Committee Summary for Senate Health and Human Services (02/12/2025)

Bill/Time	Type	Title	Sponsor
SB133 00:06:30.520 - 8:05:36 AM	Public Hearing	relative to the designation of emergency medical services performed by ambulance service providers as essential services.	McGough, Tim(R)[B+]2025
SB133 00:12:42.040 - 8:11:48 AM	Executive Session	relative to the designation of emergency medical services performed by ambulance service providers as essential services.	McGough, Tim(R)[B+]2025
SB256 2024-1453h 00:16:59.160 - 8:16:05 AM	Public Hearing	(New Title) establishing safety and care requirements for clinician-administered drugs.	McGough, Tim(R)[B+]2025
SB131 02:15:47.280 - 10:14:53 AM	Public Hearing	relative to long-term care eligibility and making an appropriation therefor.	Rochefort, David(R)[B-]2025
SB130 2024-0000s 02:43:16.399 - 10:42:22 AM	Public Hearing	(New Title) establishing a commission to study delivery models for emergency medical services in the state of New Hampshire.	Rochefort, David(R)[B-]2025
SB245 Not provided 02:58:57.760 - 10:58:03 AM	Public Hearing	prohibiting surprise ambulance billing and regulating ground ambulance reimbursement.	Prentiss, Suzanne(D)[F]2025
SB130 0273 03:28:20.680 - 11:27:26 AM	Executive Session	(New Title) establishing a commission to study delivery models for emergency medical services in the state of New Hampshire.	Rochefort, David(R)[B-]2025
SB122 Not provided 03:37:26.319 - 11:36:32 AM	Executive Session	relative to financial eligibility for the Medicare savings program.	Rosenwald, Cindy(D)[F]2025
SB126 Not provided 03:38:58.640 - 11:38:04 AM	Executive Session	relative to notice of changes to provider contracts.	Avard, Kevin(R)[B]2025
SB134 0211 03:43:47.000 - 11:42:53 AM	Executive Session	relative to work requirements under the state Medicaid program.	Pearl, Howard (R)[B]2025

SB133: Senator Tim McHugh, representing District 11 (Amherst, Milford, Wilton, Nashua) Support00:06:30.520 - 8:05:36 AM; Senator McHugh introduced Senate Bill 133, emphasizing the necessity of recognizing ambulance service providers as essential services within New Hampshire's statutes. He shared his background in EMS, having started his career with Rockingham Ambulance in Nashua and Manchester. He explained that the current statutory language uses the term 'first responder', which may not always accurately describe the first to arrive at a scene, as this can vary between law enforcement, firefighters, and EMS. He highlighted the importance of including 'ambulance service providers' in the definition of essential services, especially in critical situations where federal agencies assess the state's response capabilities. He mentioned that other states, like Texas, have already taken similar actions.
SB133: Keith Wilding, Director of the New Hampshire Technical Institute Paramedic Program Support00:10:23.560 - 8:09:29 AM; Keith Wilding supported Senate Bill 133, stressing the need to clarify the status of ambulance service providers as essential services. As a paramedic with 25 years of experience and department chair at NHTI, he discussed how the current RSA language is vague and could exclude private ambulance services, which are not always fire-based. He supported the bill's aim to explicitly include ambulance services as essential services, ensuring clarity and proper recognition within the state's emergency response framework.
SB133: Committee Support00:12:42.040 - 8:11:48 AM; The committee moved into an executive session and quickly voted to pass Senate Bill 133 with a motion to move it to consent. The discussion was brief, with the committee expressing appreciation for the EMS community's presence and work.
SB256 2024-1453h: Senator Tim McHugh, representing District 11 (Amherst, Milford, Wilton, Nashua) Support00:16:59.160 - 8:16:05 AM; Senator McHugh introduced Senate Bill 256, explaining its aim to address the issues of white bagging and brown bagging in the administration of clinician-administered drugs. He described brown bagging as patients receiving drugs at home and then taking them to the infusion center, which can lead to problems with time-sensitive and temperature-controlled medications. He highlighted white bagging, where drugs are sent directly to medical facilities, but noted the issues that arise when a patient's condition changes and the pre-sent drug cannot be used. He supported an amendment that adopts language from Minnesota, aiming to improve patient safety, clinical outcomes, and cost control by allowing billing at the lower pharmacy benefit rate even if administered in the hospital.
