Video & Transcript : 'disability benefits' :

Page 87 of 500
MA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Children with disabilities deserve access to that level of care.
  • Abby has benefited in innumerable ways.
  • Open beds to adults with developmental disabilities.
  • I am the mother of a child with severe disabilities.
  • continuum of care for individuals with disabilities.
Keywords: 1212, all
Summary: The hearing focused on the future of Pappas Rehabilitation Hospital for Children, with commissioners, agency officials, workers, and families describing the hospital as a unique integrated setting combining medical care, rehabilitation, education, residential services, and adaptive engineering. Opening remarks from legislators emphasized continued budget funding, the legal requirement that Pappas not close before the commission reports, and a request to extend the commission’s deadline. Several commissioners and witnesses argued that admissions have effectively been curtailed while discharges continue, creating what they described as a de facto closure. Union leaders from AFSCME, SEIU, and the Massachusetts Nurses Association said staff are experiencing uncertainty, morale problems, and loss of confidence because referrals are being discouraged and the census is shrinking. They urged immediate action to stop admission denials and unnecessary discharges, and some proposed temporary modular units or other short-term investments to restore admissions while longer-term plans are developed. Parents and former patients testified that Pappas provided life-changing opportunities and supports that they could not find elsewhere, and that alternative programs or proposed Western Massachusetts options would not meet the same needs. Department of Public Health Commissioner Robert Goldstein said the administration supports keeping Pappas open and stable during the commission’s work, but argued that admissions must comply with hospital-level-of-care rules and that the campus’s deteriorating infrastructure limits who can be safely served. He said DPH is continuing admissions where appropriate, backfilling staff, and exploring ways to expand services, including outpatient therapies and adaptive engineering, while also acknowledging that Pappas is a one-of-a-kind system with no true in-state duplicate. Commissioners requested de-identified admissions and denial data and continued to press the department on whether the current operational changes amount to a silent closure.
MA
Transcript Highlights:
  • Individuals with a disability under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
  • with no disability.
  • But we've also worked directly with the Office of Disability, M.O.D., Massachusetts Office on Disability
  • We've also worked directly with the Office of Disability, M.O.D., Massachusetts Office on Disability,
  • You know, Maryland has a department for disabilities and just created the Office of Disability Employment
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The Disability Employment Subcommittee met with roll call, approved prior meeting minutes, and shared an inspirational quote from Jane Goodall about the importance of every individual. Members then introduced themselves and their roles, including state disability advocates, providers, and commission members, before hearing a presentation from Katia Alpanis and Dina Klumkina of the State Exchange on Employment and Disability (SEED). SEED described its role as a technical assistance and policy resource for states, focused on sharing best practices and examples from other states to expand employment opportunities for people with disabilities. The presentation outlined SEED’s seven policy areas: career readiness and work-based learning, behavioral health and work, stay-at-work/return-to-work supports, employer recruitment and retention tools, entrepreneurship and disability-owned business development, interagency coordination, and state government as a model employer. Examples from other states included scholarship and transition supports in Kentucky and Virginia, stay-at-work programs in Alaska and Washington, accommodation funds in Minnesota, procurement and small business initiatives in New Jersey and Virginia, and model employer efforts in Colorado, New York, and Tennessee. Members also asked about digital accessibility and PEAT; SEED said PEAT has been refunded and that SEED can help with policy-level questions and peer examples, but not implementation of accessibility requirements. Discussion then shifted to possible Massachusetts projects. Members raised concerns about upcoming Medicaid work or civic engagement requirements and how people with disabilities might fall through the cracks, and they asked whether SEED could help Massachusetts use existing documentation, such as IEPs, to reduce barriers. The group identified two main areas for follow-up: a Massachusetts “state as a model employer” roadmap and a youth/young adult employment and volunteer pipeline, potentially linked to transition services and apprenticeship opportunities. SEED agreed to provide Massachusetts-specific analysis and two briefs, one on career readiness policies and one on state-as-model-employer strategies, and the subcommittee planned an offline follow-up meeting to narrow priorities and develop a scope of work.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Jun 25th, 2025

Legislative Health & Human Services Committee

Transcript Highlights:
  • You have a disability or if you're born with a disability, um, many of us, you know, not having a disability
  • The Developmental Disabilities Council and the Governor's Commission on Disability.
  • The disability has to be manifested before age 22.
  • Um, I also serve as the chair of the Disability Coalition, which includes, uh, Disability Rights in New
  • Around uh developmental disabilities.
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Status of Persons with Disabilities Jan 26th, 2026

