Video & Transcript Research : 'rural health loan program'

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ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

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

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • It isn't an operating loan program.
  • Health Transformation Program.
  • The Rural Health Transformation Program.
  • , you know, in furthering rural health care.
  • and Human Services for the Federal Rural Health Transformation Program grant funds, which means we have
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:
  • To states for rural health care transformation.
  • The North Dakota Rural Health Transformation Program award in year one from the federal government was
  • health transformation program.
  • Can we help projects and programs in rural areas to do that with the public health units and the schools
  • rural area and to have programs then that take facilities in the rural area.
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.
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

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

North Dakota House Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • an estimated $3.9 million for the five-year rural health transformation program.
  • Team-based care is not theoretical in rural health. It is essential.
  • facilities infrastructure loan program as recommended by the Bank of North Dakota.
  • This whole special session has been revolved around rural health care.
  • health transformation, federal big beautiful bill, specifically rural health transformation.
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

Transcript Highlights:
  • The special session of the Legislative Assembly is convened to act on funding related to the Rural Health
  • Transformation Program.
  • Act on funding related to the Rural Health Transformation Program.
  • ensure North Dakota can swiftly accept and appropriate the federal funding to implement this vital program
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.
ND

North Dakota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Senate Appropriations - Human Resources Division Apr 15th, 2025 at 09:00 am

Appropriations - Human Resources Division

Transcript Highlights:
  • And then I think another change was to change human service centers to behavioral health clinics.
  • What's the word if they pay off the loan?
  • But anyway, so they would pay off that loan, and if not, then the state would, and we would have taken
  • up next session and see if we can, we would pay that loan off.
  • Because one of the concerns is starting a grant program, you know, starting a grant program because we
Bills: HB1012
Summary: The Senate Appropriations Human Services Division met to consider House Bill 1012, the Department of Human Services budget, and reviewed three previously made amendments: correcting a reference to $30 million underfunding, changing “human service centers” to “behavioral health clinics,” and revising section 31 language so the department would review medical assistance services and report findings and recommendations rather than directly implement adjustments. The committee also discussed whether to include funding related to two other bills with fiscal impacts, House Bill 1485 (personal needs allowance) and House Bill 2399 (PRTF reimbursement), noting those measures may go to conference committee and that appropriations could be added there instead of in HB 1012. The committee agreed to proceed with HB 1012 and members noted provider inflation questions would be raised later in full committee. The division then approved a due pass recommendation on the amendments to HB 1012 and, after a roll call vote, approved HB 1012 as amended on a 4-1 vote, with Senator Mathern voting no. Senator Davison was named as carrier. Members also discussed House Bill 1577, involving wastewater project financing and possible amendments related to a line of credit from the Bank of North Dakota for specific projects, and House Bill 1619, for which additional amendments were expected before full committee action. The meeting ended with general thanks and adjournment.
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Senate Floor Session Jan 23rd, 2026 at 08:30 am

North Dakota Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • House Bill 1621 is one of four policy bills introduced through the Rural Health Transformation Program
  • By adopting this policy, the Rural Health Transformation Program will be able to generate an additional
  • and Human Services for Federal Rural Health Transformation Program grant funds.
  • health loan program under the medical facility infrastructure loan fund, to provide an exemption, to
  • We were supposed to be focusing on health transformation, rural health transformation program.
Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, roll call, and a quorum present, then took up second reading and final passage of several House bills related to the Rural Health Transformation Program and other matters. House Bill 1621, requiring the presidential fitness test in school physical education with exceptions and a delayed effective date, passed 43-3. House Bill 1623, appropriating federal rural health transformation grant funds and creating a related loan program and reporting structure, passed 46-0 after extensive debate about using the federal money for community health, infrastructure, and sustainability. House Bill 1622, joining the physician assistant licensure compact, also passed unanimously 46-0. House Bill 1625, authorizing the Ray Richards Golf Course land sale to support a Grand Forks transportation project and golf course improvements, passed 46-0. House Bill 1626, clarifying that the primary residence credit is applied after the early payment discount so taxpayers receive the full $1,600 benefit, passed 40-6.
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

