Committee Summary for Senate Finance (10/23/2025)

Gray, James(Chairman)(R)[C+]2024	Innis, Daniel(V Chairman)(R)[C+]2024	Carson, Sharon(R)[C]2024
Watters, David(D)[CT]2024	Birdsell, Regina(R)[C+]2024	Lang, Timothy(R)[C+]2024
Rosenwald, Cindy(D)[CT]2024	Pearl, Howard (R)[C+]2024

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB123 00:02:02.159 - 12:01:18 PM	Executive Session	requiring coverage of ear acupuncture as a treatment for substance misuse under the state Medicaid plan.	Sullivan, Victoria(R)

SB123: Committee Chair Information Only00:02:02.159 - 12:01:18 PM; The chair calls the committee meeting to order and discusses the referred bill SB 123 FN. They highlight budget challenges including a $50 million cut in health and human services, revenue shortfalls of 17-20 million plus 30 million behind this month, and $10 million allocated to AG and defense, creating a significant financial hole. The bill is estimated to cost between $1 and $5 million.
SB123: Senator (Unnamed) Oppose00:03:08.319 - 12:02:24 PM; The senator supports the ITL (Inexpedient to Legislate) motion. They reviewed the testimony, which lacked statistical evidence of effectiveness, and was primarily from acupuncturists and certified professionals. They note the bill's cost and absence of proof that it works.
SB123: Senator Oppose00:03:54.480 - 12:03:10 PM; The senator states that acupuncture is not covered under Medicaid. They consulted Dr. Ballard, who reviewed evidence on auricular acupuncture and found no change in evidence level—limited but not conclusive for Medicaid medical necessity. They do not support expanding Medicaid for this, as statistical evidence for effectiveness and value at $1-5 million is lacking.
SB123: Senator (Unnamed) Information Only00:03:54.480 - 12:03:10 PM; The senator agrees with the previous points and questions if interim study would be better than ITL, given sponsors Senator Sullivan, Long, and Fenton. They suggest it would fit better in Health and Human Services, but note it already passed there and now finance is addressing the money aspect.
SB123: Committee Chair Oppose00:05:12.639 - 12:04:28 PM; The chair notes the bill passed Health and Human Services and offers to withdraw the ITL motion for interim study if desired, but supports ITL. They favor keeping it as ITL.
SB123: Senator Bertzell Oppose00:05:12.639 - 12:04:28 PM; Senator Bertzell seconds the ITL motion.
SB123: Senator Rosenol Oppose00:05:12.639 - 12:04:28 PM; Senator Rosenol supports the ITL motion.