Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee - Senate
Video
Transcript
1 document
Bills discussed (85)
| Bill | Title | Sponsor | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
|
SB444
Act 970
· 6 mentions in transcript, chapter, agenda
Matched: “Senate Bill 444 Kim Hammer, State Senator District 16. Uh, I'm gonna read t…”
|
TO AMEND THE MEDICAL ETHICS AND DIVERSITY ACT. | K. Hammer | Notification that SB444 is now Act 970 |
|
HB1255
Act 857
· 4 mentions in agenda, chapter, transcript
Matched: “…DEFINITION OF "PRACTICE OF DISPENSING HEARING INSTRUMENTS". HB1255 Wooldridge TO AMEND THE COVERAGE OF A CONTINUOUS GLUCOSE MO…”
|
TO AMEND THE COVERAGE OF A CONTINUOUS GLUCOSE MONITOR IN THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM. | Wooldridge | Notification that HB1255 is now Act 857 |
|
SB546
Act 935
· 4 mentions in transcript, agenda, chapter
Matched: “to present Senate Bill 546 1st, please. Sure, you recognized? Thank you. This is an ag…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE TRUST FUND CONTRIBUTION FEE FOR WATER PERMITS RELATED TO … | K. Hammer | Notification that SB546 is now Act 935 |
|
HB1004
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1004 Pilkington TO REQUIRE MEDICAID COVERAGE FOR POSTPARTUM MOTH…”
|
TO REQUIRE MEDICAID COVERAGE FOR POSTPARTUM MOTHERS FOR ONE YEAR AFTER GIVING BIRTH. | Pilkington | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1131
Act 959
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1131 Pilkington TO AUTHORIZE AN ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NUR…”
|
TO AUTHORIZE AN ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE TO DELEGATE CERTAIN TASKS TO MEDICAL ASSISTANTS AND … | Pilkington | Notification that HB1131 is now Act 959 |
|
HB1171
Act 625
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…AIN TASKS TO MEDICAL ASSISTANTS AND OTHER UNLICENSED STAFF. HB1171 K. Moore TO MODIFY THE MEDICAID PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CARE…”
|
TO MODIFY THE MEDICAID PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CARE ACT; AND TO AUTHORIZE AN ABBREVIATED INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT … | K. Moore | Notification that HB1171 is now Act 625 |
|
HB1185
Act 799
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…RD OF EXAMINERS IN SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY AND AUDIOLOGY. HB1185 L. Johnson TO ADOPT THE DIETITIAN LICENSURE COMPACT IN ARKA…”
|
TO ADOPT THE DIETITIAN LICENSURE COMPACT IN ARKANSAS. | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1185 is now Act 799 |
|
HB1186
Act 960
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1186 Vaught TO CREATE THE PAIN RELIEF PARITY ACT; AND TO REQUIRE…”
|
TO CREATE THE PAIN RELIEF PARITY ACT; AND TO REQUIRE PAIN RELIEF PARITY IN THE … | Vaught | Notification that HB1186 is now Act 960 |
|
HB1187
Act 858
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1187 Vaught TO AUTHORIZE A LICENSURE BY ENDORSEMENT FOR MARRIAGE…”
|
TO AUTHORIZE A LICENSURE BY ENDORSEMENT FOR MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS. | Vaught | Notification that HB1187 is now Act 858 |
|
HB1218
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1218 J. Mayberry TO CREATE LICENSURE FOR THERAPEUTIC RECREATION…”
|
TO CREATE LICENSURE FOR THERAPEUTIC RECREATION SPECIALISTS; AND TO CREATE THE THERAPEUTIC RECREATION PRACTICE ACT. | J. Mayberry | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1241
Act 568
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…ONTINUOUS GLUCOSE MONITOR IN THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM. HB1241 J. Mayberry TO ENSURE THAT THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM RE…”
|
TO ENSURE THAT THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM REIMBURSES FOR DENTAL AND ANESTHESIA COSTS FOR HIGH … | J. Mayberry | Notification that HB1241 is now Act 568 |
|
HB1251
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…SION TO BE AN ADVISORY COUNCIL TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. HB1251 L. Johnson TO ESTABLISH THE ARKANSAS ANESTHESIOLOGIST ASSIS…”
|
TO ESTABLISH THE ARKANSAS ANESTHESIOLOGIST ASSISTANT ACT; AND TO PROVIDE FOR LICENSURE OF ANESTHESIOLOGIST ASSISTANTS. | L. Johnson | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1252
Act 965
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1252 L. Johnson TO ESTABLISH THE CERTIFIED COMMUNITY-BASED DOULA…”
|
TO ESTABLISH THE CERTIFIED COMMUNITY-BASED DOULA CERTIFICATION ACT; AND TO CERTIFY BIRTH AND POSTPARTUM DOULAS … | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1252 is now Act 965 |