Transcript Highlights:
  • under the Americans with Disabilities Act.
  • with no disability.
  • But we've also worked directly with the Office of Disability, M.O.D., Massachusetts Office on Disability
  • We've also worked directly with the Office of Disability, M.O.D., Massachusetts Office on Disability.
  • Maryland has a department for disabilities and just created the Office of Disability Employment, Advancement
Keywords: 1212, all
Summary: The Disability Employment Subcommittee met with SEED (the State Exchange on Employment and Disability) staff for a presentation on state disability employment policy options and possible collaboration with Massachusetts. After roll call, the committee approved prior meeting minutes and heard an inspirational quote from Jane Goodall emphasizing that every individual matters and can make a difference. Members then introduced themselves and described their roles in disability employment, accessibility, state government, and advocacy. SEED staff Katya Alpanis and Dina Klumkina explained that SEED provides technical assistance, research, peer-state examples, and policy resources to help states advance disability employment. They outlined seven policy areas, including career readiness and work-based learning, behavioral health and retention, stay-at-work/return-to-work supports, employer recruitment and accommodation tools, disability-owned business development, interagency coordination, and state-as-model-employer strategies. They shared examples from other states such as Kentucky, Virginia, Alaska, Washington, Minnesota, New Jersey, Illinois, Colorado, New York, and others. In response to questions, they clarified that PEAT has been refunded and is expected to return online, and that SEED’s role is policy support rather than implementation of accessibility requirements. Committee members discussed Massachusetts-specific interests, including digital accessibility, existing state efforts, and prior SEED engagement with Massachusetts agencies and legislators. Members raised concerns about upcoming Medicaid work requirements and the risk that people with disabilities could fall through the cracks, and asked whether SEED could help inform state policy responses. The group identified two likely project areas: a Massachusetts state-as-model-employer roadmap and a youth/young adult employment and volunteer pipeline, potentially linked to transition supports and civic engagement. SEED agreed to follow up with briefs and a questionnaire, and the committee planned an offline follow-up discussion to narrow priorities and develop a scope of work. No formal votes beyond approving the minutes were taken.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Veterans and Armed Forces Apr 7th, 2026 at 11:00 am

Veterans and Armed Forces

Transcript Highlights:
  • This is an assignment of benefits.
  • You cannot create a contract with a veteran that has any assignment of benefits or future benefits from
  • Create a contract with a veteran that has any assignment of benefits or future benefits from the VA.
  • It's not talking about the education benefits that they receive or the spousal benefits they receive.
  • You made the statement that they benefit from—maybe you didn't use the word benefit—but you said they
Keywords: 959, house, all
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Health and Mental Health Feb 26th, 2026

Health and Mental Health

Transcript Highlights:
  • What it says is that health benefit plans cannot deny coverage for habilitative or rehabilitative benefits
  • And so, but I did see the language in there on perceived disabilities.
  • And I'd like to touch on this: the essential health benefit plans.
  • I mean, they pay for my wellness exam every year because it is in my benefit and their benefit for me
  • They are considered essential health benefits.
Summary: The House Committee on Health and Mental Health met in executive session and advanced several bills. HB 1881 was voted do pass without discussion. HB 3010 was amended with a committee substitute that removed a subsection allowing payers to remove “gold carding” based on procedure volume changes, then passed 10-0. HB 2355, the “Food is Medicine” bill, received a committee amendment to align terminology with other partnerships and then passed 11-0. HB 1855, dealing with alpha-gal reporting, was substantially revised: the substitute narrowed the bill to alpha-gal, removed Lyme disease, changed a department duty from mandatory to discretionary in one section, and delayed reporting implementation; it then passed 14-0 after members discussed the need for better disease tracking and the department’s workload. The committee then heard testimony on HB 2034, which would require insurance coverage for activity-based prostheses, orthotics, and high-performance or mobility-supportive wheelchairs. Sponsor Representative Carolyn Caton said the bill is intended to cover devices that help people live, exercise, and avoid secondary health problems, while preserving prior authorization and medical-necessity review. Supporters included clinicians, parents, amputees, and athletes who described being denied running blades, water-safe prostheses, or durable wheelchairs and said the devices are essential for health, independence, mental well-being, and participation in school, work, and sports. Several witnesses said the bill would reduce long-term costs and reliance on charity. Opponents, including the Missouri Insurance Coalition and America’s Health Insurance Plans, argued the bill is an expansion of coverage with unclear definitions and potentially significant costs, especially for Medicaid and other state-regulated plans. They cited the fiscal note, warned about possible federal ACA rule changes that could shift costs to states, and questioned whether the bill’s language on Medicare supplemental coverage and “perceived disability” was workable or preempted. Committee members pressed both sides on cost savings, definitions of “normal” activity, and whether the bill could be narrowed or otherwise revised, and several said they were willing to keep working on the issue. The hearing on HB 2034 was left open and then recessed after testimony, with no vote taken in the portion provided.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Human Services Finance and Policy Committee 4/7/26

