community providers, including Aloha Care, Hawaii Bicycling League, Hawaii Literacy, Hawaii Youth Symphony, Healthy Mothers Healthy Babies Coalition of Hawaii, the Tsunami Museum, The Kohala Center, West Hawaii Community Health Center, West Hawaii Region Hospital Foundation, Sounding Joy Music Therapy, Big Brothers Big Sisters Hawaii, Dynamic Community Solutions, Feeding Hawaii Together, Girl Scouts of Hawaii, Hawaii Disability Rights Center, Hawaii Youth Services Network, Hawaiian Lending and Investments, Homana, Honolulu Theatre for the Youth, Kids Hurt Too Hawaii, and Kokua Kalihi Valley. Most described reduced or threatened federal support and requested state funding to maintain services such as health care access, food security, disaster preparedness, literacy and digital inclusion, youth mentoring, arts education, housing, and climate or agricultural resilience. Several speakers emphasized direct impacts on vulnerable populations, including kūpuna, low-income families, immigrants, homeless youth, and people with disabilities. Requests ranged from relatively small planning or program grants to multi-million-dollar stabilization asks, with some organizations citing specific losses such as reduced Medicaid or USDA funding, canceled EPA or FEMA support, or expiring federal grants. No votes or formal committee actions were taken during the briefing.

Transcript Highlights:

• We have a population just over 45,000. It's part of the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area.
• populations in largest Kurdish American populations in the<00:08:22.159> country<00:08:22.879
• <00:20:58.640> can Latino and Indigenous populations can Latino and Indigenous populations
• that been here for ages getting that been here for ages getting government<00:27:38.200> support
• But with all of that said, we are an aging campus.

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• ><00:05:36.360> show<00:05:37.000> that<00:05:37.680> hearing<00:05:37.960> age
• <00:05:38.319> can<00:05:38.560> reduce that um show that hearing age can reduce that
• um show that hearing age can reduce the<00:05:39.199> incidence<00:05:40.000> of<00:05
• I pay for them hearing age I pay for them personally<00:15:57.079> and<00:15:57.240> if
• You guys have going out to our houseless population and, um, our population that is in need, and again

Keywords: 912, senate, all

Summary: The Health and Human Services Committee heard testimony on several health-related measures, with most of the discussion focused on SB 1419, SB 1494, and SB 1495, which were taken out of order to accommodate ASL/Death Blind Task Force testimony. SB 1419, relating to Act 253 (Session Laws of Hawaii 2023), drew support from the Department of Human Services and the National Federation of the Blind of Hawaii, with testimony emphasizing use of the term “low vision” and support for the program timeline. The committee later recommended passage with amendments, including technical changes and updated appropriation fiscal years, and the motion was adopted unanimously by the members present. SB 1494, concerning hearing aids, drew broad support from disability advocates and others who argued that hearing aids improve health, reduce accidents, and may help reduce dementia risk. Testifiers also urged that the bill define hearing aids as prescription hearing aids rather than including over-the-counter devices, and the Department of the Auditor and Insurance Division raised cost and coverage questions. The committee recommended passage with amendments, changing the coverage approach to optional coverage similar to vision and dental and requesting a sunrise analysis for prescription hearing aids; that recommendation was adopted. SB 1495, which exempts hearing aids from the general excise tax, also received support, while the Attorney General flagged a possible single-subject issue and the Tax Department estimated a potential $1.1 million revenue impact. The committee recommended passage with amendments, including deletion of the challenged language, technical fixes, and noting the revenue estimate; that recommendation was adopted. The committee then moved through additional measures with mostly supportive testimony. SB 1421 on medical records prompted questions about what happens when a solo practitioner dies or closes practice, and the discussion centered on ensuring patients can obtain records, including a proposed amendment requiring a successor provider to send records to the patient’s last known address. SB 1422, dealing with a special fund and vital statistics funding, was supported by the Department of Health, which said the special fund did not meet criteria and that deposits should instead go to the Vital Statistics Improvement Special Fund. SB 1423 on certificate of need exemptions for Department of Health facilities drew support, with discussion of possibly extending exemptions to dialysis and behavioral health/psychiatric services; the Department indicated it would not oppose that change. SB 1424 on credentialing of health care providers also received support, and SB 1425 on the State Emergency Medical Services Committee focused on reducing quorum requirements because many members are active first responders and cannot always attend meetings. The committee also heard support for SB 1426 on emergency medical services, SB 1431 on viral hepatitis, and SB 1433 on harm reduction, with testimony on hepatitis outreach funding and syringe access best practices; for SB 1433, the Department of Health identified a blank in the bill and recommended a six-month period for the syringe-possession exception.