SB256 2024-1453h: Paula Rogers Support00:26:33.960 - 8:25:39 AM; Paula Rogers supported Senate Bill 256, emphasizing the bill's potential to address the strain in the healthcare system caused by white and brown bagging. She noted the shift of infusions from hospital settings to clinics and doctor's offices, driven by cost differences. She discussed the hospitals' concerns and the need for a system to address disruptions and ensure patients are not left without care. She praised the amendment for comprehensively addressing drug shipment and providing an appeals process for patients, urging the committee to consider the amended version.
SB256 2024-1453h: Kathy Bazarathumberg, Executive Vice President at New Hampshire Hospital Association Information Only00:32:45.320 - 8:31:51 AM; Kathy Bazarathumberg provided information about the New Hampshire Hospital Association's stance on white and brown bagging, without having seen the amendment. She highlighted the challenges faced by hospital pharmacy directors in managing white-bagged medications, including storage, inventory, and wastage when drugs cannot be used due to late arrivals or changes in patient conditions. She stated that the association believes brown bagging should be prohibited and white bagging should be limited to specific scenarios, such as when mutually agreed-upon standards are met and the decision is joint between provider and payer. She requested time to review the amendment before providing further feedback.
SB256 2024-1453h: Tanya Carlton, Immediate Past President of the New Hampshire Society of Health System Pharmacists Support00:35:57.480 - 8:35:03 AM; Tanya Carlton, a practicing pharmacist in New Hampshire with over 20 years of experience across multiple healthcare systems, expressed support for the bill but noted that they had not reviewed the amendment. She highlighted the issue of 'white bagging,' a practice she believes does not go far enough in the original legislation. Carlton shared concerns about white bagging, including logistical issues and the wastage of expensive medications, such as during the IVIG shortage. She emphasized the importance of preventing such waste and ensuring patient safety through better medication management practices. Carlton suggested looking into model legislation from the American Society of Health System Pharmacists to address these concerns effectively.
SB256 2024-1453h: Representative Julie Miles, Hillsborough County 12 District, representing the town of Marlow Support00:42:28.000 - 8:41:34 AM; Representative Julie Miles, a registered nurse with over 25 years of experience, expressed strong support for the bill. She emphasized the critical nature of timely and safe drug administration in clinical settings, sharing a personal story about a family member's struggle with breast cancer treatment delays. Miles advocated for aligning New Hampshire's practices with successful models from Massachusetts and Maine, which have shown improvements in patient outcomes and cost efficiencies. She stressed that the bill would prevent health maintenance organizations from requiring pharmacies to dispense drugs for patient transport, thus reducing barriers to care and enhancing patient safety.
SB256 2024-1453h: John Reynolds, State Director for the National Federation of Independent Business in New Hampshire Support00:50:05.720 - 8:49:11 AM; John Reynolds, representing small businesses in New Hampshire, supported the bill, highlighting the importance of healthcare costs for small businesses. He noted that healthcare coverage has consistently been a top issue for their members. Reynolds supported Senator McHugh's amendment, believing it would deliver higher value by eliminating wasteful practices and ensuring timely drug delivery. He also mentioned a study by the Employee Benefit Research Institute that found clinician-administered drugs to be more costly in hospital settings, further supporting the amendment's potential to guard against higher costs.
SB256 2024-1453h: DJ Bettencourt, Commissioner of the New Hampshire Insurance Department Information Only00:53:34.640 - 8:52:40 AM; DJ Bettencourt, joined by Dr. Jason Ayers, Director of Data Analytics, provided an overview of the department's perspective on the bill. He acknowledged the amendment as an improvement but expressed concerns about legislation that might impede patient access to lower-cost alternatives. Bettencourt highlighted a potential issue with the amendment's language regarding reimbursement and suggested tweaks to better capture the intent. He also discussed concerns about curtailing brown bagging, viewing it as a cost-effective option for patients, and stressed the importance of choice in a free market system.