|
HB1285
Act 856
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1285 L. Johnson TO ESTABLISH AN EXEMPTION PROGRAM FOR AMBULANCE…”
|
TO ESTABLISH AN EXEMPTION PROGRAM FOR AMBULANCE SERVICE'S OPERATORS FOR CERTAIN HEALTHCARE SERVICES. | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1285 is now Act 856 |
|
HB1403
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…NEFICIARIES ENROLLED IN A RISK-BASED PROVIDER ORGANIZATION. HB1403 Pilkington TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS HEALTH AND OPPORTUNITY FOR…”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS HEALTH AND OPPORTUNITY FOR ME ACT OF 2021 TO ALLOW NONHOSPITAL … | Pilkington | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1428
Act 855
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…DIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. HB1428 Steimel TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING PUBLIC LODGING; AND TO P…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING PUBLIC LODGING; AND TO PROVIDE A BED HEIGHT REQUIREMENT FOR … | Steimel | Notification that HB1428 is now Act 855 |
|
HB1429
Act 854
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1429 M. Shepherd TO INCREASE ACCESSIBILITY WHILE ENSURING QUALIT…”
|
TO INCREASE ACCESSIBILITY WHILE ENSURING QUALITY FOR CERTAIN FACILITIES PERFORMING MAMMOGRAPHY SERVICES; AND TO AMEND … | M. Shepherd | Notification that HB1429 is now Act 854 |
|
HB1439
Act 853
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…NONHOSPITAL ENTITIES TO BE COMMUNITY BRIDGE ORGANIZATIONS. HB1439 Ladyman TO REMOVE THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS OF THE DEPARTME…”
|
TO REMOVE THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES FROM LICENSURE AS A … | Ladyman | Notification that HB1439 is now Act 853 |
|
HB1440
Act 629
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…OF HUMAN SERVICES FROM LICENSURE AS A PRIVATE CARE AGENCY. HB1440 Bentley TO AMEND THE MASSAGE THERAPY ACT; AND TO ESTABLISH…”
|
TO AMEND THE MASSAGE THERAPY ACT; AND TO ESTABLISH REGISTRATION FOR MASSAGE THERAPY ESTABLISHMENTS. | Bentley | Notification that HB1440 is now Act 629 |
|
HB1442
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1442 Achor TO SET RESTRICTIONS ON PHARMACY CONTRACTING AND CONFL…”
|
TO SET RESTRICTIONS ON PHARMACY CONTRACTING AND CONFLICTS OF INTEREST; AND TO ESTABLISH PHARMACEUTICAL PATIENT … | Achor | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1454
Act 674
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…ESTABLISH REGISTRATION FOR MASSAGE THERAPY ESTABLISHMENTS. HB1454 Bentley TO AMEND THE LAWS CONCERNING CRIMINAL HISTORY RECOR…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAWS CONCERNING CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORDS CHECKS FOR EMPLOYEES OF SERVICE PROVIDERS; TO … | Bentley | Notification that HB1454 is now Act 674 |
|
HB1458
Act 851
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1458 L. Johnson TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "CREDENTIALING INFORM…”
|
TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "CREDENTIALING INFORMATION" WHEN THE ARKANSAS STATE MEDICAL BOARD IS PROVIDING … | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1458 is now Act 851 |
|
HB1471
Act 966
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1471 Wooldridge TO AMEND THE EXPIRATION DATE OF ALL LICENSES OF…”
|
TO AMEND THE EXPIRATION DATE OF ALL LICENSES OF THE BOARD OF EXAMINERS IN SPEECH-LANGUAGE … | Wooldridge | Notification that HB1471 is now Act 966 |
|
HB1537
Act 850
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…RD IS PROVIDING INFORMATION TO CREDENTIALING ORGANIZATIONS. HB1537 Ladyman TO REPEAL THE LOCATION ACT FOR COMMUNITY HOMES FOR…”
|
TO REPEAL THE LOCATION ACT FOR COMMUNITY HOMES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. | Ladyman | Notification that HB1537 is now Act 850 |
|
HB1543
Act 631
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…O A PERSON WHO IS UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE. Page 4 of 5 HB1543 Underwood TO ESTABLISH THE WORKFORCE EXPERIENCE OPPORTUNITI…”
|
TO ESTABLISH THE WORKFORCE EXPERIENCE OPPORTUNITIES ACT OF 2025. | Underwood | Notification that HB1543 is now Act 631 |
|
HB1559
Act 632
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1559 McGrew TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO SEEK…”
|
TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO SEEK A WAIVER TO THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID … | McGrew | Notification that HB1559 is now Act 632 |
|
HB1576
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1576 Lundstrum TO PROHIBIT A SOLID WASTE LANDFILL TO BE PLACED O…”
|
TO PROHIBIT A SOLID WASTE LANDFILL TO BE PLACED OVER A KARST TOPOGRAPHY. | Lundstrum | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1582
Act 708
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…ESTABLISH THE SOCIAL WORK LICENSURE COMPACT IN THIS STATE. HB1582 McAlindon TO REQUIRE CERTAIN ACTIONS AND ENCOURAGE CERTAIN…”
|
TO REQUIRE CERTAIN ACTIONS AND ENCOURAGE CERTAIN ACTIONS FOR AN INDIVIDUAL TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR … | McAlindon | Notification that HB1582 is now Act 708 |
|
HB1585
Act 849
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…ULAS IN THIS STATE TO IMPROVE MATERNAL AND INFANT OUTCOMES. HB1585 L. Johnson TO PROVIDE AN EXCEPTION FROM LICENSURE AS A HOME…”
|
TO PROVIDE AN EXCEPTION FROM LICENSURE AS A HOME HEALTHCARE SERVICE TO AN ENTITY THAT … | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1585 is now Act 849 |
|
HB1622
Act 635
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…FOR BENEFITS UNDER THE DIVISION OF WORKFORCE SERVICES LAW. HB1622 Gramlich TO AMEND THE MEDICAID FAIRNESS ACT; TO MODIFY THE…”
|
TO AMEND THE MEDICAID FAIRNESS ACT; TO MODIFY THE DEFINITION OF "ADVERSE DECISION" UNDER THE … | Gramlich | Notification that HB1622 is now Act 635 |
|
HB1677
Act 637
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…ICENSURE BY ENDORSEMENT FOR MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS. HB1677 Bentley TO AUTHORIZE ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT PROGR…”
|
TO AUTHORIZE ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT PROGRAMS TO MAINTAIN EMERGENCY MEDICATION KITS. | Bentley | Notification that HB1677 is now Act 637 |
|
HB1679
Act 861
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…AND ANESTHESIA COSTS FOR HIGH COMPLEXITY ORAL HEALTH CARE. HB1679 M. Brown TO AMEND THE REVISED ARKANSAS ANATOMICAL GIFT ACT;…”
|
TO AMEND THE REVISED ARKANSAS ANATOMICAL GIFT ACT; TO ALLOW CERTAIN CLASSES OF PERSONS TO … | M. Brown | Notification that HB1679 is now Act 861 |
|
HB1712
Act 639
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…HERAPY SERVICES THAT ARE NOT REIMBURSED BY MEDICARE PART A. HB1712 Joey Carr TO ESTABLISH THE SOCIAL WORK LICENSURE COMPACT IN…”
|
TO ESTABLISH THE SOCIAL WORK LICENSURE COMPACT IN THIS STATE. | Joey Carr | Notification that HB1712 is now Act 639 |
|
HB1734
Act 862
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1734 Childress TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DEATH CERTIFICATES; A…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DEATH CERTIFICATES; AND TO CLARIFY THE MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS WHO MAY … | Childress | Notification that HB1734 is now Act 862 |
|
HB1751
Act 640
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…E TREATMENT PROGRAMS TO MAINTAIN EMERGENCY MEDICATION KITS. HB1751 Underwood TO REQUIRE AN APPLICANT FOR TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE…”
|
TO REQUIRE AN APPLICANT FOR TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES PROGRAM BENEFITS TO ENGAGE IN … | Underwood | Notification that HB1751 is now Act 640 |
|
HB1758
Act 641
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1758 Gramlich TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING HEARING INSTRUMENT DIS…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING HEARING INSTRUMENT DISPENSERS; AND TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "PRACTICE … | Gramlich | Notification that HB1758 is now Act 641 |
|
HB1767
Act 863
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…TABLISH THE WORKFORCE EXPERIENCE OPPORTUNITIES ACT OF 2025. HB1767 L. Johnson TO ABOLISH THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ADVISO…”
|
TO ABOLISH THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ADVISORY COUNCIL; AND TO CREATE THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES … | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1767 is now Act 863 |
|
HB1782
Act 642
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…TO REQUIRE CERTAIN REPORTING OF PROCUREMENT ORGANIZATIONS. HB1782 Hudson TO PROHIBIT OVER-THE-COUNTER DIET PILLS FROM BEING S…”
|
TO PROHIBIT OVER-THE-COUNTER DIET PILLS FROM BEING SOLD, TRANSFERRED, OR OTHERWISE FURNISHED TO A PERSON … | Hudson | Notification that HB1782 is now Act 642 |
|
HB1784
Act 864
