Video & Transcript : 'vendor rate' :

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AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama House County and Municipal Government Committee Feb 5th, 2025

County and Municipal Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • Are there any vendors that would...
  • Are there any vendors that would like to ask the sponsor of the bill any questions?
  • Thanks to people like Ref to the Hendricks, there have been significant decreases in crime rates for
Bills: SB82, SB78, SB4, SB6, SB62, SB66, SB77, SB63, SB79, SB53, SB55, HB14
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • So the Governor's budget proposes raising the rate to $99 per student, and we're saying you could do
  • We are very supportive of the Governor's proposal to increase the base rate. That is helpful.
  • We are very supportive of the Governor's proposal to increase the base rate. That is helpful.
  • As you heard today, identification rates in special education have increased significantly.
  • ...consideration supporting the $999 base rate.
Summary: The Senate Budget Subcommittee on Education heard the Governor’s proposals on dual enrollment, reading difficulty screeners, special education, school facilities, and Commission on Teacher Credentialing programs. For dual enrollment, the Department of Finance described a $100 million one-time Proposition 98 General Fund proposal to expand the Dual Enrollment Opportunities Grant Program, add flexibility for regional occupational centers, support justice-involved youth, prioritize higher-need LEAs, and allow funds for teacher professional development, along with a reduction in required instructional minutes for some dual enrollment students. The LAO recommended rejecting the new funding, saying it did not address a clear implementation barrier, while CDE supported the proposal and suggested reserving $10 million for technical assistance. Members and public commenters largely supported the expansion, with some urging additional technical assistance and broader access, including adult dual enrollment. The committee then discussed the reading difficulty screener proposal, which includes $40 million one-time Proposition 98 General Fund for implementation costs and statutory changes that would delay formal screening until the 91st day for kindergarten and the 46th day for grades 1-2. Finance said the timing was intended to reduce over-identification and align screening with sufficient exposure to instruction; the LAO recommended rejecting the funding and redirecting it to a discretionary block grant. CDE supported the investment but cautioned about the timing restrictions, and several members and public witnesses argued the proposed deadlines were too rigid and could delay early intervention, while others supported the structured timeline as a way to improve accuracy and reduce misidentification. On special education, Finance presented a proposal to increase the statewide base rate to $99 per ADA through a $509 million ongoing Proposition 98 General Fund augmentation, plus COLA and a negative growth adjustment. The LAO said the proposal should be adopted but estimated it could be achieved with less funding; CDE strongly supported the increase, citing rising enrollment and local cost pressures, and district and SELPA representatives described large local funding gaps and growing expenditures. The committee also reviewed school facilities funding under Proposition 2, with Finance and the Office of Public School Construction describing $1.5 billion in proposed bond spending, existing balances for new construction and modernization, and the use of bond authority for natural disaster recovery, including projects related to recent fires. For the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, the committee heard about the Student Teacher Stipend Program, the Golden State Teacher Grant, state operations funding for misconduct investigations and SB 848 implementation, and a $250 million proposal to extend the Teacher Residency Grant Program; CTC supported the proposals and highlighted new data systems and technical assistance, while public testimony broadly backed the investments and urged continued or additional funding for teacher recruitment, literacy screening support, and special education.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Public Education Mar 4th, 2025