SB256 2024-1453h: Curtis Barry, representing the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association Oppose00:58:19.440 - 8:57:25 AM; Curtis Barry, representing the Pharmaceutical Care Management Association, opposed the bill as introduced but acknowledged the amendment as a fix. He focused on the role of PBMs in keeping prescription drug costs low and criticized the original bill's language regarding hospital reimbursement and the use of preferred provider networks. Barry provided studies and state employee plan documents to illustrate the cost differences between hospital and other settings for infused drugs. He expressed comfort with the amendment presented by Senator McHugh, indicating it addressed his concerns.
SB256 2024-1453h: Carolyn Virtue, Granite Case Management Support01:06:04.160 - 9:05:10 AM; Carolyn Virtue from Granite Case Management spoke in support of SB256. She highlighted issues with the Medical Eligibility Assessment (MEA) process, particularly how the current system fails to account for the use of equipment and assistance in daily activities. She provided examples of participants who were deemed independent despite needing significant help, leading to appeals and delays in care. She also criticized the lack of transparency and accountability in the decision-making process by the Department of Health and Human Services, suggesting that a physician's involvement could improve the accuracy of eligibility determinations. She stressed the urgency of addressing these issues due to real harm being caused to participants.
SB256 2024-1453h: Cheryl Steinberg, New Hampshire Legal Assistance Support01:21:28.199 - 9:20:34 AM; Cheryl Steinberg, Director of the Justice Aging Project at New Hampshire Legal Assistance, supported the bill's effort to rectify issues with the Choices for Independence clinical eligibility redetermination process. She pointed out significant problems, including flawed assessments, lack of proper medical records, and unclear decision-making processes within the Department. Steinberg provided examples of cases where participants were wrongly deemed ineligible despite long-term conditions. She suggested working on amendments to make the bill more effective and mentioned ongoing discussions with the Department to address these issues.
SB256 2024-1453h: Henry Litman, State's Medicaid Director Oppose01:32:15.520 - 9:31:21 AM; Henry Litman, the State's Medicaid Director, opposed the bill but acknowledged the need for process improvement. He emphasized the importance of obtaining a complete record for eligibility determinations and noted that the department has made efforts to extend timeframes and improve transparency. He mentioned ongoing work with stakeholders to find a solution that works for everyone, suggesting that policy choices could be presented to make the process better.
SB256 2024-1453h: Melissa Hardy, Division Director for Long-Term Supports and Services Oppose01:37:42.080 - 9:36:48 AM; Melissa Hardy, Division Director for Long-Term Supports and Services, elaborated on the department's concerns with the bill, particularly regarding the definition of mobility and the involvement of primary care physicians in eligibility decisions. She discussed the operational challenges and unintended consequences of the proposed changes, advocating for improved processes to gather necessary information rather than adding bureaucratic steps. Hardy stressed the department's commitment to working with stakeholders to find a solution.
SB256 2024-1453h: Rosalie Yarau, CFI Case Manager, Granite Case Management Support01:51:29.560 - 9:50:35 AM; Rosalie Yarau, a CFI Case Manager at Granite Case Management, supported the bill, emphasizing the vulnerability of CFI participants who rely heavily on services such as emergency devices and meal deliveries. She discussed the challenges faced by participants with conditions that don't improve and the difficulties in the appeal process, especially for those without support. Yarau stressed the importance of a physician's involvement in the eligibility process to ensure proper care for these vulnerable individuals.
SB256 2024-1453h: Janine McGarvey, Registered Nurse, Eminence Home Care Support02:03:39.560 - 10:02:45 AM; Janine McGarvey, a registered nurse from Eminence Home Care, supported the bill, focusing on the need for skilled professionals to conduct assessments. She explained the complexity of assessing activities of daily living and the risks associated with improper assessments. McGarvey shared personal experiences, including her mother's case, to illustrate the importance of thorough and accurate assessments to ensure patient safety and appropriate care.
