Video & Transcript Research : 'rate increase'
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MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
Committee on Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate - 03/10/25
Energy, Utilities, Environment, and Climate
Transcript Highlights:
- REA buys at the peak rate.
- REA buys at the peak rate.
- <01:23:54.960>
retail than the going retail than the going retail rate rate rate so<01:23: - retail rate?
- <01:38:39.159>
is retail rate than the wholesale rate is retail rate than the wholesale rate
WA
Washington 2025-2026 Regular Session
JLARC – Joint Legislative Audit & Review Committee Jul 16th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- rate, sorry.
- see an average B&O tax rate reduction of 82% due to the preference.
- This is a 107% increase from fiscal year 2020.
- This is a 107% increase from fiscal year 2020.
- Of increasing their share of revenues dedicated to affordable housing.
Summary:
The meeting began with JLARC’s biennial executive committee elections. After confirming a quorum, members unanimously elected Representative Pollet as chair, Senator Wagoner as vice chair, Representative Orcutt as secretary, and Senator Solomon as assistant secretary for the 2025-27 biennium. The committee also approved the May 14 meeting minutes unanimously. Chair Pollet then outlined a commitment to more member input on audit scope and coordination with the State Auditor’s Office.
Staff presented a preliminary report on Washington State recreation boating programs. They reported that six agencies administer boating-related activities, that the state collected about $108 million in boating-related revenue in 2021-23, and that $86 million was spent, mostly on infrastructure and water access, environmental protection, boater safety, and marine law enforcement. Staff said Washington’s boating laws and programs are broadly similar to other states and noted that the final report is expected in September.
JLARC then reviewed several tax preferences. For natural gas used as a transportation fuel, staff said the preferences reduce fuel costs but did not meet emissions-reduction targets because fewer vessels and vehicles converted to natural gas than expected; staff recommended continuing some exemptions and modifying reporting requirements. For travel agents and tour operators, staff said the preference continues to provide tax relief, but large beneficiaries’ savings are rising while small beneficiaries’ use is declining, leading to recommendations to continue the small-business rate and add or revise performance metrics. Staff also reviewed a nonprofit low-income housing property tax exemption, concluding it helps developers build homes as intended but that the performance metric should better reflect housing outcomes; they recommended the legislature decide whether to continue or modify it. Other reviews covered multipurpose senior citizen centers, disabled veteran adapted housing, trade convention attendance, agricultural fertilizer and seed wholesaling, hazardous substance tax treatment for pesticides, and silicon smelter energy preferences, with recommendations ranging from continuation to expiration depending on whether the stated objectives were met.
The committee then adopted the final cannabis market study for distribution. Staff reported that Washington businesses produced two to three times more cannabis than retailers sold in 2023, and that inaccurate and incomplete reporting limits the Liquor and Cannabis Board’s ability to regulate the market. The board said it concurs with the recommendations, including developing a plan for a new data system and considering broader social equity options. Finally, staff presented the proposed final report on Department of Health oversight of hospital data reporting, inspections, and complaints. Staff said DOH was late on most acute-care hospital inspections, had not fully verified third-party inspection standards, and did not adequately review adverse event correction plans or assess language access barriers in its complaint system. DOH said it concurs with all six recommendations and has already made some transparency improvements, including a public dashboard for adverse event reporting.
WY
Wyoming 2026 Regular Session
House Floor Session-Day 19, March 4, 2026-AM
Wyoming House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- lower assessment rate. lower assessment rate.
- here, $100 million increase there, a couple $10 million increase there a few weeks ago.
- here, $100 million increase there, a couple $10 million increase there a few weeks ago.
- Because we pulled every lever, values, increases, and now this would be on the assessment rate, which
- Because we pulled every lever, values, increases, and now this would be on the assessment rate, which
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Committee on Commerce and Consumer Protection - 03/20/25
Commerce and Consumer Protection
Transcript Highlights:
- Uh, as you know, interest rates have drastically increased in recent years, and more people are choosing
- If rates in the market were to go back up, the value of their federal tax credits would increase to make
- increases.