Public Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's a shamefully low rating among the 50 states.
  • , graduation rates.
  • And let's fund those at a much higher rate.
  • , we've had reduced discipline rates.
  • Do they pay vendors? Okay. In which case it is not.
Bills: HB2, HB2
CA
Transcript Highlights:
  • You need to go into negotiation with the vendor who ultimately gets selected based upon the criteria.
  • I was going to say the formula in statute that funds the fund for the contribution rate, there's a 30%
  • formula in there that effectively tries to drive the adequacy rate of the fund to around having a 30%
  • So that means anybody can park there and pay the daily rate, even members of the public, because it’s
  • So where we have high caseloads and vacancy rates in the 40 percentile, this return-to-work order is
Summary: The subcommittee heard an informational update on the state’s generative AI implementation and related oversight. Administration officials said several proof-of-concept projects have moved into minimum viable product phases, including work at CDTFA and Caltrans, and that CDPH has a May Revision request for up to $8 million to scale up its healthcare facilities inspections project. The Legislative Analyst’s Office urged the administration to publish a report on lessons learned from each POC and recommended limiting the new generative AI approval process to a pilot through the first two rounds of projects, with continued monthly meetings and stronger legislative oversight. Members pressed for more transparency and questioned why the CDPH request was not included in January; the administration said the cost estimate was not available then and that only one project is seeking additional resources beyond existing departmental budgets. The committee then reviewed a proposed $400 million loan from the Labor and Workforce Development Fund to the General Fund. Finance and the Labor Agency said the fund has grown because civil penalty revenues have risen sharply, and the loan would be repaid in 2029-30 with provisional language allowing earlier repayment if needed. The LAO agreed the fund could support the loan but warned that recent PAGA reforms may reduce future revenues. Public commenters, including labor and community groups, argued the money should instead support labor-law enforcement and outreach programs such as CWOP, and urged rejection of the loan. Members also heard a Department of Industrial Relations request for $19.1 million for phase two of Public Works Information Technology System Enhancements, which officials said will support labor-law enforcement and apprenticeship registration. The department said the project was delayed because a prior procurement did not result in a contract award and that completion is now expected in October 2026. The committee then took up an EDD Next reappropriation technical adjustment to extend UI fund spending authority through June 30, 2026; the LAO said the request was fine but again raised concerns about oversight of the larger modernization effort, which EDD said now totals more than $660 million and is expected to continue through 2029. Finally, the committee discussed DGS’s request for new parking facilities near the May Lee Building and a trailer bill shifting statewide telework policy language from DGS to CalHR while also expanding NDI eligibility for certain CEA employees. The LAO said the telework trailer bill should likely go through the policy committee process instead of budget, and union and employee witnesses strongly opposed it, arguing it would undermine bargaining rights and could be used to narrow telework. In a separate item on the governor’s return-to-office order, administration officials said departments are being directed to move to a four-day in-office expectation starting July 1, 2025, but they had no statewide cost estimate yet because departments are still assessing vacancies, exemptions, and space needs. Members criticized the lack of analysis and said the state should have clearer numbers before moving forward.
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