Human Services Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • </c> The next proposal reduces disability grants or eliminates disability grants.
  • </c> funding to people with disabilities funding to people with disabilities again. again. again.
  • </c> backs of people with disabilities. backs of people with disabilities.
  • </c> dollars from people with disabilities dollars from people with disabilities last<01:41:45.320><c
  • </c> services to disabled and elders. services to disabled and elders.
Keywords: 1183, house
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Appropriations Jan 14th, 2026 at 04:00 pm

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • Please don't cut disability services.
  • That funding directly supports wages, benefits, and essential staffing stability.
  • The funding directly supported wages, benefits, and essential staffing stability.
  • Disability services are already seeing cuts at the federal level.
  • I've helped a chronically homeless man with disabilities stay in his residence.
Bills: HB2289
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Committee on Human Services - 02/17/25

Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • This will incentivize access to a more comprehensive health care benefit for people and benefit the whole
  • </c><00:16:37.040><c> the</c><00:16:37.120><c> whole</c> benefit for people and benefit the whole benefit
  • disability disability waivers<00:52:32.760><c> is</c><00:52:33.319><c> that</c><00:52:33.680><c> it's
  • </c> under uh the section reduced disability under uh the section reduced disability uh<01:01:55.119>
  • <01:32:30.239><c> for</c> benefits for benefits for illegals<01:32:32.239><c> I</c><01:32:32.400><c>
Keywords: 1187, senate, all
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

89th Legislative Session Mar 14th, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Notice of certain reprimands, judicial compensation, and related retirement benefits and reporting of
  • veteran or the surviving spouses of such a veteran based on the disability.
  • The vehicle owner may be transferring a person with a disability for the community.
  • Relating to the pre-authorization of certain benefits by certain health benefit plan issues refer to
  • HP 2319 by Hernandez relating to the cost of living increases applicable to certain benefits paid by
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • with disabilities.
  • with disabilities.
  • with disabilities.
  • with disabilities.
  • with disabilities.
Summary: The Senate Committee for Economic Development, Tourism, and Labor heard two bills. Senate Bill 15, sponsored by Sen. Amanda Bledsoe, was presented with testimony from Major League Baseball in support of exempting minor league baseball players from Kentucky wage-and-hour treatment. Witnesses said the bill would preserve the negotiated collective bargaining structure for players, avoid impractical time-tracking requirements, and keep Kentucky aligned with other states. Senators discussed minor league salary levels, the importance of baseball to Kentucky communities, and the bill’s relationship to minimum wage law. The committee then took a roll call vote and passed the bill with unanimous support from members present. The committee next heard Senate Bill 103 from Sen. Danny Carroll, which would require the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation to adopt regulations under Chapter 13A, limit reciprocal agreements with other states until in-state provider contracts are exhausted, establish procedures for service fee memos before a new fiscal year, and require an annual report with operating and financial information. Testimony from community rehabilitation providers and disability advocates emphasized that the bill would increase transparency, protect local providers, and improve services for people with disabilities seeking competitive employment. They said Kentucky has a large disability population, that many working-age individuals with disabilities are not employed, and that better oversight could help address workforce shortages and reduce reliance on public assistance. Senators asked about the disability population, age ranges served, funding, and recent changes to provider rates and selection processes. The committee then voted to pass Senate Bill 103 unanimously.
WA

Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Ways & Means Feb 23rd, 2026 at 04:00 pm

Ways & Means

Transcript Highlights:
  • receive the federal SSI benefits they are entitled to.
  • Medicaid benefit.
  • We support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities.
  • Thank you for not putting deeply into disability services.
  • in managed care and maintaining the adult dental benefits.
Bills: SB5998
Committee: Senate Ways & Means
FL