- buffered from further rate increases. buffered from further rate increases.
- if the rates go up and the premiums increase<01:37:13.840>
um <01:37:14.560>their <01:37
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Floor Session May 19th, 2025
California House Floor Meeting
Transcript Highlights:
- They knew that increasing Medi-Cal reimbursement rates meant better access to doctors, hospitals, and
- rates for doctors. ...which was passed by 68% of voters and promised increased reimbursement rates for
- Without this funding, doctors and hospitals may not receive the rate increases they were promised, jeopardizing
- This bill also specifies that an increase in MST sales tax would not count toward the 2% combined rate
- disproportionate increase in suicide among California veterans and daily rates of suicide among Californians
Summary:
The Assembly met after a quorum call, prayer, and Pledge of Allegiance, then moved through a long Daily File with several guest introductions and floor speeches. Members recognized visiting student leaders, championship football teams from Tuolumne County, Alpha Kappa Alpha members at their Capitol day, and later a descendant of Wong Kim Ark. The chamber also adopted a procedural motion allowing certain members to host guests in the rear of the chamber.
Among the major policy items, AB 578 on food delivery platform refund practices passed 47-2, AB 344 on successor beer manufacturer definitions passed 61-0, AB 454 to make California’s migratory bird protections permanent passed 55-12 on the urgency clause, AB 482 updating the Table Grape Commission passed 64-1, AB 1237 to support transit access for 2026 FIFA World Cup ticket holders passed 56-15 on the urgency clause, AB 738 on wildfire rebuild solar exemptions passed 42-2, AB 1460 on 340B pharmacy access for clinics passed 41-5, AB 750 on homeless shelter oversight passed 49-1, AB 1061 on housing in historic districts passed 41-13, AB 1523 on expanding mandatory mediation thresholds passed 65-0, and AB 316 on AI-related civil liability passed 56-0. AB 761 authorizing the Monterey-Salinas Transit District to seek a sales tax ballot measure passed 47-12.
The chamber also adopted several resolutions. AJR 3 urging protection of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid passed 53-2 after extensive debate that included criticism of federal cuts and counterarguments focused on state Medi-Cal policy and budget decisions. ACR 65 proclaiming California Tourism Month was adopted by voice vote after coauthors were added, and ACR 62 recognizing California Nonprofits Day was also adopted by voice vote with 65 coauthors. AJR 5 affirming birthright citizenship and opposing efforts to end it passed 58-1 after a lengthy, highly partisan debate centered on the 14th Amendment and the Wong Kim Ark precedent. The session also included passage of AB 571, a CEQA exemption for the Southern California Veterans Cemetery at Gypsum Canyon, which was presented as a long-running bipartisan effort to create a final resting place for Orange County veterans.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Capital Projects and Bond Oversight Committee (2-19-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- c><00:20:44.400>
is your all's estimated increase is your all's estimated increase is probably - you're not growing at the best rate you're not growing at the best rate >> then<00:21:40.400
- <00:41:43.839>
of Their uh fund a loan increase of Their uh fund a loan increase of $750,000 - . interest rate of 2.75% interest and was interest rate of 2.75% interest and was approved<00:45:36.160
- <00:48:25.040>
of 20-year loan has an interest rate of 20-year loan has an interest rate of
Keywords:
0:00:02 Call to Order and Roll Call
0:00:30 Approval of Minutes
0:00:49 Information Items
0:01:54 Louisville Arena Authority
0:24:50 Project Rpt from Postsecondary Institutions - MSU
0:26:35 Project Rpt from Finance and Admin. Cabinet
0:37:52 Lease Rpt from Finance and Admin. Cabinet
0:40:13 Rpt from OFM – KIA
0:56:00 Rpt from OFM – EDF Grants
0:58:45 Rpt from OFM – OFM
1:01:46 Adjournment, 958, all
Summary:
The committee first handled routine business, including a roll call, approval of the prior meeting minutes, and a set of informational reports. Those reports covered University of Louisville research equipment purchases, a Kent County school district debt issue for elementary school renovations, the University of Kentucky’s planned use of construction management risk for a new engineering building, APA certification reports for underwriter and bond counsel selection committees, and a KCNA status report on infrastructure upgrades and purchases.