Senate Floor Session Jan 22nd, 2026 at 08:30 am

North Dakota Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • And so my original proposal during the rural health transformation work actually had an inclusion list
  • program under the medical facility infrastructure loan fund; to provide an appropriation; to provide
  • Dakota looks to amend the current medical facility infrastructure loan program rather than create a
  • new loan program.
  • Subsection 3 ...a new loan program. The bill draft we have is just that.
Summary: The Senate convened with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and a quorum present. It adopted the procedural employment committee report naming Senate staff for the special session. The chamber then took up several health-care and appropriations measures, first adopting amendments to Senate Bills 2401, 2402, and 2403 before moving them to final passage. Senate Bill 2401 passed 44-2 and requires physicians to complete at least one hour of continuing education in nutrition and metabolic health, part of a broader rural health care package. Senate Bill 2402 passed 46-0 after major amendments negotiated between the medical and pharmacy boards; as amended, it expands pharmacists’ prescriptive authority and therapeutic substitution in limited areas while excluding categories such as antidepressants, antipsychotics, chemotherapy agents, Schedule II drugs, biological products, and narrow therapeutic index drugs. Supporters said it would improve rural access and help secure rural health transformation funding, while questions focused on how pharmacist competence would be measured and enforced. Senate Bill 2403, also passed 46-0, creates a short-term medical facility emergency operating loan program through the Bank of North Dakota, reduced by amendment from $10 million to $5 million, to help a financially distressed rural hospital. Senators discussed the hospital’s mismanagement, the need for a bridge loan, and safeguards including a limited application window and expiration in 2027. Senate Bill 2404 passed 46-0 and provides supplemental appropriations to the Information Technology Department for ADA-related website accessibility compliance and to the Public Service Commission for additional legal costs in federal energy-rate litigation. The Senate then made announcements about a Highway Patrol safety presentation and filing deadlines, excused an absent member, and adjourned until the next morning.
ND

North Dakota 2026 1st Special Session

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

North Dakota Senate Floor Meeting

Transcript Highlights:
  • The special session of the Legislative Assembly is convened to act on funding related to the Rural Health
  • Transformation Program.
  • ensure North Dakota can swiftly accept and appropriate the federal funding to implement this vital program
Summary: The Senate convened in special session with prayer, the Pledge of Allegiance, and roll call establishing a quorum of 45 members present and two absent. The chamber received certification from the Secretary of State and the governor’s executive order calling the special session to address funding for the Rural Health Transformation Program and to act quickly to accept and appropriate federal funds. The main action was adoption of the procedural rules for the extraordinary session. Senator Klein explained the proposed rule changes, which were designed to speed up consideration of bills during the short session, including limits on bill introduction, same-day second reading and final passage, elimination of standing committees for the session, creation of a Joint Policy Committee and Joint Appropriations Committee, and authorization for remote testimony and limited remote participation. The procedural committee’s report on these rules was adopted without opposition. The Senate also adopted reports naming members to the Joint Policy Committee and Joint Appropriations Committee. Announcements noted that the Senate Employment Committee, Joint Policy Committee, and Joint Appropriations Committee would meet later that morning, that the Senate would not reconvene at 4 p.m., and that a Highway Patrol presentation on legislator safety would be held. The Senate then moved through the listed orders of business and recessed, planning to meet in joint session with the House before adjourning until Thursday, January 22, 2026.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Higher Education May 6th, 2025

Higher Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • and programs providing assistance with the repayment of student loans for eligible health care professionals
  • professional loan repayment program.
  • During the last biennium, the legislature appropriated million to the loan repayment program, a substantial
  • The Act maintains funding for the loan repayment program at the same levels as last year.
  • We were in hopes that by requiring the mental health professionals who participate in this program to
US
Transcript Highlights:
  • They doubled the amount of small-dollar loans, maintained a healthy 7-8 loan program, and ensured a 99
  • My responsibilities include managing two special loan programs, SBA and Student Loan Refinance, and I
  • And how do these differences affect the loan performance in the 7A loan program?
  • landscape is making for better programs for people on loan.
  • And the 7A loan program is healthy. Ninety-nine percent of loans are healthy.
Summary: The committee meeting focused on discussions regarding the SBA's 7A loan program and its implementation challenges. Members raised significant concerns about recent changes to the underwriting standards, which have been criticized for leading to an increase in loan defaults. Ranking members expressed a desire for a return to stronger guidelines to protect taxpayers and ensure the program remains a viable source for small businesses struggling to secure funding. Testimonies from community lenders highlighted their efforts to support underserved communities and stressed the importance of the Community Advantage Program.
AL

Alabama 2025 Regular Session

Alabama Senate Finance and Taxation Education Committee Apr 23rd, 2025

Finance and Taxation Education

Transcript Highlights:
  • It's a wonderful program.
  • repayment program. ...the state and the loan repayment program.
  • to develop accountability and an evaluation program for these students that are receiving these loans
  • Basically, where they got the loan from the program that we established a few years ago, and then they're
  • There was a program that we established three or four years ago that would provide loans for athletic
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