FIN Info Briefing - Tue Jan 13, 2026 @ 9:00 AM HST

Hawaii House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c><02:22:41.600><c> for</c> you know, the average uh room rate for you know, the average uh room rate
  • </c> vacation rental and occupancy rates vacation rental and occupancy rates across<02:22:43.760><c>
  • I'll also say that their fee of 20% is a lot less than the typical going rate.
  • I'll also say that their fee of 20% is a lot less than the typical going rate.
  • So, it was than the typical going rate.
Keywords: 910, house, all
OR
Transcript Highlights:
  • company that we contract with that provides that service offering to us, and so we provide a fixed-rate
  • 3, 2025, and as of the receipt of the Secretary of State's audit, we were at a 99% acknowledgement rate
  • So the question is: have you seen, are you losing these things at a rate that merits this?
  • Those do have a little different rate; however, I think we've been given guidance on what they consider
  • The question is, are we losing things at any rate that matters if we spend a lot of money and time because
Keywords: 907, all
Summary: The Joint Interim Committee on Legislative Audits met on June 17 for informational presentations. The Department of Administrative Services, through Chief Audit Executive Eli Ritchie, gave an overview of statewide internal audit requirements and the fiscal year 2025 report. He explained the difference between internal and external audit, described Oregon’s statutory and rule-based internal audit structure, and reported that 30 agencies had internal audit functions, with most meeting required standards. He said 73 audits and 49 advisory/consulting engagements were completed statewide, with strong compliance overall, though a few agencies were rebuilding audit committees after vacancies. No committee questions were raised after the presentation. The Secretary of State’s Audits Division then presented its Government Waste Hotline annual report. Director Steve Bergman and audit manager Olivia Rekhed described changes made to align the hotline with statute, including renaming it the Government Waste Hotline, creating a review panel, improving anonymity protections, removing fraud reporting from the hotline’s scope, and adjusting reporting timelines. They said hotline volume increased modestly in 2025, most reports were referred elsewhere or closed for insufficient evidence, and two reports were substantiated, including questioned costs of about $856 for personal use of a state vehicle and about $2.9 million tied to the Preschool Promise program. Committee members asked about hotline staffing, cost, anonymity, and follow-up on findings; staff said the hotline is lightly resourced, uses a contracted intake service, and referrals or recommendations are followed up through management letters and later reviews. The committee also heard an audit of the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department’s safety inspections and asset tracking. The Secretary of State’s office reported that OPRD had not consistently conducted or documented quarterly OSHA safety inspections and had incomplete asset records, including missing acquisition dates and costs for many assets. The audit made eight recommendations covering safety inspection policies, asset management guidance, tagging, reconciliations, disposition controls, training, and a new asset management system; OPRD agreed to all recommendations. OPRD officials said they had already begun training staff, improving inspection procedures, and working toward a replacement asset system, while noting operational challenges from a large, dispersed park system and manual processes. Committee members asked about what kinds of assets are tracked, how tagging works, whether items were actually being lost, and how much tracking is necessary for low-value tools; OPRD said the main issue was inconsistent classification and documentation rather than widespread loss. The meeting ended with no votes or formal actions taken.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

General Laws Feb 18th, 2026

General Laws

Transcript Highlights:
  • Currently, Texas's rate of gun crimes has decreased. Not saying that their passage of...
  • Texas's rate of gun crimes has decreased.
  • but it would lead us to believe that passing something to allow suppressors has not increased any rates
  • The rate of them being used in crimes is infinitesimal.
  • So having a third-party vendor do those is absolutely an option.
Summary: The Committee on General Laws met with a quorum and first went into executive session on House Bill 2774, the Jeff Knight bill concerning gas-powered leaf blowers. An amendment was adopted to exempt the city of Clayton, Missouri, allowing it to ban gas-powered leaf blowers if it chooses. The committee then rolled the amendment into a House Committee Substitute and voted the substitute do pass by 12 yeas and 0 nays. The committee next took up House Bill 2176 by Representative Perkins and voted it do pass by 8 yeas and 4 nays. After that, the committee held a public hearing on House Bill 1730, sponsored by Representative Koslow, which would treat Missouri-made firearm suppressors that remain in-state as outside federal Commerce Clause oversight. The sponsor and supporters argued the bill would protect hearing, reduce federal burdens, and not increase crime; members raised concerns about concealment and public safety, but no opposition testimony was offered and the hearing closed. The final public hearing was on House Bill 2504 by Representative Elliott, which would expand who may be designated as school protection officers to include additional school personnel, such as classified staff, if they volunteer, complete required training, and are approved through local school board and state processes. Supporters, including a school superintendent, security trainer, law enforcement officer, and public advocate, said the bill would improve response times in rural districts that cannot afford school resource officers and emphasized the extensive training and vetting already required. Opponents or skeptical members questioned whether adding more armed personnel in schools was the right response to school violence, but no formal opposition testimony was presented before the committee adjourned.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

General Laws Feb 18th, 2026

General Laws

Transcript Highlights:
  • Currently, Texas's rate of gun crimes has decreased, not saying that their passage of...
  • Texas's rate of gun crimes has decreased, not saying that their passage of this law caused that, but
  • it would lead us to believe that passing something to allow suppressors has not increased any rates of
  • The rate of them being used in crimes is infinitesimal.
  • So having a third-party vendor do those is absolutely an option.
Keywords: 959, house, all
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