The main presentation was an informational update from the Louisville Arena Authority. Board representatives said the arena was created to drive economic development and reported about $1.4 billion in economic impact from 2010 to 2013. They explained the authority’s financial structure, including arena operating revenues, TIF revenues, debt service, and a long-term capital plan for major repairs and replacements. Members questioned the low net revenue figures, the long timeline before TIF revenues are projected to exceed debt service, the size of capital expenditure spikes, and the University of Louisville revenue-sharing arrangement. The authority said the $2.42 million annual UL payment is fixed under a 2017 refinancing agreement, while other amounts vary with ticket sales and related revenues. They also said the COVID-era state and Metro funds, combined with authority cash, were used to prepay debt and reduce interest, lowering the debt service schedule.
The committee then considered and approved a new capital project for a new HVAC system for the student wellness center pool area. The project, presented by university staff, was approved by the board and required committee action. The committee took a roll call vote, and the project passed unanimously.
Finally, Janice Thomas of the state budget office presented two tourism, arts, and heritage cabinet grid resilience projects at Kincaid Lake State Resort Park and Kentucky Down Village State Resort Park. Each project costs $7,834,600 and is funded mostly by a federal grid resilience grant, with the remainder from state utility infrastructure replacement funds and energy policy funds. Staff explained that the projects will move park electrical service ownership and maintenance to regional utilities, allowing the state to exit the infrastructure-management role while continuing to pay utility bills through normal metering. The committee approved the action item by voice vote.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee Nov 6th, 2025
Federal Funding Stabilization Subcommittee
Transcript Highlights:
- Will increase significantly starting next year.
- and the error rate cost.
- error rate changes.
- Rates and corrections officers in detention centers.
- increasing again.
MN
Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session
House Commerce Finance and Policy Committee 3/5/26
Commerce Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- 00:13:16.320>
is <00:13:16.560>set whole rate setting process is set whole rate setting - I'm I'm very increases every year.
- their rates and lower premiums. their rates and lower premiums.
- rate would have been much higher. rate would have been much higher.
- increase our viewership. I'm not sure. increase our viewership. I'm not sure.
Keywords:
HF3388, Minnesota premium security plan, reinsurance, health insurance, group health carriers, MCHA, MNsure, individual market, premium stabilization, carrier assessment, health insurance assessment, premium security plan account, state innovation waiver, high-risk pool, reinsurance payments, healthcare premiums, insurance carriers, deferral of assessment, financially impaired condition, HF400
Summary:
The committee approved the minutes from the prior day and then heard House File 400, a bill described as a defrayal measure for health insurance mandates. Representative Perryman said the bill would not block future mandates, but would require the state to pay the added costs of any new mandated benefits so those costs would not be shifted to premium payers. She and supporters framed the bill as a way to protect affordability for Minnesota employers, workers, and families, especially in the fully insured market.
Testimony in support came from the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce and the Minnesota Council of Health Plans. They argued that Minnesota has a high number of mandated benefits, that each new mandate adds cost to premiums, and that businesses—especially small and midsize employers—are already struggling with rising health insurance costs. The health plans representative said the bill would use the existing Commerce defrayal process to reimburse plans for eligible mandate-related claims, allowing those costs to be removed from premium rates. Several members echoed support, saying the bill would improve transparency by showing the fiscal impact of proposed mandates and help prevent people from being priced out of coverage.