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…SEARCH ACTIVITIES WHILE THE APPLICATION IS BEING PROCESSED. HB1784 Wardlaw TO MODIFY THE INFORMAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCESS F…”
|
TO MODIFY THE INFORMAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCESS FOR LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES. | Wardlaw | Notification that HB1784 is now Act 864 |
|
HB1801
Act 961
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1801 K. Moore TO AUTHORIZE AN OUTSOURCING FACILITY OF LEGEND DRU…”
|
TO AUTHORIZE AN OUTSOURCING FACILITY OF LEGEND DRUGS AND CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES THAT COMPOUNDS A PRODUCT … | K. Moore | Notification that HB1801 is now Act 961 |
|
HB1817
Act 865
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1817 L. Johnson TO ESTABLISH ELIJAH'S LAW IN ARKANSAS; AND TO RE…”
|
TO ESTABLISH ELIJAH'S LAW IN ARKANSAS; AND TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE … | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1817 is now Act 865 |
|
HB1840
Act 967
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1840 L. Johnson TO AMEND THE MEDICAID PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CAR…”
|
TO AMEND THE MEDICAID PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CARE ACT TO ENSURE THAT SEDATION DENTISTRY IS COVERED … | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1840 is now Act 967 |
|
HB1841
Act 1021
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HB1841 L. Johnson TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS REVENUE INVESTMENT IN VIT…”
|
TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS REVENUE INVESTMENT IN VITAL EMS SYSTEMS (ARRIVES) ACT; AND TO CREATE … | L. Johnson | Notification that HB1841 is now Act 1021 |
|
HCR1009
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “HCR1009 Ladyman TO COMPLY WITH ARKANSAS ACTS 2023, NO. 259; TO REQU…”
|
TO COMPLY WITH ARKANSAS ACTS 2023, NO. 259; TO REQUEST FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THE NEXT … | Ladyman | Approved by the Governor |
|
SB121
Act 968
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “SB121 C. Penzo TO AMEND THE AUTOMATIC OCCUPATIONAL LICENSURE FOR…”
|
TO AMEND THE AUTOMATIC OCCUPATIONAL LICENSURE FOR OUT-OF-STATE LICENSURE ACT; TO APPLY THE AUTOMATIC OCCUPATIONAL … | C. Penzo | Notification that SB121 is now Act 968 |
|
SB122
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “SB122 C. Penzo TO AMEND THE AUTOMATIC OCCUPATIONAL LICENSURE FOR…”
|
TO AMEND THE AUTOMATIC OCCUPATIONAL LICENSURE FOR OUT-OF-STATE LICENSURE ACT; TO APPLY THE AUTOMATIC OCCUPATIONAL … | C. Penzo | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB2
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “SB2 C. Penzo TO REPEAL THE STATEWIDE FLUORIDATION PROGRAM; AND…”
|
TO REPEAL THE STATEWIDE FLUORIDATION PROGRAM; AND TO REMOVE THE MANDATE FOR WATER SYSTEMS TO … | C. Penzo | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB217
Act 969
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “SB217 C. Penzo TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO REQ…”
|
TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO REQUEST A WAIVER TO EXCLUDE CANDY AND … | C. Penzo | Notification that SB217 is now Act 969 |
|
SB225
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “SB225 J. Scott TO REQUIRE THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM TO PROVID…”
|
TO REQUIRE THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM TO PROVIDE A CATEGORY FOR BENEFICIARIES WITH SICKLE CELL … | J. Scott | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB255
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “SB255 C. Penzo TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "DRUG" WITHIN THE FOOD,…”
|
TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "DRUG" WITHIN THE FOOD, DRUG, AND COSMETIC ACT; AND TO … | C. Penzo | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB262
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “SB262 C. Penzo TO AMEND THE CORPORATE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE DOCTRI…”
|
TO AMEND THE CORPORATE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE DOCTRINE; AND TO AUTHORIZE A LICENSED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL … | C. Penzo | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB269
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “SB269 C. Penzo TO AMEND THE REQUIREMENTS REGARDING LOCATIONS FOR…”
|
