John Laird — Asked whether anti-fraud activities continue even without the report.
John Laird — Followed up on fraud staffing and then began a question about access to dental care.
John Laird — Described historic access problems with Medi-Cal dental providers in his county.
John Laird — Asked what the department can do about access barriers to Medi-Cal dental care.
John Laird — Asked about the CalAIM evaluation and whether it would help understand where the program is going this year.
John Laird — Closed by emphasizing the Legislature's desire for communication, understanding, and data to be partners in the process.
John Laird — Said the Legislature wants to be a partner and needs communication, understanding, and data.
John Laird — Requested timely responses and emphasized that communication helps the Legislature move through the process.
John Laird — Was thanked for his communication and responsiveness.
John Laird — Voted aye during the roll call.
John Laird — The chair announces that Senator Laird will speak next, and the transcript transitions to his follow-up on the prior exchange.
John Laird — Senator Jones welcomes the witness to California and asks about CalEnviroScreen and Prop 65 outcomes.
John Laird — John Laird moves to approve the appointment and forward it to the Senate floor for a full vote, and is then recorded as voting aye on the motion.
Eloise Reyes — Responded during quorum call; transcript appears to truncate her response to 'Quorum.'
Eloise Reyes — Voted aye on item 2C.
Eloise Reyes — Voted aye on item 2D.
Eloise Reyes — Voted aye on item 2E.
Eloise Reyes — Voted aye on item 3.
Eloise Reyes — Voted aye on the motion.
Eloise Reyes — Was identified as the first committee member to ask questions.
Eloise Reyes — Thanked the appointee, praised his commitment, and referenced a prior conversation about why he wants the job.
Eloise Reyes — Was thanked for reaching out and for the prior conversation about the appointment.
Eloise Reyes — Asked why the nominee wants the job and noted prior discussion of the appointment.
Eloise Reyes — Praised for her commitment to programs and Californians; thanked for the discussion.
Eloise Reyes — Voted aye during the roll call.
Eloise Reyes — Senator Eloise Reyes speaks in support of the agency’s role in serving the community and explains that CalEnviroScreen was important even before she served in the Assembly, particularly for understanding and communicating air quality impacts.
Eloise Reyes — Recorded as voting aye.
Tyler Sadwith — Tyler Sadwith opened by introducing himself as the nominee for Chief Deputy Director for Healthcare Programs at the California Department of Healthcare Services and describing his personal commitment to behavioral health and access to care. He explained that his motivation comes from early experience working in health care policy, including calling dual-eligible members about their access to services, which shaped his belief that health care access helps individuals and the broader economy. In response to senators’ questions, he discussed how hospital distress—especially in rural areas—has been worsened by Medicaid funding changes, and described department efforts to work with managed care plans to expedite payments to hospitals. He also affirmed his willingness to stay responsive to senators, including returning calls, and addressed how he would work with counties to prevent avoidable coverage losses during redeterminations and related policy changes.
Rosilicie Bogh — Referenced as having hospitals in their district that may be affected by the rural/urban designation issue.
Rosilicie Bogh — Mentioned indirectly as 'Senator Grove' in the source; likely a transcription error, but kept as written contextually questionable.
Vanessa Cahina — Vanessa Cahina of KP Public Affairs testified in support of Mr. Sadwith on behalf of CalPACE, praising his leadership and continuing her endorsement by noting the importance of his nomination in the context of major Medi-Cal changes and growing demand for community-based care.
Justin Garrett — Justin Garrett, speaking for the California State Association of Counties, testified in support of Mr. Sadwith. He emphasized that Sadwith is especially valuable during a period of major transformation in the state's behavioral health system, including ongoing Medi-Cal-related challenges.
Connie Delgado — Connie Delgado, speaking on behalf of the District Hospital Leadership Forum, testified in support of Mr. Sadwith and urged his appointment, saying their members look forward to collaborating with him in the future.
Jessica Moran — Testified on behalf of Pear Team in support of Mr. Sadowitz's appointment.
Katie Rodriguez — Testified in support of Tyler's confirmation on behalf of the California Association of Public Hospitals and Health Systems.
Farah McDade-Ting — Testified in strong support of Mr. Sadworth's appointment on behalf of the County Health Executives Association of California.
Amar Rashid — Testified in strong support of Mr. Sadwith's confirmation on behalf of the California County Behavioral Health Directors Association.
Mr. Sadwith — Supported for confirmation; described as an incredible partner for county behavioral health agencies.
Chris Thayer, PhD — Named as the governor's appointee for Item 1B, to serve as Director of the Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment.
Dr. Thayer — Welcomed to provide opening testimony for the OEHHA director appointment.
Dr. Thayer — Gave opening testimony describing his background and priorities if confirmed as OEHHA Director.
Dr. Thayer — Explained OEHHA's role, his priorities as director, and his commitment to integrity, transparency, and accountability.
Dr. Thayer — Responded that OEHHA's role is health assessment and that priority contaminants are informed by partner agencies and communities.
Dr. Thayer — Explained that some prioritization issues are outside OEHHA's lane and offered to elaborate on models in health characterization.
Dr. Thayer — Responded that health hazard assessments ideally use real data, often from animal toxicology or human studies.
Dr. Thayer — Support is expressed for Dr. Thayer’s confirmation as director of OEHHA, emphasizing her strong scientific background at the U.S. EPA, her integrity and transparency, and confidence in her leadership on PFAS contamination and other environmental health issues.
MS. [unidentified witness] — The witness says they have been there since May and describes the relationship as more complementary.
Susan Little — Identified herself as California Legislative Director for the Environmental Working Group and stated support for Dr. Thayer's confirmation.
Nancy B.R. Meyer — Nancy B.R. Meyer introduced herself as the director of program and policy for Breast Cancer Prevention Partners and continued by describing the organization as a national group working to reduce breast cancer risk.
Monique Limón — Monique Limón responded present during the quorum call and then voted aye on multiple consecutive agenda items, including items 2C, 2D, 2E, item 3, and the motion.