Members also explored how mandates apply in the market and how premiums are set. Deputy Commissioner Julia Dryer explained that, unless otherwise specified, mandates generally apply to the individual, small group, and fully insured large group markets, while self-insured ERISA plans and other markets are generally outside that scope. Representative Elkins noted that the affected market is relatively small and said small businesses are increasingly moving to self-insured plans because of cost. He and others raised concerns about affordability, while Representative Smith argued that mandates often ensure needed care and that the bill shifts costs to taxpayers rather than insurers. Representative Bacham added a personal example from tribal self-insurance, saying preventive physicals had saved lives and asking whether other factors besides mandates are driving insurer costs. No amendments were offered, and the bill was laid over for possible future consideration.
KY
Kentucky 2025 Regular Session
Senate Standing Committee on Natural Resources & Energy (2-12-25)
Transcript Highlights:
- And would it be fair to say that the Mitchell Power Plant has substantially increased with the increased
- uh with the substantially increased uh with the increased<00:05:34.320>
demand <00:05:34.600>< - stabilize and lower rates, to reduce rate<00:09:32.400>
volatility, rate volatility, rate volatility - <00:24:31.600>
They our customers pay for in rates. They our customers pay for in rates. - provide stability in rates. provide stability in rates.
Keywords:
Meeting Start 00:00:00
Attendance Roll Call 00:01:28
Introduction of Guests 00:02:08
American Electric Power and Kentucky Power Presentation 00:03:31
SB 89 Discussion 00:53:55
SB 89 Roll Call Vote 01:07:46, 958, all
Summary:
The committee met for an initial natural resources hearing with a quorum present and introductory housekeeping, including prayer, roll call, and recognition of guests. Chair Smith outlined ground rules for questions and then invited Kentucky Power and American Electric Power representatives to the table to discuss a proposed plan involving the Mitchell Power Plant and future generation needs in Eastern Kentucky.
Witnesses Cindy Wiseman, Alex Vaughn, and AEP CEO Bill Fehrman said the company’s goals are to stabilize and lower rates, reduce rate volatility, and expand generation in the Commonwealth. They explained that Kentucky Power seeks legislative authority to securitize its 50% interest in the Mitchell coal plant, describing securitization as a refinancing mechanism that would lower annual plant costs by about $34 million and help offset roughly one-third of the expected cost of adding new generation in Kentucky. They emphasized that the proposal is not intended to close Mitchell, and said Kentucky Power currently has no plan to divest its interest; the company still needs the plant to serve customers while it pursues additional dispatchable generation in Kentucky.
Members pressed the witnesses on the plant’s book value versus fair market value, whether the Mitchell interest had ever been assigned a nominal value, how any divestiture proceeds would be handled, whether Kentucky Power owns Wheeling Power, and how long Mitchell can continue operating. The company said it values Mitchell at net book value for accounting purposes, not fair market value, and explained that Wheeling Power is a separate AEP affiliate and that West Virginia affiliates have already proposed securitization of their share. Witnesses said Kentucky Power’s interest cannot technically operate past 2028 without additional environmental control investment, while the West Virginia side is depreciating through 2040. They also described the financing timeline, saying securitization would require enactment of legislation, a PSC financing order, bond issuance, and then parallel work to acquire or build new generation, with any reinvestment terms to be addressed through the regulatory process.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Health and Human Services Nov 5th, 2025
Legislative Health & Human Services Committee
Transcript Highlights:
- This is a national rate between 2018 and 2023, and it increased by 280 percent.
- Look at the rate of increase—pretty substantial, pretty steep.
- for the immunization rate at our pharmacy.
- Well, they have a higher utilization rate.
- However, the department is looking in their request at a very slight increase. increase.
TX
Transcript Highlights:
- in state assessments, a high rate of chronic absenteeism, declining enrollment, and increased disciplinary
- This is an increase of $4,270 in one year, or a 6.3% increase.