SB256 2024-1453h: Carrie Farmer, Administrator, Granite Case Management Support02:09:05.639 - 10:08:11 AM; Carrie Farmer, Administrator for Granite Case Management, supported the bill, calling for accountability in the system. She highlighted the high number of cases being bridged due to delays and the broader issue of over 25% of cases at risk. Farmer criticized the short duration of assessments and the lack of involvement of case management in the process with the contractor, a Sentra. She emphasized the need for legislative relief to improve the process and ensure proper care for participants.
SB131: Senator David Rochford, Senate District 1 Support02:15:47.280 - 10:14:53 AM; Senator David Rochford from Senate District 1 supported Senate Bill 131, which aims to create provisional eligibility for Medicaid applicants whose applications have been pending for 90 days. He highlighted the financial burden on nursing homes due to long delays in Medicaid approvals and described the bill as a bridge financing solution to ease the financial strain on these facilities. Rochford emphasized the policy's importance over the fiscal note and expressed willingness to work with Finance after committee review.
SB131: Senator Daryl Abbas, Senate District 22 Support02:24:18.160 - 10:23:24 AM; Senator Daryl Abbas from Senate District 22 supported Senate Bill 131, emphasizing its critical role in maintaining the long-term viability of nursing facilities. He discussed the cash flow issues faced by facilities due to delayed Medicaid reimbursements and the impact on their ability to pay vendors and retain staff. Abbas stressed the importance of the bill for the sustainability of care provided by these facilities.
SB131: Brendan Williams Support02:26:36.800 - 10:25:42 AM; Brendan Williams supported Senate Bill 131, commending the committee for sponsoring it. He explained how the bill would help nursing facilities manage financial burdens due to delayed Medicaid approvals. Williams highlighted the revolving fund as a bridge loan system that would not cost the state money in the long run. He also mentioned the bill's potential to alleviate hospital backlogs and improve the overall healthcare system.
SB131: Kathy Bizarro Thumberg, New Hampshire Hospital Association Support02:28:53.439 - 10:27:59 AM; Kathy Bizarro Thumberg, representing the New Hampshire Hospital Association, expressed support for Senate Bill 131. She highlighted that the bill is part of a broader initiative aimed at reducing barriers to patient transfers from hospital inpatient beds to more appropriate levels of care, such as long-term care facilities. She emphasized the importance of ensuring that patients receive the right level of care and that long-term care facilities receive necessary reimbursements. Bizarro Thumberg also mentioned a recent report by Ben Bradley that illustrated the issue of patients being stuck in hospital beds due to delays in Medicaid eligibility.
SB131: Kate Horan, New Hampshire Association of Counties Support02:30:57.520 - 10:30:03 AM; Kate Horan, representing the New Hampshire Association of Counties, supported Senate Bill 131. She noted the bill's significance for the 11 county nursing homes, particularly those in Senator Roachford's district. Horan appreciated the bill's non-mandatory nature and the flexibility it provides to nursing home administrators. She also valued the provision that counties will not be responsible for paying the non-federal share, recognizing the financial burden that this would otherwise place on counties.
SB131: Charles Pal, New Hampshire Healthcare Association Support02:32:16.479 - 10:31:22 AM; Charles Pal, representing the New Hampshire Healthcare Association and as the primary drafter of SB131, supported the bill. He detailed the collaborative effort with the Department of Health and Human Services and stressed the existential problem faced by facilities due to delays in Medicaid eligibility. Pal explained that under SB131, after a 90-day pending application, facilities can request provisional eligibility, and after 12 months, they must file for a special Medicaid representative to continue this eligibility. He also noted that the bill involves a revolving fund, ensuring fiscal responsibility by requiring repayment to the fund upon Medicaid approval or denial.