EDU Public Hearing 03-18-2026

Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • We are currently at a vacancy rate of 27%. In 2024, our vacancy rate was 43%.
  • So, the vendors, you can't just do that with the vendors. We can.
  • What the vendors can get more than 250, right? You go to the vendors. Um, okay.
  • So, you folks go through vendors. I don't know why hot dog different vendors, right?
  • different vendors, right? different vendors, right?
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources & Energy. (2-11-26)

Natural Resources & Energy

Transcript Highlights:
  • to rate customers.
  • to rate customers.
  • </c><00:36:32.400><c> Um,</c> shift in rates to rate customers.
  • Um, shift in rates to rate customers.
  • </c> just trying to stabilize the rates. just trying to stabilize the rates.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am

Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure

Transcript Highlights:
  • There is a provision in there on warranty rates to make it one and a half times the amount of time.
  • You know that dealers already charge a higher labor rate than independent shops.
  • do not have the very tools and training that they use to justify their labor rates.
  • For all the discussions with the car dealers about flat rate, you're limited by the same flat rate discussion
  • For all the discussions with the car dealers about flat rate, you're limited by the same flat rate discussion
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Consumer Protection and Professional Licensure heard testimony on a wide range of bills involving consumer protection, auto regulation, alcohol licenses, and professional licensure. A major focus was legislation to require a one-hour domestic violence awareness training for salon and cosmetology licensees (H.323/S.200), supported by District Attorney Marion Ryan, law enforcement, and a salon industry witness who described the program’s value in identifying and helping victims. The committee also heard strong support from the Attorney General’s office for auto consumer protection legislation (S.228/H.379) that would expand used-car warranty protections, extend the Lemon Law return period to seven days after receipt of the vehicle, raise the mileage cap to 200,000 miles, and increase dealer surety bonds to $50,000. Independent dealers opposed those changes, arguing they would burden small businesses and that dealer education, not expanded liability, was the better solution. The committee also took testimony on bills related to vehicle financial products and repair information. A trade association supported GAP waiver legislation (H.4188/S.281), saying it would create clear consumer protections and standard disclosures. On right-to-repair and heavy-duty vehicle service information (S.266), engine and truck manufacturers supported an exemption for commercial vehicles, while others argued that releasing service data to the general public could create safety, cybersecurity, and emissions risks. The committee then heard extensive testimony on auto dealer franchise and warranty reimbursement legislation (S.201/H.406), with dealer groups supporting changes to warranty labor reimbursement and manufacturer groups opposing them as costly and unnecessary. Manufacturers from GM, Volvo, Toyota, Hyundai, Mazda, and others said their current time-study and appeals processes already compensate dealers fairly and that the bill would raise costs for consumers. In addition, the committee heard testimony on H.333, which would move auto damage appraiser licensing from the Division of Insurance to the Division of Occupational Licensure. Collision repair advocates supported the change, saying the current board structure leads to repeated dismissals of complaints and lacks accountability, while emphasizing that the bill is intended to protect consumers and ensure proper repair reimbursement. The hearing also included testimony in support of a local alcohol license petition for Westwood and a separate local alcohol measure for a town grant license. At the end of the hearing, the chairs announced that all docketed bills had been heard, noted that a joint poll would be held on H.4184, and the committee voted to adjourn by voice vote.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Working Group on Omnibus Taxes Bill - 05/23/25

Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> the rate can't go below 0.5%. the rate can't go below 0.5%.
  • </c> just essentially hardcode the 0.5% rate just essentially hardcode the 0.5% rate for<00:15:40.000
  • We're not changing the rate.
  • Um it says um sort classification rates.
  • </c> uh it's a generous classification rate. uh it's a generous classification rate.
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
CO