- That increase by comparison was $2,970, or a 5.3% increase.
- And those are higher rates.
- rated C.
NH
New Hampshire 2026 Regular Session
House Finance Division III (02/20/2026)
Transcript Highlights:
- One by potentially later on having an increased error rate, which would penalize us in some format, and
- would<00:33:12.480>
um an increased error rate which would um an increased error rate which - the whole issue of error rate. Sure. the whole issue of error rate. Sure.
- all of us the future of the error rate? all of us the future of the error rate?
- the error rate is officially 7.57%. the error rate is officially 7.57%.
Summary:
The work session was limited to House Bill 1750, a supplemental appropriation for the Department of Health and Human Services’ SNAP administration. Before testimony, Representative Terski distributed a written statement from Representative Priest for the record. Department officials Karen Heert and Nathan White then walked the committee through a chart showing SNAP participation, federal benefit dollars, and state administrative costs, emphasizing that the benefits themselves do not flow through the state budget. They explained that the reported administrative cost includes overhead and cost-allocation methods used to maximize federal reimbursement, and that the current participant count is about 75,000 with the trend steady in recent years.
Members questioned whether the reported costs were stable, how much of the administrative expense was directly tied to SNAP, and whether reducing overhead would lower the need for the appropriation. The department said the cost per participant and per dollar distributed would be lower if SNAP were isolated, but that the broader allocation system also supports federal claiming across multiple programs. Officials said SNAP eligibility is redetermined every six months, that the department processes nearly 50 eligibility programs with about 250 field staff, roughly 70 unfunded positions, and a vacancy rate around 25%. They also said most errors in the program are unintentional and can come from either staff or participant mistakes, and that the department reviews errors to identify systemic fixes.
The committee discussed the fiscal impact of the bill and related budget issues. DHHS said the current adjusted authorization for 2026 is about $31 million, but actual spending is expected to be closer to $25–26 million because of vacancies and unfilled positions. Members asked whether the $4.4 million shortfall identified in the fiscal note would come from the rainy day fund; staff said it would not be taken directly from that fund, but would reduce the amount available to flow into it at the end of the biennium. The committee also reviewed Senate Bill 603 FN, which was described as an alternative approach that would require DHHS to transfer funds within its existing budget rather than provide new money; officials said it would simply codify an option the department already has. No vote or final action on House Bill 1750 was taken during the portion of the meeting provided.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
House Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy Committee 1/16/25
Workforce, Labor, and Economic Development Finance and Policy
Transcript Highlights:
- with Minnesota's High state tax rates with Minnesota's High state tax rates cost<00:04:34.960>
<00:07:18.000>- These increases, coupled with increased cost of doing business, discourage growth and impact specific
of increases and increase the standard of increases and increase the standard - Entrepreneurship Minnesota's tax rates Entrepreneurship Minnesota's tax rates have<00:08:38.039>
- they increase the problem they increase they increase the problem they increase the<00:59:10.000
Summary:
The committee’s first official meeting was framed as an informational session, with the chair saying no legislation would be acted on and that testimony would focus on what is working and not working for businesses and workers in Minnesota. The stated topics included earned sick and safe time, paid family and medical leave, labor shortages, and broader business climate concerns. The chair also noted the absence of DFL members and invited questions to be held until the end so testifiers could present fully.
Lauren Shodor of the Minnesota Chamber of Commerce argued that Minnesota’s business climate has worsened because of high taxes, rising costs, regulation, and new workplace mandates. She cited chamber survey and research findings saying more businesses are considering leaving the state, that Minnesota companies are investing more in other states than vice versa, and that the state lags national growth rates. She said employers are especially concerned about earned sick and safe time and the upcoming paid family and medical leave program, which the chamber believes add compliance burdens and costs, particularly for small and medium-sized businesses.