SB131: Chuck Crush, CEO and Administrator of Salem Haven Nursing and Rehab, Salem Support02:36:16.279 - 10:35:22 AM; Chuck Crush, CEO of Salem Haven Nursing and Rehab in Salem, expressed support for Senate Bill 131. He discussed the financial strain caused by delays in Medicaid eligibility, noting that his facility currently cares for 13 residents with pending Medicaid applications, representing nearly $800,000 in past due payments. Crush emphasized the importance of the bill in addressing the cash flow impact and ensuring the facility can continue to meet its operational costs and regulatory requirements. He acknowledged the efforts of the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and their partnership with Salem Haven.
SB131: David Choury, Deputy Medicaid Director Information Only02:39:27.960 - 10:38:33 AM; David Choury, Deputy Medicaid Director, provided information regarding the fiscal implications of SB131. He mentioned that a fiscal note was sent out and estimated that around 50 to 60% of nursing facilities might take advantage of the provisional eligibility opportunity, with a startup cost of about $20 million for a revolving fund. He explained that this fund would be reimbursed if Medicaid applications were approved, and that the bill could help prevent facilities from going bankrupt due to cash flow issues.
SB130 2024-0000s: David Roser, Senator from Senate District 1 Support02:43:16.399 - 10:42:22 AM; Senator David Roser from Senate District 1 introduced a replace all amendment to SB130, which aims to establish a commission to study the delivery models for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in New Hampshire. He highlighted the diversity of EMS services across the state and the need for a comprehensive understanding of what works in different regions. The amendment was proposed due to the acute and complex nature of EMS issues in his district, which spans from Romney to the Canadian border.
SB130 2024-0000s: Michael Sear, Chief at Tilton Northfield Fire District, representing New Hampshire Association of Fire Chiefs Support02:48:04.840 - 10:47:10 AM; Chief Michael Sear from Tilton Northfield Fire District, representing the New Hampshire Association of Fire Chiefs, along with Chief Ed Walker from Peterborough, supported stopping balance billing but emphasized the need for appropriate reimbursement from insurance companies. They noted that without proper reimbursement, the burden would fall on taxpayers or lead to reduced services. They also mentioned that establishing a statutory rate for ambulance services in New Hampshire could aid in negotiations with other insurers.
SB130 2024-0000s: Paula Rogers, representing America's Health Insurance Plans Information Only02:49:19.040 - 10:48:25 AM; Paula Rogers, representing America's Health Insurance Plans, discussed the ongoing discussions around EMS reimbursement and the establishment of a commission to study these issues. She expressed concerns about potential rate regulation that could impact managed care products and discourage contracting. Rogers highlighted the varying proposals for reimbursement rates, ranging from 325% of Medicare to 200%, and stressed the need for a compromise that all parties could accept. She also mentioned the importance of aligning prompt pay requirements for ambulance services.
SB130 2024-0000s: Sabrina Dunlap, Anthem Information Only02:53:27.200 - 10:52:33 AM; Sabrina Dunlap, Senior Director of Government Relations for Anthem, briefly addressed the committee, expressing interest in being part of discussions on the amendment. She mentioned Anthem's historical involvement in finding solutions to ambulance issues and indicated readiness to continue contributing to solutions.
SB130 2024-0000s: Michelle Heaton, New Hampshire Insurance Department Information Only02:54:59.080 - 10:54:05 AM; Michelle Heaton, Director of Life and Health at the New Hampshire Insurance Department, along with Alex Fil, presented broad terms on both SB130 and House Bill 316. They highlighted the primary issues of balanced billing and inadequate funding for ground ambulance services. Heaton outlined four principles for approaching solutions: ending balance billing, ensuring full cost reimbursement for ground ambulance services, avoiding cost shifts onto commercially insured consumers, and basing fee schedules on evidence. She referenced the ambulance summits in 2023 and the resulting cost study by PCG, which suggested a fee schedule at approximately 200% of the Medicare rate to cover costs.
