Video & Transcript Research : 'critical access hospitals'

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ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Joint Appropriations Jan 21st, 2026 at 12:30 pm

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • Normally, critical access The administrator at the hospital in Elgin.
  • The big dog in the room is, you know, you're a critical access hospital.
  • Care Center and Clinic, a critical access hospital located in Elgin.
  • access hospital-owned rural health clinics, and also the critical access hospital-owned rural health
  • Also the Critical Access Hospital-owned Rural Health Clinics.
Bills: HB1623
Summary: The committee first heard House Bill 1624, the “Universal Lunch Bill,” from Rep. Mike Nathie. He argued the proposal should be placed in Century Code rather than the Constitution so future legislatures can adjust it if state finances tighten, and said the bill would start the program a year earlier with a $65 million appropriation for one school year. DPI testified that the estimate did not include nonpublic schools that do not participate, and members questioned the impact on Title I, free-and-reduced applications, private-school accountability, breakfast mandates for schools that do not currently serve breakfast, and whether the funding could come from the DPI budget or other sources. Supporters, including North Dakota United, the North Dakota Catholic Conference, a pediatrician, and the American Heart Association, said universal meals improve student health and learning, reduce family costs, and are better handled in statute than by constitutional amendment. No opposition testimony was offered, and the chair closed the hearing for later work-session action. The committee then took up House Bill 1627, introduced by Rep. Tye Dressler, which would raise the income threshold for the state-funded school lunch program from 225% to 300% of poverty, with an estimated cost of about $7 million for 2026-27. Dressler said the bill is intended as a targeted, budget-friendly alternative to the ballot measure and emphasized that the state should maximize federal meal dollars while improving participation in the current program. Members questioned whether raising the threshold would actually increase utilization, whether a dollar amount would be clearer than a percentage, and how the change would affect federal reimbursements and application rates. DPI said it could quickly calculate additional percentage levels, and the chair closed the hearing, directing DPI to prepare more numbers for the work session. Finally, the committee opened Senate Bill 2403, presented by Sen. Schiable, to create a short-term bridge-loan program for financially distressed hospitals, centered on Jacobson Memorial Hospital in Elgin. The bill would authorize up to $5 million per loan, with a $10 million appropriation available on a first-come, first-served basis, and would run only through June 30, 2027. Schiable said the hospital’s debt and operating problems threaten local health care, ambulance service, and the community’s economy, and that the proposal was designed narrowly with Bank of North Dakota review to avoid creating a broad precedent. Committee members asked whether the appropriation could be reduced and whether the bank would still apply commercial feasibility and repayment standards; Schiable said yes, the bank would still evaluate the loan and could reject it if it was not sound.
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Joint Appropriations Jan 21st, 2026 at 10:30 am

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • And the number one problem we have is we know they don't have access to care.
  • I think a critical aspect, I'm sorry, I'm so dry, aspect is the workforce.
  • Each of these critical access hospitals were generating vast amounts of data.
  • access hospitals as a collective group and individually.
  • I think it’s going to be critical in the health care facility and space.”
Bills: HB1623
Summary: The committee heard House Bill 1623, the appropriations bill tied to North Dakota’s Rural Health Transformation Program, which is funded through a new federal rural health care grant. Senator Bekkedahl explained the bill’s background, the interim committee process that developed it, and the federal conditions attached to the award, including spending deadlines, administrative cost limits, and restrictions on uses such as new construction, supplanting existing funding, and certain other costs. Legislative staff then walked through the seven sections of the bill, including appropriation authority, transfer authority, contingent appropriations for pass-through grants, procurement and public improvement exemptions, recipient reporting, legislative reporting, and immediate effective date. Commissioner Traynor and HHS staff described how the department plans to implement the program, emphasizing that the funding is intended to improve rural access, workforce recruitment and retention, technology and data connectivity, and community health initiatives. They said the department will rely on local applications, technical assistance, templates, listening sessions, and partnerships with providers, schools, public health units, tribal entities, and other community groups. Members asked about reimbursement timing, upfront costs, administrative expenses, sustainability after the five-year grant period, and whether CTE centers, public health units, gyms, grocery stores, and other community partners could participate; the department said yes, within program rules and with a focus on measurable outcomes and sustainability. Several supporters testified in favor. Mental Health America of North Dakota and the Mental Health Advocacy Network supported the bill and urged investment in community-based mental health, crisis response, children’s services, peer support, and mobile crisis teams. HIA Health described the grant as a chance to expand home-based and hospice care, noting that rural providers already have workable models but need funding to scale them. A cybersecurity representative also supported the bill, warning that the large amount of health data and AI-related tools will require strong data protection and professional support. The hearing was closed with no opposition testimony, and the committee announced it would return later in the day for further work on the bill and other measures.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/04/2026 - Senate Health and Human Services