Matt Hilgart of the Association of Minnesota Counties said the new leave laws affect county budgets and operations because labor is the main county cost and services are often state-mandated. He said the programs were imposed outside the collective bargaining process and can duplicate existing county benefits, increase costs, and create staffing and service challenges. He asked for changes including clearer premium-sharing language, exclusion of elected officials and short-term election workers from paid leave requirements, better exemption and private-plan rules, coordination requirements for intermittent leave, and more clarity for essential employees during weather emergencies. Owen Worth of the League of Minnesota Cities said cities are facing similar implementation problems, with overlapping leave policies and concerns about stacking state and federal leave rules, and he indicated the league would support changes to reduce administrative and budget pressures on cities.
MN
Transcript Highlights:
- pain of significant property increase. pain of significant property increase.
- And overall, the real estate taxes generated, even at the lower tax rate, the housing tax rate, will
- ,<00:32:49.200>
will <00:32:49.440>be tax rate, the housing tax rate, will be tax rate - 37:12.400>
the than overcome by the increase in the than overcome by the increase in the value - So yes, the tax rate is previously.
MD
Transcript Highlights:
- They don't set the rates. The Public Service Commission sets the rates.
- They don't set the rates. They don't set the rates.
- He's more responsible for the increase in the rates and these utility bills than the people at BG&E.
- It says rates areru are utility rates.
- Thank you. increased to 179,000. increased to 179,000.
Summary:
The House convened with 117 members present, then 123 after a quorum call, and proceeded through routine introductions and referrals, including introductory House bills 959 through 1018, House Joint Resolution 8, House Simple Resolution 1, several Senate bills, and bond initiatives referred to Appropriations. The main floor item was House Bill 1, concerning investor-owned electric and gas utility cost recovery limitations, which was on third reading and final passage.
Debate on HB 1 focused on whether the bill would meaningfully lower utility bills and whether it was necessary given existing Public Service Commission authority. Supporters argued the bill would prevent ratepayers from bearing the cost of executive bonuses and other compensation above $250,000, saying utilities can still pay those costs from shareholder profits and that the measure would save money for customers, even if only modestly. Opponents argued the PSC already has authority to review executive compensation, warned the bill could be largely symbolic or misleading, and said it might encourage utilities to shift bonuses into base salaries or harm recruitment and service quality. Several members also argued the bill did not address other drivers of high bills, such as riders and program costs, and one member said the General Assembly itself was responsible for rising energy costs.
No final vote on HB 1 was shown in the transcript excerpt, but members on both sides stated their intended positions, with supporters urging a yes vote and opponents indicating they would vote no. The discussion ended with another member beginning remarks about taking on concentrated corporate power and standing with working people.
CA
California 2025-2026 Regular Session
Assembly Aging and Long-Term Care Committee Jun 24th, 2025
Aging and Long-Term Care
Transcript Highlights:
- And recently, there has been also an increase in users with mental health conditions.
- number of assisted living waiver participants have been seeing increases in their rates to unaffordable
- increases by medical assisted living providers.
- And what is the rate, what's the RC?
- So what we're talking about is the rate.
MN
Minnesota 2025 1st Special Session
Working Group on Omnibus Human Services Appropriations - 05/22/25
Minnesota Senate Floor Meeting
NH
New Hampshire 2025 Regular Session
House Education Funding (02/04/2025)
Transcript Highlights:
- Statewide rate of 1.12 Statewide rate of 1.12 and<01:32:55.679>
of <01:32:55.840>course - into a fixed rate into a fixed rate 2.5<01:33:09.159>
uh <01:33:09.360>it's <01:33: - So, is it correct then to understand that this proposal to increase the SWEEP rate does not in any way
- on we can even take on the increases on we can even take on the increases that<02:02:23.639>
- A half penny on that rate, which is why it looks so strange, the statewide rate.