Hied Committee Meeting - 2025-04-21

Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • Line 29 is the loan repayment assistance program for attorneys, also known as LRAP.
  • Beginning on page 35, the next three sections all affect the self-loan program.
  • We know that rural health care is essential.
  • We need to address loan forgiveness programs and the elimination of the loan counseling program as well
  • Rural health research program—I don't know if I would consider. that a priority, given how tight our
Bills: HF2312
MN

Minnesota 2025-2026 Regular Session

House Higher Education Finance and Policy Committee 4/21/25

Higher Education Finance and Policy

Transcript Highlights:
  • elimination of the loan counseling program as well.
  • rural areas. regarding student loan payments.
  • Rural health research program, I don't know if I would consider that a priority given how tight our budget
  • Rural health research program, I don't know if I would consider that a priority given how tight our budget
  • Rural health research program, I don't know if I would consider that a priority given how tight our budget
Bills: HF2312
AZ

Arizona 2026 Regular Session

01/26/2026 - House Health & Human Services

Health & Human Services

Transcript Highlights:
  • health care transformation grant program.
  • This is the rural health care transformation grant program.
  • health care access and improve rural health care quality, these kinds of things.
  • Health Transformation Fund to receive federal monies through the Rural Health Transformation Program
  • Health Transformation Program.
TX

Texas 89th Regular

Veteran Affairs (Part I) May 15th, 2025

Veteran Affairs

Transcript Highlights:
  • Generally, the bill would transfer administration of the state's veterans' mental health programs from
  • It would establish a TVC grant program for community-based mental health services, and it would direct
  • programs for veterans.
  • programs for veterans.
  • crash course program in peer support.
Summary: The Senate Committee on Veteran Affairs heard several House bills related to veterans’ services, mental health, military leave, burial access, suicide data, and Veterans Month. House Bill 114 would transfer administration of certain veterans’ mental health initiatives from HHSC to the Texas Veterans Commission, create a TVC grant program for community-based mental health services, require a statewide veteran suicide prevention action plan, and mandate annual reporting. A committee substitute was mentioned, but members said they were not prepared to adopt it yet. No one testified for or against the bill, and it was left pending. House Bill 1965 would direct TVC to study ways to expand access to mental health services through the military veteran peer network, including increasing peer support coordinators, with emphasis on rural communities and broader use in veterans treatment courts. Support testimony came from the Texas VFW, which emphasized the value of peer-to-peer support and the network’s role in suicide prevention. The bill was left pending after testimony. House Bill 2513 would clarify military leave rules for state-employed firefighters by counting their 24-hour or 48-hour shifts appropriately so they do not have to use vacation time to fulfill military duty; a firefighters’ representative testified in support, and the bill was left pending. The committee also heard House Bill 1875, which would require the General Land Office and TVC to study veterans’ burial needs, access to cemeteries, and cemetery operational needs, and House Bill 39, which would require DSHS to provide TVC de-identified death certificate data when a veteran dies by suicide or homicide to improve understanding of veteran deaths. The Texas VFW supported HB 39. House Bill 1894 would designate November as Veterans Month in Texas. All of these bills were left pending, and members indicated they were waiting on committee substitutes before voting, with possible action later on the floor or in committee.
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

House Appropriations Committee, February 12, 2026 AM

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • Final bill this morning, House Bill 122, Wyoming Rural Health Transformation Program.
  • House Bill 122, Wyoming Rural Health Transformation Program.
  • Number two, the bill authorizes what we call the rural health transformation perpetuity.
  • Number two, the bill authorizes what we call the rural health transformation perpetuity.
  • Do we have a roll call on House Bill 122, Wyoming Rural Health Transformation Program?
Bills: HB0111, HB0112, HB0122
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

Senate Appropriations Committee, February 12, 2026

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • The first item on the agenda is Senate File 14, the literacy position for K-3 reading program.
  • The other one came through an amendment, and that was basically to set up, establish a grant program
  • The other one came through an amendment, and that was basically to set up, establish a grant program
  • The other one came through an amendment, and that was basically to set up, establish a grant program
  • Basically directed WID to stand up a grant program to look at backfilling the deficit only.
Bills: HB0111, HB0112, HB0122
WY

Wyoming 2026 Regular Session

House Appropriations Committee, February 12, 2026 PM 2

Appropriations

Transcript Highlights:
  • ,<01:35:26.000><c> or</c><01:35:26.239><c> safety</c> health, or safety health, or safety as<01:35:28.239
  • > what</c><01:46:21.199><c> we</c><01:46:21.440><c> were</c> health safety today, what we were health
  • I'll just say we'll health and safety.
  • This is targeted mitigation program.
  • And so that leaves rural subdivisions.
Bills: HB0111, HB0112, HB0122