Transcript Highlights:

• I was just curious: do we have that broken down by age?
• Thank you. age do would would we be able to dissect age do would would we be able to dissect you<00:17
• Can you give me an idea of, you know, with our aging stock, how, like, is that 2%?
• Unfortunately, we do not collect age in our intake process.
• <01:13:44.000> Park habitability issues in the Aging Park habitability issues in the Aging

Keywords: 1187, senate, all

Transcript Highlights:

• Next, we have AG Service Company on Zoom. Hi, good afternoon. Hope you can hear me.
• in population as a state that's only going to continue to grow.
• <01:01:26.160> in now and we know as we're aging in now and we know as we're aging in population
• as a state that's only going population as a state that's only going to<01:01:28.319> continue
• <01:09:08.759> our populations ages our gender balance our populations ages our gender balance

Keywords: 910, house, all

Summary: The Consumer Protection and Commerce Committee met on February 12 and heard several bills. HB 97, relating to travel insurance, drew only brief testimony: the Insurance Division stood on written testimony, one industry witness supported the bill and requested a minor amendment, and no one else testified or asked questions. HB 226, relating to window tinting, received support from the Department of Transportation, while the Honolulu Police Department offered comments on the proposed amendments, asking for clearer language on what it means to roll windows down, when the requirement applies, how it handles bad weather, and what sanctions would apply for noncompliance. No further testimony was offered on that measure. The committee also heard HB 1179, relating to rural emergency hospitals. The Department of Human Services stood on written testimony, and Maui Health Systems strongly supported the bill, saying it would help critical access hospitals better serve kūpuna and provide long-term care beds. There were no questions or additional testimony. HB 420, relating to remedies and the contractor repair act, generated extensive and sharply divided testimony. Opponents, including attorneys representing homeowners and AARP Hawaii, argued the bill was anti-consumer, would weaken homeowners’ ability to recover for construction defects, and would shift costs and risk to consumers. Supporters, including builders, realtors, the Chamber of Commerce, and D.R. Horton Hawaii, said the bill would create a more balanced and efficient process, reduce unnecessary litigation, and help builders address legitimate defects more quickly. Testimony on HB 420 focused heavily on whether the contractor repair process and class actions help or hinder repairs. Opponents said the bill would delay or limit homeowner recovery, especially for life and safety defects, while supporters said current class-action litigation can prevent direct communication with homeowners and slow repairs. Committee members asked questions about when communication with homeowners stops and whether repairs could be made before a class is certified. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the portion of the meeting provided.

Transcript Highlights:

• Welcome to the April 21st Assembly Aging and Long-Term Care Committee hearing.
• As California's population ages, the demand for proactive community-based health care grows.
• Thank you so much for your work on this bill to support our aging population.

Summary: The Assembly Aging and Long-Term Care Committee met on April 21 and heard three bills. AB 1819 by Assemblymember Sanchez would require buildings serving 50 or more people to have an automated external defibrillator on site. Sanchez said the bill is intended to protect older adults and other community members by improving access to life-saving emergency equipment; supporters included recreation and park districts and respiratory care professionals. The committee members present voted in favor, and the bill was passed as amended and re-referred to Appropriations, with the roll held open for absent members. AB 1983 by Assemblymember Blanca Rubio would create an optional sequential repayment method for continuing care retirement communities, allowing entrance fee repayments to be made in the order residents leave rather than waiting for a specific unit to be reoccupied. Rubio and Erickson Senior Living argued the change would make repayments more predictable and equitable while preserving consumer protections. Support also came from LeadingAge California and the California Assisted Living Association. The committee approved the bill and sent it to Human Services, again holding the roll open for later votes. AB 2037 by Assemblymember Patterson would establish a pilot grant program to help seniors and people with disabilities harden their homes against wildfire risk, with Patterson describing it as a way to support property maintenance and reduce wildfire spread. The California Foundation for Independent Living Centers, AARP California, and local officials testified in support, and committee members accepted amendments to add another county to the pilot. The committee voted to pass the bill as amended and re-refer it to Appropriations. After the initial votes, add-on votes were recorded and the committee adjourned.

Transcript Highlights:

• Assembly Member Seawright, Chair of Aging; Assemblywoman Reyes; Chair of the -- okay, Puerto Rican Hispanic
• ASSEMBLY MEMBER SEAWRIGHT, CHAIR OF AGING, ASSEMBLY WOMAN REYES, CHAIR OF -- OKAY, PUERTO RICAN HISPANIC
• Some of my colleagues will also be talking about, in their various roles, the aging issues, the preauthorization
• We know the population they serve, and they are critical across the state, especially in areas where
• We know the population they serve, and they are critical across the state, especially in areas where

Keywords: 993, senate, all

Summary: The Joint Budget Subcommittee on Health convened as part of the 2026 Annual Budget Committee, with Senate and Assembly co-chairs introducing members, alternates, and the meeting rules. The chairs reviewed subcommittee procedures, including limits on alternates’ voting rights, no proxy participation, germane-topic restrictions, and the requirement that any report receive an affirmative majority vote from each house’s delegation. The co-chairs outlined the main health budget issues under discussion: the global cap, capital funding, hospital and safety-net hospital funding, early intervention, reproductive health, the Medical Indemnity Fund, aging issues, insurance prior authorization, EMS biomarkers, and nursing home funding. The chair emphasized the state’s responsibility to families affected by the Medical Indemnity Fund. Minority members raised support for restoring the full 15 percent capital Medicaid reimbursement for nursing homes, increasing aid for financially distressed hospitals, and addressing home care funding shortfalls. They also urged stronger measures against Medicaid waste, fraud, and abuse, warning against budget gimmicks and emphasizing long-term fiscal sustainability, including careful use of any Medicaid savings tied to the federal 1331 health program. The meeting ended with members saying they would continue consultations with each other and staff to work toward a final, on-time budget.

Transcript Highlights:

• Um, these have different designations, geographic, population, facility-based. 32 of 33 counties have
• How well are we serving the population in these different counties?
• Aver as an aging workforce, and of course our population is an aging population.
• And some of these specialty shortages may be due to population.
• Anna, Anna Anna, age 8, premise of in all the ACEs, the adverse childhood experiences.