Summary:
The Education Funding Committee met in executive session and first took up HB 193, which clarifies that dual and concurrent enrollment courses may not exceed four credits. Members said the bill came from the community college system and was intended to preserve the program’s high school-to-college pathway. An amendment changing the effective date to passage was adopted 18-0, and the committee then voted 18-0 to recommend OTPA on the bill as amended, with the bill placed on the consent calendar.
The committee then retained HB 295 and HB 366, both related to school building aid, after members said the issues were complex and needed more work. Both motions to retain passed 18-0, leaving the bills in committee without reports. The chair also said HB 354 would not be taken up that day because of possible changes from the Department of Education and others.
HB 494, funding the math learning communities program, was then amended to flat-fund the program rather than increase it, with members citing budget uncertainty. The amendment passed unanimously, and the committee then voted 18-0 for OTPA on the bill as amended, placing it on consent. Finally, HB 515, which would repeal charter public school eligibility for state school building aid, drew debate over whether charter schools should be treated differently from traditional public schools. The committee voted 10-8 for inexpedient to legislate, sending the bill to the regular calendar; Representative Damon was assigned the minority report and Representative Popovic the majority report. The committee then began HB 716, an appropriation for the dual and concurrent enrollment program, where members discussed flat-funding the program at $2.5 million per year and the potential impact on course availability, but the transcript cuts off before a final vote is shown.
NM
New Mexico 2025 Regular Session
IC - Legislative Finance Jun 26th, 2025
Transcript Highlights:
- Additionally, nationally, election technology costs are increasing.
- And provide a rate increase, actually more than that.
- Of, uh, going into that big increase that we have had on K-12.
- Are people, is our network increasing? Are people able to get doctors?
- The recidivism rates on those two are.
KY
Kentucky 2026 Regular Session
Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board (1-12-26)
Transcript Highlights:
- We know we haven’t increased those rates in 30 years, so why would we do a rebasing study on that when
- We know we haven't increased<00:21:37.520>
those <00:21:37.640>rates <00:21:37.800>in - <00:21:37.920>
30 <00:21:38.240>years, <00:21:38.600>so increased those rates - in 30 years, so increased those rates in 30 years, so why<00:21:39.400>
would <00:21:39.720>or <00:28:33.200>where rates are actually increasing or where rates are actually increasing
Summary:
The Medicaid Oversight and Advisory Board met on January 12, 2026, to approve the December 10, 2025 minutes and continue finalizing its findings and recommendations. Members reviewed findings on administrative inefficiencies, Medicaid and workforce participation under HR 1, Medicaid budget growth, rural health transformation fund development, and provider tax/state-directed payment changes. The board approved a motion to change “pilot” to “partnership” in the workforce-related recommendation, and also adopted a technical amendment clarifying overlapping HCBS services by removing reference to adult daycare waiver services and revising the language to focus on reducing duplication, simplifying provider contracting, and standardizing processes across programs. A separate technical correction was noted to change “DMS” to “DPH” in the rural health transformation finding, to be handled in the final edits.
Several findings drew discussion but no final substantive vote during the meeting. On the rural health transformation fund, Dr. Berg said Kentucky had done well in federal funding and noted limits on what could be shared publicly, while Commissioner Lee said a public website had been created and recommended the department reference be changed to the Department for Public Health. Finding five prompted extended discussion about provider taxes, state-directed payment reductions under HR 1, and whether the board should address the relationship between actuarial studies, MCO payments, and actual provider reimbursement more directly. Senator Meredith and others argued for a broader, more transparent baseline review of rates across provider groups, while Commissioner Lee said CMS will require certain fee schedule comparisons to Medicare beginning July 1, 2026, and that quarterly expenditure reports already go to LRC.
The board did not finish resolving finding five during the meeting and agreed to return to it after staff prepared more explicit language. Members also discussed the possibility of an all-payers claims database as a better way to understand what is being paid across payers and services. No final vote on the full findings package was taken in the portion of the meeting provided, but the board did adopt the noted amendments and continued working through the remaining language.