Health and Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • diseases under general supervision in counties with a population of fewer than 400,000 persons and at critical
  • access hospitals if specified conditions are met.
  • hospitals across rural Arizona, here in strong support of HB 2049.
  • And many of the patients are elderly and have limited access to transportation.
  • So radiation therapy now is accessible through the cloud, so we can access treatment plans.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/22/2026 - House Health & Human Services

Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • access hospitals and in counties with a population of less than 400,000.
  • And keep in mind, this only applies to counties fewer than 400,000 persons and critical access hospitals
  • , but as critical access, there are allowed.
  • One of the CEOs in Globe at one of the community hospitals, but as critical access, they're allowed to
  • This bill removes a critical barrier by ensuring families covered by access can access breastfeeding
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

House Floor Session Jan 23rd, 2026 at 09:00 am

North Dakota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • , support rural health care teams, and strengthen critical access hospitals.
  • , support rural health care teams, and strengthen critical access hospitals.
  • Critical access hospitals are not optional infrastructure in North Dakota. They are essential.
  • We are blessed, though, across the river to have a critical access hospital.
  • Most critical access hospitals have a 25-bed limit.
Summary: The North Dakota House convened in special session with prayer, roll call, and a quorum present, then took up several rural health-related bills. Senate Bill 2401, as amended, required physicians to complete one hour of continuing education in nutrition and metabolic health each renewal cycle and also added language allowing criminal history background checks for the Board of Occupational Therapy Practice. Supporters emphasized the role of nutrition in reducing chronic disease, and the bill passed 92-0. The House then considered Senate Bill 2402, which expanded pharmacists’ limited prescriptive and therapeutic substitution authority for certain low-acuity conditions and clarified related lab-test and communication requirements. Members discussed examples such as motion sickness, cold sores, lice, hypoglycemia, COVID and flu testing, emergency access to medications and supplies, and limits excluding certain drug classes; the bill passed 91-1. Senate Bill 2403 created a temporary medical facility emergency operating loan option through the Bank of North Dakota for qualifying rural hospitals facing severe financial distress, with extensive debate over the targeted nature of the aid, anti-gifting concerns, repayment terms, and the hospital’s turnaround plan; it passed 80-12. Senate Bill 2404 appropriated funds for NDIT to address federal digital accessibility requirements and for the Public Service Commission’s litigation efforts related to transmission costs, with a backup loan authorization available if needed; it passed 92-0. At the close of the session, leaders thanked members and staff for their work on the rural health transformation package, a committee notified the Governor and the Senate that the House had completed its business, absent members were excused, and the House adjourned sine die.
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

House Floor Session Jan 21st, 2026 at 08:30 am

North Dakota House Floor Meeting

Summary: The North Dakota House convened in special session with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the reading of communications from the Secretary of State and Governor Kelly Armstrong certifying the special session call. The governor’s executive order said the session was called to act on funding for the Rural Health Transformation Program so the state could accept and appropriate federal funds and avoid interruptions to government services. Three new members, Representatives McNally, Scraw, and Timmons, were sworn in, and the roll showed 91 members present, establishing a quorum. The main business was a Rules Committee report outlining temporary special-session rules. The changes were designed to speed up floor action, including allowing second reading the same day a bill is reported from committee, final passage one day after first reading, and immediate transmission to the other chamber unless reconsideration is noticed. The report also replaced the regular standing committee structure with two joint committees: Joint Appropriations and Joint Policy, allowed remote testimony and remote member participation with approval, and limited bill introduction to Legislative Management-approved bills or bills approved by a two-thirds vote. Several deadline changes for resolutions and bill filing were also described, with some provisions delayed until the special session ends. The House adopted the Rules Committee report after a motion by Representative Bosch and no opposition. During announcements, the clerk listed the membership of the Joint Appropriations and Joint Policy committees, and the Highway Patrol announced safety sessions for legislators in the Rough Rider Room at 11 a.m. that day and the next day. The House then recessed until the joint session scheduled for 10 a.m. the following day.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Health Finance and Policy Committee 4/15/26

Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • And then, the existing rate add-on of 20% for critical access dental providers should be maintained.
  • access dental providers 20% for critical access dental providers should<00:03:38.080><c> be</c><00:03
  • </c><00:04:10.560><c> access</c> the stability of the critical access the stability of the critical access
  • ><c> their</c> critical access dental providers, their critical access dental providers, their their<
  • The Minnesota Hospital Association is committed to patient access to care.
Bills: HF4401, HF4466
AL

Alabama 2026 Regular Session

Alabama House County and Municipal Government Committee Mar 18th, 2026

County and Municipal Government

Transcript Highlights:
  • So,</c><00:30:24.080><c> the</c><00:30:24.240><c> area</c><00:30:24.520><c> around</c> Carraway Hospital
  • So, the area around Carraway Hospital.
  • &gt;&gt; accessible<00:44:29.080><c> to</c><00:44:29.920><c> people</c><00:44:30.280><c> that</c><00:
  • 44:30.480><c> may</c><00:44:30.640><c> not</c><00:44:31.040><c> could</c> &gt;&gt; accessible to people
  • that may not could &gt;&gt; accessible to people that may not could do<00:44:32.400><c> conventional
Bills: SB32, HB404, SB105, SB32, HB404, SB105
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/28/2026 - House Science & Technology

Science & Technology

Transcript Highlights:
  • or renewing a contract with a Chinese company with access to critical infrastructure.
  • Our critical infrastructure is.
  • or indirectly accessing critical infrastructure.
  • So I'll give you three really critical examples of devices that are going into critical infrastructure
  • Don't put these cameras that we know allow backdoor access into critical infrastructure on the front
HI

Hawaii 2026 Regular Session

CPC Public Hearing - Wed Apr 22, 2026 @ 2:00 PM HST

Consumer Protection & Commerce

Transcript Highlights:
  • We think people have access to mail-order pharmacies.
  • Now, we'd like to just kind of protect the access to a real pharmacist to counsel patients when it's
  • We think people have access to mail-order pharmacies.
  • Now, we'd like to just kind of protect the access to a real pharmacist to counsel patients when it's
  • Hawaii's critical infrastructure from foreign<00:23:07.679><c> influence.
Summary: The Committee on Consumer Protection and Commerce heard several Senate concurrent resolutions related to utilities, pharmacy access, critical infrastructure, and energy policy. STR 96 SD1 asked the Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to report on the progress of the Hawaii Electric Reliability Administrator; the PUC offered written comments and the measure later advanced as is. STR 109 SD1 urged the insurance commissioner to study expanding mail-order pharmacy use. Testimony was split: DCCA’s insurance division, HMSA, and the Hawaii Association of Health Plans supported the study, while Shipa and the Hawaii Pharmacist Association opposed it, arguing mail-order pharmacy is already available and that in-person pharmacist counseling should be preserved. The measure was ultimately deferred. The committee also heard STR 164 SD1 on protecting Hawaii’s critical infrastructure from foreign influence. Greenpeace Hawaii and 350 Hawaii strongly supported the resolution, framing it as a consumer protection and resilience measure tied to reducing dependence on imports and strengthening local food and energy systems. No opposition was presented, and the resolution was moved out as is. STR 172 SD1 HD1 directed the PUC to conduct a comprehensive analysis of ways to maximize cost reduction and minimize financial risk while meeting state goals. DCCA, the Hawaii State Energy Office, and the PUC offered comments, and Earthjustice supported the measure; it was also advanced as is. For STR 166 SD1, which concerns how the PUC should evaluate generational energy commitments, DCCA, the Hawaii State Energy Office, and the PUC provided comments, while 350 Hawaii, Greenpeace Hawaii, and others opposed any move toward LNG, arguing it would harm ratepayers and conflict with Hawaii’s renewable goals. After discussion, the committee amended the resolution to add language directing the PUC to evaluate any LNG or other imported-fuel proposal for its potential effects on or delays to the state’s renewable portfolio standards, including the 2045 deadline. The amended resolution then passed, and the committee adjourned.
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