Colorado 2026 Regular Session

Colorado House 2026 Legislative Day 055 Mar 9th, 2026

Colorado House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • A 2021 figure cited nearly 921 million records, with ongoing digitization at rates of 50 million per
  • A 2021 figure cited nearly 921 million records, with ongoing digitization at rates of 50 million per
  • of 50 million per digitization at rates of 50 million per year.
  • </c><04:51:24.798><c> discount</c> changing station uh group rate discount changing station uh group
  • So if they are a fundraising vendor or a vendor who has goods related to the activity, maybe it's a printer
Keywords: 981, all
ND
Transcript Highlights:
  • So rates rose a little bit, and equity markets came in.
  • And, of course, they have something called a cap rate, and you discount cash flows at a higher rate,
  • You could multiply that by 12 to get an idea of the run rate on that return.
  • You could multiply that by 12 to get an idea of the run rate on that return.
  • We got a zero-deficiency rating, which is almost impossible to get from the SEC.
Summary: The committee met to approve prior minutes and receive updates on the Legacy Fund transparency website and fund performance. Staff reported the website procurement was in contract negotiations, with a planned go-live around November 1, and that the site would provide downloadable, more transparent information on fund holdings, allocations, history, and legislative appropriations while protecting confidential data. The investment office then reviewed performance through January 2026, describing strong returns relative to benchmarks, noting real estate and fixed income as weaker areas, and explaining that the fund’s diversification and internal management had helped offset market volatility, including recent geopolitical impacts. Members also discussed the in-state investment program, especially the Bank of North Dakota’s CD-match allocation. Several members questioned whether the program had been static for years and whether the uncommitted balance should remain parked there if it was not being used. The committee voted to pause further transfers into the program until the Bank provides a report and the committee can consider possible statutory changes; the motion also requested a cost-benefit analysis from RVK, and it passed by roll call vote. In the afternoon, RVK presented its review of the investment policy statement as it relates to the in-state investment program. The consultant said it found no major policy impediments, and that implementers and stakeholders generally felt the program was proceeding as intended. RVK emphasized best practices such as third-party due diligence, competitive risk-adjusted returns, diversification, pacing, and exit strategies, while cautioning that required lower-return investments or spending commitments can create pressure on the fund’s long-term real value. The consultant also raised ancillary concerns about state-level concentration risk, the need to distinguish between public and commercial infrastructure, and the lack of a central repository for all state funding commitments to the same projects.
AR

Arkansas 2026 Regular Session

ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE Mar 16th, 2026

ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:
  • So from commercial carriers, not to Medicaid, what's the rate? Why is the rate?
  • Medicaid, what's the rate? Why is the rate so low?
  • The rate is what it is. The last time we had a rate change for inpatient Medicaid was in 2007.
  • So where does the rate that we get for our per diem rate come from?
  • And we'll look at the per diem rate.
Summary: The subcommittee met to review Arkansas DHS hospital spending and reimbursement methods, with Secretary Janet Mann and Deputy Secretary Misty Eubanks explaining Medicaid hospital payments. They described fee-for-service per diem payments, cost settlements, and the upper payment limit (UPL) program, noting that SFY 2025 hospital payments included $688 million in inpatient/outpatient claims, $473 million in UPL payments, $248 million in cost settlements, and about $47 million in other payments such as graduate medical education and disproportionate share hospital funds. Members asked about why per diem rates vary, how cost settlements work, why UPL applies mainly to private hospitals, and how assessment fees are structured and funded. DHS said the hospital assessment fee is broad-based and uniform, used as the state share to draw federal funds, and that supplemental hospital payments after federal match totaled $548 million with no general revenue used. The Arkansas Hospital Association’s Jody Ann Tritt then gave a broader overview of the hospital landscape, explaining the different hospital types in the state, including critical access hospitals, rural emergency hospitals, PPS hospitals, and specialty hospitals. She said Arkansas hospitals face financial strain, citing a negative 5.18% patient service margin statewide and lower reimbursement than surrounding states. She argued that Arkansas hospitals are paid less than hospitals in neighboring states for similar services, that commercial payer rates and administrative burdens are a major problem, and that Medicaid and Medicare rates remain below cost even with UPL support. She also said hospitals are the backbone of community care, provide emergency and public health functions, and are looking for ways to invest in technology and telehealth but often lack the revenue to do so. Members pressed for clearer data on hospital finances, reimbursement adequacy, and the impact of commercial insurers. Tritt said the association had just authorized a statewide survey to gather updated financial information from hospitals, which she said would take about a year to complete. She also explained that Medicaid pays weekly, Medicare and commercial plans can involve delays and denials, and that hospitals often spend significant resources on revenue cycle work. The discussion ended with a brief update on assisted living reimbursement: DHS said one facility, The Pillars of the Community in Crossett, had announced closure, nine Living Choices waiver clients were being transitioned, and the updated rate study would be available after cost reports are collected, likely before the end of the fiscal year. The meeting then adjourned.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Revenue Jun 21st, 2026 at 10:00 am