Florida 2026 Regular Session

Health Policy Feb 2nd, 2026

Health Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • But I think doulas are a great benefit for women who are having a child.
  • and family members to use benefits if their picture is not on the card.
  • These sites aren't designed for people with disabilities.
  • but I'm also a disabled veteran myself.
  • They don't help someone who's disabled.
Keywords: 999, senate, all
Summary: The committee first considered SB 268, a public records bill for emergency physicians. A strike-all amendment narrowed and clarified the exemption, and the sponsor said it was intended to protect current emergency department physicians and eligible family members who submit a written request. Emergency physician Dr. Sean Patterson and several health care organizations supported the bill, citing threats, harassment, and safety concerns tied to mandatory reporting and patient encounters. The committee adopted the amendment and reported SB 268 favorably as a committee substitute. The committee then heard SB 514, creating the Doula Support for Healthy Births Pilot Program in Broward, Miami-Dade, and Palm Beach counties for pregnant and postpartum women, with priority for those affected by substance use disorder. Members discussed how the Department of Health would implement the pilot, collect data, and work with existing maternal health partners. An amendment changed the funding source to specific appropriations in the General Appropriations Act. Supporters said doula care can improve maternal and infant outcomes and help address Florida’s maternal health crisis. The bill was reported favorably as a committee substitute. SB 36, on use of professional nursing titles, drew extensive debate over whether nurses with doctoral degrees should be able to use the title “doctor” in clinical and advertising settings while clearly identifying themselves as nurses. The sponsor said the bill was about transparency and patient clarity, while several senators raised concerns that patients could confuse DNPs with physicians. Supporters from nursing groups said the bill protects earned credentials and does not expand scope of practice. The committee adopted an amendment aligning the bill with the House version and reported SB 36 favorably as a committee substitute. The committee also reported favorably SB 864, creating a public records exemption for uterine fibroid research data; SB 844, requiring continuing education on sickle cell disease care management for certain health professionals; SB 1404, revising memory care licensing for assisted living facilities; and SB 914, clarifying dry needling authority for occupational therapists. Finally, the committee took up SB 1758, a broad public assistance bill affecting Medicaid and SNAP. The sponsor described reforms including stronger fraud enforcement, a Medicaid work requirement for certain able-bodied adults, expanded behavioral health services through a waiver, pharmacy program changes, and SNAP fraud reduction measures. Members questioned the work requirement, implementation costs, eligibility verification, and due process concerns, while the sponsor said the bill would require federal approval and legislative review before implementation. Three amendments were adopted to adjust drug list update timing, expand public testimony on the high-cost drug list, and require faster prior authorization responses with a temporary supply in emergencies. The transcript cuts off before the final disposition of SB 1758.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

06/10/2026 - Joint Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • for public policy and the public benefit.
  • steps aside to public policy for the public benefit.
  • People with disabilities die without services.
  • These are all benefit generators that come to the state of Arizona.
  • veteran property tax exemption to allow the surviving spouse of a disabled veteran. the disabled veteran
Summary: The joint House and Senate Appropriations committees met to hear the FY 2027 budget package, beginning with the General Appropriations Act (HB 4154/SB 1847). Staff outlined the overall budget, including one-time fund transfers, lump-sum reductions, funding for state employee health insurance, school facilities, corrections, flood and wildfire relief, education and child care, and other ongoing and supplemental items. Members briefly discussed the absence of a requested $1.5 million for the oversight office, but the chair said no amendments would be taken in committee and that only limited technical changes were likely later in the process. Public testimony on the feed bill was largely supportive but focused on specific funding concerns. Testimony highlighted school safety funding, Alzheimer’s services, small business tax expensing provisions, disability oversight for group homes, county use of opioid settlement dollars, adult education/community college funding, victim notification funding, and ESA oversight. Several speakers praised the budget for funding DDD and other services, while others opposed or sought changes to items such as the COMIT group home monitoring program, Maricopa Community Colleges’ lack of operating aid, and a possible cut to the victim notification program. The chair repeatedly emphasized that changes to the negotiated budget would be difficult and should be routed through leadership. The committee then moved quickly through the remaining budget reconciliation bills. Staff summarized bills covering amusement and wagering, capital outlay, commerce, criminal justice, environment, health care, higher education, human services, and K-12 education. Notable provisions included continued wagering assessments, highway and building renewal funding, defense innovation and economic development changes, corrections and wrongful conviction provisions, groundwater and water banking measures, health insurance oversight and opioid settlement provisions, higher education funding and ABOR operating caps, SNAP and housing trust fund changes, and a 2% inflation increase for K-12 formula components. The K-12 bill also included a biometric school safety pilot and a child sexual abuse prevention pilot. No votes were taken in the portion provided, and the chair indicated the committee would continue through the remaining bills.
TX

Texas 89th 2nd C.S.