SB245 Not provided: Suzanne Apprentice, State Senator from District 5 (Grafton, Sullivan, and Merrimack Counties) Support02:58:57.760 - 10:58:03 AM; Senator Suzanne Apprentice introduced Senate Bill 245, which she named the Emergency Medical Services No Surprises Billing and System Stabilization Act. She emphasized the bill's aim to prohibit balance billing and stabilize the EMS system through a reimbursement rate or process. Apprentice highlighted consumer protections, the complexities of EMS delivery across different counties, and the federal No Surprises Act's exemption of EMS. She proposed a reimbursement rate of 325% of Medicare or rates set by towns and cities, with a $100 co-pay cap, aligning with federal recommendations. She discussed the cost study from Senate Bill 407 and referenced other states' approaches to ambulance billing. Apprentice stressed the need for fair reimbursement from commercial insurers and mentioned ongoing efforts to support EMS education and address workforce issues.
SB245 Not provided: Ed Walker, Fire Chief Support03:10:31.080 - 11:09:37 AM; Ed Walker, a Fire Chief, supported Senate Bill 245, emphasizing the need to ensure that insurance companies pay their fair share without shifting costs to taxpayers. He highlighted the importance of the bill in light of studies from other states showing a decrease in EMS capacity and the potential for negative outcomes if the issue is not addressed. Walker stressed the importance of coming up with a system that ensures residents have access to emergency medical care when needed.
SB245 Not provided: Michelle Heaton, New Hampshire Insurance Department Information Only03:12:49.160 - 11:11:55 AM; Michelle Heaton from the New Hampshire Insurance Department discussed the fiscal impact of Senate Bill 245, mentioning a potential increase of $15 million in premiums and technical issues with the bill's language on prompt pay and clean claims. She suggested aligning the bill with existing prompt pay laws and clarified the need for identifying fully funded versus self-funded plans, noting potential conflicts with ERISA. Heaton stressed the importance of addressing these issues to ensure the bill's operational feasibility.
SB245 Not provided: Chris Kennedy, Centene and Better Health Plans Oppose03:16:44.439 - 11:15:50 AM; Chris Kennedy from Centene and Better Health Plans expressed opposition to Senate Bill 245, citing concerns over the proposed 325% Medicare rate floor without a cost-based analysis. He mentioned the recent cost study directed by the legislature and emphasized the potential unfairness of imposing additional costs on a small segment of the commercial population. Kennedy argued that setting such a high floor could disincentivize ambulance providers from joining networks and suggested that House Bill 316 might offer a more thoughtful approach to resolving the issue.
SB245 Not provided: Chris Dwaz, New Hampshire Ambulance Association, Hollis Support03:20:28.840 - 11:19:34 AM; Chris Dwaz, representing the New Hampshire Ambulance Association and residing in Hollis, expressed support for Senate Bill 245. He highlighted the bill's potential to end balance billing and protect consumers while addressing the revenue gap for ambulance providers. Dwaz mentioned other house bills addressing similar issues and praised Senate Bill 245 for its consumer protections, such as capping co-payments and prohibiting pre-authorizations for emergencies. He criticized the current reimbursement rates and emphasized the need for a solution that considers the actual collected balance billing amounts.
SB245 Not provided: Sabrina Dunlap, Anthem Oppose03:23:59.640 - 11:23:05 AM; Sabrina Dunlap, representing Anthem, opposed Senate Bill 245, citing concerns over its clarity in banning balance billing and its impact on benefit design. She worried that the bill's floor rate of 325% of Medicare could undermine managed care by incentivizing out-of-network services. Dunlap acknowledged the challenges facing ambulance providers but cautioned against the bill's approach, suggesting it places undue pressure on a small segment of the insurance market. She expressed willingness to continue discussions on the issue.
SB245 Not provided: Nathan Borland, New Hampshire Ambulance Association Oppose03:26:42.800 - 11:25:48 AM; Nathan Borland, a critical care paramedic and vice chair of the New Hampshire Ambulance Association, spoke against the referenced study on Senate Bill 245. He criticized the study as flawed, arguing that it only considered costs during a period when ambulance services were operating on a bare minimum budget, barely getting by. Borland emphasized that the study's numbers are not sustainable and do not reflect the actual financial strain on ambulance services, likening their situation to surviving on ramen noodles while needing a more substantial solution. He offered to answer any questions, indicating his willingness to provide further insight into the issue.