Joint Committee on Revenue

Transcript Highlights:
  • In 2021, as you all know, the housing industry, the interest rates went up, the housing market is gone
  • Can you please give me an example of a regular vendor, the same in the park, a real example of how a
  • vendor just selling hot dogs was...
  • Can you please provide an example of, like, a vendor in the park that has happened, like he sell hot
  • my earlier clients in the tax clinic, where we tried to resolve tax cases for crime, is a hot dog vendor
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Joint Committee on Revenue held a hybrid hearing on several property and local tax bills. The main focus was H.56, the Municipal Empowerment Act, which the Healey-Driscoll Administration, the Massachusetts Municipal Association, MAPC, and Salem Mayor Dominick Pangallo supported as a package of local options and administrative reforms. Supporters said municipalities need more tools to relieve pressure on property taxes and fund services, citing proposed increases to local meals and lodging taxes, a new local vehicle excise surcharge, senior property tax relief, one-year override flexibility for emergencies, and central valuation of telecom and utility property by DOR. The administration said the bill was based on municipal listening sessions and was intended to give cities and towns optional, not mandatory, revenue tools. Opponents, including the National Federation of Independent Businesses, argued the tax increases would hurt restaurants, hotels, tourism, and small businesses and add to affordability concerns. The committee also heard testimony on H.3211, dealing with deeds excise receipts, from Norfolk County Commissioner Richard Staidi. He said Norfolk County is financially stable but needs additional revenue for major capital needs at its agricultural school, especially a new cafeteria and other aging facilities, and also to support county programs such as veteran transportation services. On S.2020, a bill to allow settlements of tax liability, Greater Boston Legal Services, the Asian American Civic Association, and several individual taxpayers urged creation of a more workable offer-in-compromise process at DOR. They said the current system is too subjective, requires an unaffordable $5,000 threshold, lacks clear standards and appeal rights, and leaves low-income taxpayers stuck with unmanageable debt, license suspensions, or business closures. Supporters said the bill would give both taxpayers and DOR a practical way to resolve liabilities and bring people back into compliance. The committee also took testimony on S.1966, which would require nonprofits selling property to disclose any back-tax obligations to buyers. Senator Peter Durant said the bill was prompted by a personal experience in which a tax bill arrived after a nonprofit property purchase was already completed, and he argued the disclosure would prevent buyers from being surprised by retroactive tax liability. No votes were taken during the hearing, and the chair closed the session after hearing from all scheduled witnesses.
AR