89th Legislative Session Mar 7th, 2025

Texas House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • Certain facilities or residents providing services to individuals with an intellectual disability or
  • developmental disability refer the Committee on Homeland Security, Public Safety, and Veterans Affairs
  • AB 10:45 by Turner relating to health benefit plan coverage for treatment of chemical dependency referred
  • AP 1052 by Bojani relating to the health benefit plan coverage for telemedicine, tele dentistry, and
  • authority for services and public benefits for the Committee on Public Education.
MO

Missouri 2026 Regular Session

Special Committee on Tax Reform Feb 19th, 2026 at 08:00 am

Special Committee on Tax Reform

Transcript Highlights:
  • How many permanently disabled, 100% disabled people do we have in the state of Missouri currently?
  • , tasked with deciding whether the benefit goes down.
  • And there's guidelines on that disability rating.
  • For many disabled veterans living on fixed incomes, property taxes For many disabled veterans living
  • part of it, that if somebody is 100% disabled... ...the disabled part of it, that if somebody is 100%
Keywords: 959, house, all
MA

Massachusetts 2025-2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery Jun 21st, 2026 at 01:00 pm

Joint Committee on Mental Health, Substance Use and Recovery

Transcript Highlights:
  • as much as those without disabilities.
  • This would both benefit these organizations and those they serve.
  • Massachusetts does not value the safety of those with disabilities as much as those without disabilities
  • I've been diagnosed with psychiatric disabilities.
  • S1394 supports the civil liberties of disabled people by S. 1394 supports the civil liberties of disabled
Keywords: 995, all
Summary: The hearing opened with remarks from House Chair Mindy Domb and Senate Vice Chair Robyn Kennedy, who outlined procedures for the hybrid public hearing, noted the committee would hear testimony on 15 bills related to treatment settings, and recognized members present. The first major bill discussed was H. 4200, authorizing a pilot program for psychedelic-assisted treatment in licensed facilities. Representative Jim O’Day and witnesses from Control Z supported the bill, describing it as a tightly controlled, medically supervised pilot with DPH oversight, limited sites, and screening requirements. Committee members asked about the number of sites and whether Column Health still existed; witnesses said the bill contemplated three separate pilot programs and that Column Health no longer existed after being purchased by another company. The committee also heard testimony on S. 1405 to make the drug stewardship program permanent by removing its 2026 sunset date. Senator John Keenan and others said the program helps collect and safely dispose of unused medications, reduces diversion, and should remain in place because manufacturers should bear disposal costs. A member from Boston added support based on local concerns about people searching through bags for drugs, and Keenan explained the original sunset reflected pilot status and industry pushback. A large portion of the hearing focused on S. 1394 and H. 2193, which would strengthen implementation of the 2023 Roadmap for Behavioral Health Reform. The Children’s Mental Health Campaign, Parent/Professional Advocacy League, Massachusetts Association for Mental Health, and Elliott Community Human Services testified that the roadmap’s helpline, community behavioral health centers, and crisis services are important but unevenly implemented. They urged a single point of accountability within EOHHS, regular strategic planning, a public data dashboard, and financial analysis of the behavioral health system and the access and crisis intervention trust fund. Witnesses said commercial insurance often does not fully reimburse community behavioral health center services, making sustainability difficult, and asked for better coordination across agencies and crisis response systems. Committee members asked whether the roadmap includes substance use disorder; witnesses said it is intended to cover behavioral health broadly, including mental health and substance use. The committee also heard testimony on bills to ban aversives and on suicide prevention signage. Lisa Jean Graff testified in support of S. 1394 by urging a statewide ban on aversive practices, including electric shock, withholding food or bathroom access, and other painful interventions, arguing disabled people deserve the same protections from harm as others. Fonda Bryant and Carol McLean supported a bill requiring suicide prevention signs on tall parking garages, describing personal experiences and saying the signs could create a brief pause and connect people to 988 or other help. McLean said her son died by suicide from a parking garage and that signage might have made a difference. The committee also heard strong testimony in support of creating intensive stabilization and treatment units within DMH facilities (S. 1398/H. 2204), with the Massachusetts Nurses Association and a DMH nurse arguing that highly assaultive patients need specialized, more secure units to protect staff and other patients and to improve care. Additional testimony supported creating a dedicated board for licensed mental health counselors (H. 4696/S. 1382), with Rep. John Badger, the Mass Mental Health Counselors Association, and others saying LMHCs are a large and