SB130 0273: Chair Information Only03:28:20.680 - 11:27:26 AM; The Chair managed the executive session, addressing the committee's actions on various bills, including Senate Bill 130. The session involved motions to pass bills and amendments, with specific attention to adding a representative from the insurance industry to a commission via Amendment 0273. The Chair facilitated discussions and voting on amendments and the underlying bills, ensuring clarity on procedures and amendments.
SB130 0273: Senator Avard Support03:30:06.840 - 11:29:12 AM; Senator Avard moved Amendment 0273 and supported adding a representative from the insurance industry to the commission involved with Senate Bill 130. He engaged in discussions about further amendments and the inclusion of other relevant departments, such as the Department of Insurance and the Department of Safety, showing his active involvement in refining the bill's details.
SB130 0273: Senator Long Support03:30:58.040 - 11:30:04 AM; Senator Long seconded motions and amendments during the executive session, including the motion to add a representative from the insurance industry to the commission involved with Senate Bill 130. He participated in discussions about the amendments, showing his agreement with the proposed changes.
SB130 0273: Senator Apprentice Support03:34:10.720 - 11:33:16 AM; Senator Apprentice seconded motions and amendments, including the motion to pass Senate Bill 130 as amended. He expressed support for adding a representative from the insurance industry to the commission and engaged in discussions about the bill's implications and further amendments.
SB130 0273: Senator Bazel Support03:34:55.920 - 11:34:01 AM; Senator Bazel seconded motions and amendments during the executive session, including the motion to pass Senate Bill 130 as amended. He supported the addition of a representative from the insurance industry to the commission and participated in discussions about the bill's amendments.
SB122 Not provided: Senator Apprentice Support03:37:26.319 - 11:36:32 AM; Senator Apprentice moved to pass Senate Bill 122, which deals with financial eligibility for the Medicaid Savings Program. He did not wish to speak further on the motion, indicating his support for the bill as it stands.
SB122 Not provided: Senator Bazel Support03:38:12.279 - 11:37:18 AM; Senator Bazel seconded the motion to pass Senate Bill 122. He also confirmed his support for the bill and thanked the Chair for the opportunity to speak, though he chose not to provide additional comments.
SB126 Not provided: Chair Information Only03:38:58.640 - 11:38:04 AM; The Chair facilitated the discussion and voting on Senate Bill 126, which relates to notice of changes to provider contracts. The session involved motions to find the bill inexpedient to legislate, indicating a lack of support for the bill moving forward.
SB126 Not provided: Senator Bazel Oppose03:39:51.680 - 11:38:57 AM; Senator Bazel moved to find Senate Bill 126 inexpedient to legislate, expressing his belief that the contracts between providers and hospitals are their own business and should not be legislated upon. He seconded motions related to the bill's disposition, indicating his opposition to the bill's passage.
SB134 0211: Chair Information Only03:43:47.000 - 11:42:53 AM; The Chair managed the executive session concerning Senate Bill 134, which involves work requirements under the state Medicaid program. The session included discussions and motions on Amendment 0211, with considerations about changing the effective date of the waiver to January 1, 2026.
SB134 0211: Senator Apprentice Oppose03:47:45.000 - 11:46:51 AM; Senator Apprentice opposed the passage of Senate Bill 134 as amended, citing concerns raised by the Department and testimony from Jake Barry of New Futures. He highlighted the potential loss of coverage for vulnerable individuals and the uncertainty of federal changes, expressing caution about the bill's implications and the need for further consideration.

Rochefort, David(Chairman)(R)[B-]2025	Avard, Kevin(V Chairman)(R)[B]2025	Birdsell, Regina(R)[B-]2025
Prentiss, Suzanne(D)[F]2025	Long, Pat(D)[F]2025