03/24/2026 - Senate Appropriations, Transportation and Technology

Appropriations, Transportation and Technology

Transcript Highlights:
  • or contract with the People's Republic of China or a Chinese company that provides access to critical
  • The 2025 version of the report highlighted China's campaign to pre-position access on critical infrastructure
  • Families enrolled in Access represent half of all births in Arizona, yet many cannot access covered lactation
  • House Bill 2051 helps address this gap by ensuring families covered by Access can access breastfeeding
  • We know access is still unequal.
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Taxes Committee 3/25/25

Taxes

Transcript Highlights:
  • transferred credit is limited to the unused remaining portion of the credit, so transferability is a critical
  • for producers to graze on public access for producers to graze on public and<00:10:51.480><c> TNC</c
  • </c><00:21:25.960><c> um</c><00:21:26.159><c> across</c> as a tool is really critical um across as a
  • tool is really critical um across many<00:21:26.679><c> of</c><00:21:26.799><c> our</c><00:21:27.080>
  • </c> uh I like the idea of increasing access uh I like the idea of increasing access to<01:20:36.000>
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Health Finance and Policy Committee 4/8/26

Health Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • ><c> care</c><00:15:34.160><c> largely</c> now, access to fertility care largely now, access to fertility
  • </c><01:04:21.920><c> to</c> and age that we haven't had access to and age that we haven't had access
  • </c> what networks uh per people can access what networks uh per people can access and<01:22:58.639><
  • </c> people who are trying to access people who are trying to access long-term<01:30:32.000><c> care.
  • It establishes a rate methodology for critical access hospitals that convert to rural emergency hospitals
Bills: HF4609, HF4401
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Judiciary Feb 6th, 2026 at 04:24 pm

House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • hospitals, as well, for-profit-owned hospitals, as we define a hospital, so we have rehab hospitals,
  • hospitals.
  • Some hospital systems will have access coverage after tens of millions have been paid out of the hospital
  • And that is, while access to justice is critical, I think a lot of patients go through this process because
  • . ...of folks that can get access that are in the lower category of my understanding of hospitals or
Bills: HB99, HB49, HB164, SB30, SB43, SB50, SB136
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

Senate - Judiciary Feb 6th, 2026

House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • But for now, I think I was criticized for having a hard stop on the committee.
  • to and protects access to reproductive health care.
  • to and protects access to reproductive health care.
  • New Mexico is currently facing a critical shortage in OB-GYNs, as we all know, and reproductive health
  • The data that you're accessing, which is better and more timely data, is coming through two main sources
Bills: HB99, HB49, HB164, SB30, SB43, SB50, SB136
Summary: Senate Judiciary began by announcing that Senate Bill 136 would be rolled over because the sponsor was unavailable. The chair then addressed criticism from the floor over how a prior bill had been handled, defending the committee’s practice of using committee substitutes and amendments without waiting for a new version from council, and emphasizing his authority to set hard stops and limit debate when he believes discussion is repetitive or dilatory. Several members responded, with some supporting the chair’s approach and others arguing that contentious bills deserve more time and fuller committee vetting. The committee then heard Senate Bill 30, which would repeal New Mexico’s requirement that induced abortions be reported to the state registrar. The sponsors argued the reporting law is outdated, unnecessary for public health, and potentially dangerous because provider information can be disclosed under broader vital statistics statutes; supporters from the ACLU, League of Women Voters, Bold Futures, and NOW echoed privacy and safety concerns. Opponents argued the reporting requirement provides transparency and public health data. After debate, the committee approved SB 30 on a roll call vote. Next, the committee heard Senate Bill 43, a bipartisan measure to modernize the Adult Parole Board statute after a prior veto. The bill would update parole factors for life-sentenced inmates, authorize per diem and closed hearings, and prevent parole hearings from being scheduled on victims’ birth or death dates. It received support from corrections officials and victims’ advocates, and the committee passed it without objection. The final major item was Senate Bill 50, which would remove several statutory in-service training mandates for law enforcement and give the Standards and Training Council more flexibility to set curriculum. Supporters said the current requirements are outdated and too rigid; opponents warned the bill could weaken recurring training in domestic violence, sexual assault, crisis intervention, and other high-risk areas. A motion to table failed, and the committee ultimately passed SB 50 on a roll call vote, despite divided member views.
NM