Arkansas 2026 1st Special Session

ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE Mar 16th, 2026

ALC-HOSPITAL, MEDICAID, & DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES STUDY SUBCOMMITTEE

Transcript Highlights:
  • Is it just a flat rate per patient per bed? Yes, ma'am.
  • Is it just a flat rate per patient per bed? Yes, ma'am.
  • So from commercial care, now to Medicaid, what's the rate? Why is the rate so low?
  • The rate is what it is. The last time we had a rate change.
  • So where does the rate that we get for our per diem rate come from?”
Summary: The subcommittee met to review Department of Human Services hospital payments in Arkansas Medicaid, with DHS Secretary Janet Mann and Deputy Secretary Misty Eubanks presenting first, followed by Arkansas Hospital Association Executive Vice President Jody Ann Tritt and a brief comment from Arkansas Children’s. DHS outlined the main hospital payment streams: fee-for-service per diem payments, upper payment limit (UPL) supplemental payments, cost settlements, and smaller payments such as graduate medical education and disproportionate share hospital funds. Members asked for plain-language explanations of cost settlements, why per diem rates vary by hospital type, and why UPL applies to private hospitals. DHS said cost settlements and UPL are mechanisms to help offset Medicaid underpayment, with SFY 2025 hospital payments totaling hundreds of millions of dollars and no general revenue used for supplemental payments beyond the state share funded through hospital assessments and related financing structures. Committee members focused heavily on whether Arkansas hospitals are adequately reimbursed and why rural hospitals struggle. Tritt explained that critical access hospitals, rural emergency hospitals, PPS hospitals, and specialty hospitals operate under different federal and state rules, and said lower per diem rates for some facilities help with cash flow and later cost settlement adjustments. She said Arkansas hospitals are under financial strain, citing a negative patient services margin statewide and noting that Medicaid, Medicare, and commercial payers all contribute to the problem. She also said the association had just authorized a statewide survey of hospital finances and costs, which she expected would take about a year to complete. A major theme was commercial insurance reimbursement. Tritt argued Arkansas hospitals are paid far less than hospitals in neighboring states even though premiums are similar, and said administrative burdens, prior authorizations, and denials add to the problem. She said hospitals receive about 52 to 53 cents on the dollar for Medicaid costs without UPL and about 78 cents with UPL, still below cost. Members also discussed Medicare wage index issues, Medicare Advantage, and whether hospitals could use technology or alternative arrangements to improve finances. No votes were taken on the hospital presentation. At the end of the meeting, DHS provided a brief update on Living Choices and assisted living reimbursement. Officials said one assisted living facility, Pillars of the Community in Crossett, had announced closure, with nine waiver clients being transitioned to other settings. DHS said the current cost reporting period was underway and that a new rate study could be ready for review before the end of the fiscal year if reports were submitted on time. Members also asked about the broader waiver plan, and DHS said the next waiver iteration would likely be brought back to the committee in the summer.
NH

New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session

Senate Health and Human Services (04/16/2025)

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • So, at any rate, I will be brief.
  • </c> reimbursement rate at 325% of Medicare. reimbursement rate at 325% of Medicare.
  • </c> Representative Hunt's rates are Maine. Representative Hunt's rates are Maine.
  • With Washington's current rates.
  • ,</c> um it would have to be in the rates, um it would have to be in the rates, right?
Keywords: 1191, senate, all
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Nov 5th, 2025

Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • or reducing at the same rate that necessarily is needed.
  • Obviously, that's much higher than the rate of inflation.
  • Look at the rate of increase—pretty substantial, pretty steep.
  • for the immunization rate at our pharmacy.
  • Well, they have a higher utilization rate.
KY

Kentucky 2026 Regular Session

House Standing Committee on State Government.(1-29-26)

State Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • 42.400><c> providers,</c><00:23:43.200><c> and</c><00:23:43.440><c> multiple</c><00:23:43.919><c> vendors
  • </c> mile providers, and multiple vendors mile providers, and multiple vendors involved<00:23:45.360>
  • The board retains responsibility for planning, fiscal oversight, rate setting, monitoring performance
  • The board retains responsibility for planning, fiscal oversight, rate setting, monitoring performance
  • The board retains responsibility for planning, fiscal oversight, rate setting, monitoring performance