growing workforce that needs its own licensing board, clearer standards, and faster implementation of existing licensure reforms. The committee also heard extensive testimony on H. 2223 regarding benzodiazepines and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics. Survivors and advocates described severe withdrawal, lack of informed consent, cognitive harms, and long-term disability, while a physician supported the bill as a way to improve disclosure of risks. Finally, the committee heard multiple witnesses in favor of H. 2231/S. 1383 to establish peer-run respite centers statewide. Advocates and people with lived experience said peer respites provide non-coercive, home-like alternatives to hospitalization, can reduce trauma and repeated admissions, and may be especially important for marginalized communities; they also cited cost savings and existing positive outcomes from current respite programs. No votes or final committee actions were taken during the hearing portion reflected in the transcript.
KY
Transcript Highlights:
  • We also have one 1115 waiver benefit.
  • </c><00:08:54.400><c> So,</c> and one benefits, Medicaid benefits.
  • So, and one benefits, Medicaid benefits.
  • </c> just the benefits. just the benefits.
  • We're projecting to spend 100% of that. benefits and you can see our budget what benefits and you can
Keywords: 958, all
Summary: The Budget Review Subcommittee for Health and Family Services met for its first meeting, established quorum, and heard a presentation from Department for Medicaid Services Commissioner Lisa Lee and CFO Steve Becktold. The department reviewed its compliance with House Bill 695, which requires legislative approval before certain Medicaid eligibility, service, benefit, or waiver changes, along with fiscal impact reporting to the Legislative Research Commission. They described current waivers, including home and community-based waivers, managed care and transportation waivers, and the 1115 re-entry waiver, and said the community engagement waiver is in public comment and on track for submission to CMS. They also said required reports and other HB 695 tasks, including a pharmacy rebate fund, budget analyses, expenditure reports, and a behavioral health scorecard, are underway or completed as required. The CFO outlined Medicaid’s budget, saying the department has two appropriation units and projecting near-full use of state funds while leaving some federal funds unspent because of matching-rate differences. They reported roughly 211 filled positions and 11 vacancies. Members asked about the vacancy makeup, the behavioral health scorecard, and whether a provider involved in quality metrics could have a conflict if used in the scorecard process; the department said it would follow up. Members also asked about the community engagement waiver and its interaction with federal policy, and the department said CMS guidance is still pending and that it will proceed under HB 695. A substantial portion of the discussion focused on federal Medicaid policy changes under a reconciliation bill, including possible limits on provider taxes, directed payments, cost-sharing, and community engagement requirements. Department officials said the final federal impact is still uncertain because the Senate bill is not finalized, but they have modeled several scenarios and warned that any reduction in federal support or benefits would be harmful, especially for hospitals and rural hospitals. They estimated Medicaid benefits are funded about 80% federal and 20% state overall, with expansion populations closer to 90% federal funding, and said administrative costs would also rise if federal requirements change. Members also asked about work requirements and eligibility. The department said the community engagement waiver would mainly affect the expansion population, which they estimated at about 450,000 people out of roughly 1.5 million total Medicaid enrollees, and that many groups are exempt, including children, the aged, blind, disabled, and people in substance use disorder treatment. Officials said they can provide data on how many enrollees are working or work-ready and explained that their eligibility system is designed to prevent duplication by automatically placing people in the correct category and correcting errors quickly. They also noted a federal proposal to require expansion eligibility reviews every six months, compared with current annual renewals.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

IC - Indian Affairs Sep 26th, 2025

House Government, Elections & Indian Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • They see benefits of cooperation to expand the markets for New Mexico.
  • I chair the Disability Justice Committee.
  • I'm a union steward, and I'm also a disabled employee.
  • We've done things like consult with disability.
  • My wife is an attorney for disability rights.
NM

New Mexico 2025 Regular Session

House - Taxation and Revenue Feb 5th, 2025

House Taxation & Revenue

Transcript Highlights:
  • This bill seeks to give benefit to our veterans, our disabled veterans, and of course, veteran widows
  • proportionate exemption reflecting a veteran's disability.
  • But what's new is that the disabled exemption used to be just a 100% exemption for a 100% disabled veteran
  • If you are partially disabled, let's say 90% disabled, and you receive the $10,000 exemption, which do
  • Chair and Vice-Chair Cadena, the disabled prorated. It is more difficult.