New Mexico 2026 Regular Session

House - Judiciary Feb 6th, 2026

House Judiciary

Transcript Highlights:
  • hospitals as well, For-profit-owned hospitals, as we define a hospital, include rehab hospitals, behavioral
  • health hospitals, and acute care hospitals.
  • The hospitals are named. The hospitals are named.
  • Some hospital systems will have access coverage after tens of millions have been paid out of the hospital
  • And that is, while access to justice is critical, I think a lot of patients go through this process because
Bills: HB99, HB49, HB164, SB30, SB43, SB50, SB136
Summary: The committee first took up House Bill 99, which would make changes to the Medical Malpractice Act, especially around punitive damages. The chair and sponsor said the bill would not be voted on that day and that public comment would wait until Monday, when a fuller presentation and any recommended substitute would be considered. Dr. Brooke Baker, a physician-lawyer, gave a long presentation on physician wellness, malpractice stress, and the effect of litigation on staffing and burnout, while also discussing hospital ownership structures, private equity, and rural hospital vulnerability. She argued that punitive damages are often pled too broadly in New Mexico, that the amendment language was unclear about which entities would be capped, and that better oversight and internal quality systems—not punitive damages—are the better tools for addressing bad actors and unsafe care. Committee members from both sides asked extensive questions about the patient compensation fund, indemnification, corporate structures, the effect of caps on insurance and recruitment, and whether the bill would protect physicians’ personal assets. No vote was taken on HB 99, and the committee recessed before moving to the next bill. The committee then returned to House Bill 49, a public safety measure increasing penalties for felons who possess firearms. The sponsors and law enforcement witnesses said the bill is aimed narrowly at serious violent felons who are already prohibited from having guns, and that it would align state sentencing with federal law and give police and prosecutors a stronger tool against repeat violent offenders. An amendment was offered to narrow the bill further, add destructive devices, and make the offense a second-degree felony rather than escalating to first degree on repeat offenses. The amendment was adopted without opposition. Public testimony on HB 49 was largely opposed. The Law Office of the Public Defender argued the bill criminalizes possession without a new act of violence, that current law already punishes felon-in-possession conduct, and that New Mexico has repeatedly increased penalties without evidence of reduced gun crime. The ACLU of New Mexico also opposed the bill, saying increased penalties are not a proven deterrent. The transcript cuts off as additional online opposition testimony was beginning.
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget Apr 20th, 2026 at 04:30 pm

Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget

Transcript Highlights:
  • This is the hospital rural hospital rebuild program that we.
  • Had and so we've had five hospitals set out.
  • Reclassified 7 million in excess funds and appropriations to put back into those hospitals.
  • Members, what we're doing here is at first, we were going to build a new hospital down in Norman.
  • But I think again, if we're going to criticize votes being on the August ballot, we should also have
OK

Oklahoma 2026 Regular Session

Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget 2nd Revised Apr 20th, 2026 at 04:30 pm

Joint Committee on Appropriations and Budget

Transcript Highlights:
  • So, this bill reclassifies up to 50 million in excess funds to the University Hospital Authority.
  • appropriates to the Oklahoma State Department of Health to address gaps in funding for the rural hospital
  • Substance Abuse Services to address gaps in the project to replace the capacity of Griffith Memorial Hospital
  • This is Rural Economic Impact Grant Programs to address gaps in the critical water and wastewater projects