Brandon Shippy — Senator Brandon Shippy of District 9 introduced himself and presented House Bill 777, identifying the counties in his district and then deferring to Ms. Chopsky.
Brandon Shippy — Senator Shippy stated that he would not support the motion and elaborated that his opposition stems from concerns about the issue itself, including Medicaid expansion, managed care, and the broader direction toward socialized health care. He said the matter raises serious concerns for him and suggested the legislature needs tougher conversations about the state’s health care path. The sequence ends with his name being called during the roll call vote.
Mark Harris — Mark Harris first moves to send House Bill 777 to the Senate floor with a do pass recommendation, and shortly afterward is identified as the senior member who will take the gavel as the committee proceeds.
Mark Harris — Called during the roll call vote.
Camille Blaylock — Seconded the motion on House Bill 777.
Camille Blaylock — Said she is struggling to understand the design pillars and asked whether the committee or the department makes the decisions.
Camille Blaylock — Is called on to make a motion on HCR 30.
Camille Blaylock — Moved to send HCR 30 to the floor with a due pass recommendation and spoke to the motion.
Camille Blaylock — Argued that an independent consultant is wise and worth the cost given the size of the contract.
Camille Blaylock — Voted aye on the motion.
Melissa Wintrow — Melissa Wintrow is addressed as the committee turns to approving the minutes, and she then moves to approve the minutes from February 11, 2026.
Melissa Wintrow — Asked how much has been spent on House Bill 345 or the managed care transition.
Melissa Wintrow — Said she met the person being discussed and asked whether another bid is required for the $200,000 consultant contract.
Melissa Wintrow — She says the candidate seems bright and well qualified.
Melissa Wintrow — Addressed by Senator Van Orden in response to her question.
Melissa Wintrow — Expressed concern about the motion and noted she had already been consistent on this issue.
Melissa Wintrow — Said she could not support the motion because it may duplicate the consultant already hired by Health and Welfare and because of budget pressures in JFAC.
Melissa Wintrow — Continued opposing the motion, citing recent budget denials and concern about duplication.
Melissa Wintrow — Voted aye on the motion.
Julie VanOrden — Senator Julie VanOrden, Chair of the committee and representative of District 30, introduces herself and presents House Concurrent Resolution 30, explaining that it relates to Medicaid oversight.
Julie VanOrden — Responded that Health and Welfare hired a consultant for about $1.3 million and the panel is seeking $200,000 for its consultant.
Julie VanOrden — The person being discussed is identified as Senator Van Orden's consultant candidate.
Julie VanOrden — Explained that a bid was not required because the consultant is being hired internally.
Julie VanOrden — Explained that both the committee and the department are involved, with the committee providing oversight and feedback.
Julie VanOrden — Referred to respectfully as 'my chair.'
Julie VanOrden — Said the committee/task force work is daunting and tied the current effort to House Bill 345.
Julie VanOrden — Referenced as having explained the issue and the deadline.
Julie VanOrden — Voted aye on the motion.
consultant from Utah — Described as a former Utah Medicaid director with managed care experience and familiarity with Health and Welfare.
Josh Keyser — Senator Kaiser participated in the committee’s action on HCR 30 by seconding the motion to send it to the floor with a due pass recommendation and later voting aye on the motion.
the consultant — Senator Wintrow said she met the consultant and believed she would do a great job if hired.
Glenneda Zuiderveld — Senator Zuiderveld briefly explained that she would vote no, saying she had not planned to comment but felt the issue had become overly complicated and that the state was continuing down a path without enough serious discussion. Her name was then called during the roll-call vote.