TO AMEND THE REQUIREMENTS REGARDING LOCATIONS FOR AND GEOGRAPHIC AREAS OF A HOSPICE AGENCY. | C. Penzo | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB289
· 2 mentions in transcript
Matched: “…y the medical ethics and Diversity Act of 2021, that it was Senate Bill 289. Most medical research is not completed as part of the spec…”
|
TO CUT THE STATEWIDE SALES TAX RATE BY ONE-EIGHTH PERCENT TO REDUCE THE SURPLUS FUNDS … | J. Dotson | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB311
Act 772
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “SB311 C. Penzo TO CREATE THE END ORGAN AND GENOMIC HARVESTING ACT…”
|
TO CREATE THE END ORGAN AND GENOMIC HARVESTING ACT; TO PROHIBIT COVERAGE OF CERTAIN HUMAN … | C. Penzo | Notification that SB311 is now Act 772 |
|
SB312
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “SB312 Stone TO REMOVE THE MORATORIUM ON THE CONSTRUCTION OR ADDIT…”
|
TO REMOVE THE MORATORIUM ON THE CONSTRUCTION OR ADDITION OF ANY ADDITIONAL BEDS WITHIN PSYCHIATRIC … | Stone | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB347
Act 1025
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…FOR WAIVERS; AND TO PROVIDE FOR ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES. SB347 C. Penzo TO REQUIRE THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM TO INCREA…”
|
TO REQUIRE THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM TO INCREASE REIMBURSEMENT RATES FOR CERTAIN DENTAL SERVICES AND … | C. Penzo | Notification that SB347 is now Act 1025 |
|
SB497
Act 655
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “SB497 D. Wallace TO REQUIRE THE CREATION OF A POSTER REGARDING VE…”
|
TO REQUIRE THE CREATION OF A POSTER REGARDING VETERANS' BENEFITS AND SERVICES; AND TO REQUIRE … | D. Wallace | Notification that SB497 is now Act 655 |
|
SB507
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “SB507 G. Leding TO REQUIRE THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM TO COVER…”
|
TO REQUIRE THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM TO COVER APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS SERVICES FOR CERTAIN BENEFICIARIES. | G. Leding | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB532
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…TS RELATED TO NONMUNICIPAL DOMESTIC SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS. SB532 Hester TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "SPECIALTY HOSPITAL" RELA…”
|
TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "SPECIALTY HOSPITAL" RELATING TO THE ASSESSMENT FEE ON HOSPITALS UNDER … | Hester | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB556
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “SB556 M. Johnson TO PROTECT PUBLIC DRINKING WATER SOURCES; AND TO…”
|
TO PROTECT PUBLIC DRINKING WATER SOURCES; AND TO PROHIBIT SURFACE DISCHARGE OF WASTEWATER INTO A … | M. Johnson | Sine Die adjournment |
|
SB557
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…SMENT FEE ON HOSPITALS UNDER THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM. SB557 M. Johnson TO AMENDS LAW CONCERNING WATER PERMITS AND DISCH…”
|
TO AMENDS LAW CONCERNING WATER PERMITS AND DISCHARGE OF WASTEWATER; TO AUTHORIZE DENIALS OF APPLICANTS … | M. Johnson | Sine Die adjournment |
|
SB560
Act 740
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “SB560 J. English TO DECREASE THE BASE CONTRIBUTION RATE; TO INCRE…”
|
TO DECREASE THE BASE CONTRIBUTION RATE; TO INCREASE THE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSESSMENT RATE; TO INCREASE FUNDING … | J. English | Notification that SB560 is now Act 740 |
|
SB576
Act 623
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “SB576 B. Davis TO AMEND THE COVERAGE OF CONTINUOUS GLUCOSE MONITO…”
|
TO AMEND THE COVERAGE OF CONTINUOUS GLUCOSE MONITORS WITHIN THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM. | B. Davis | Notification that SB576 is now Act 623 |
|
SB585
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “SB585 G. Leding TO REQUIRE CERTAIN RECORDS BE PROVIDED TO AN EMPL…”
|
TO REQUIRE CERTAIN RECORDS BE PROVIDED TO AN EMPLOYEE WHO IS A MINOR. | G. Leding | Died on House Calendar at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB587
· 2 mentions in agenda, chapter
Matched: “…k J. Love SPECIAL ORDER OF BUSINESS Number Sponsor Subtitle SB587 G. Leding TO CREATE THE PARENTS' PEACE OF MIND ACT; TO ESTA…”
|
TO CREATE THE PARENTS' PEACE OF MIND ACT; TO ESTABLISH AUTHORIZATION FOR AND USE OF … | G. Leding | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB589
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “SB589 C. Penzo TO CREATE THE 340B PROGRAM TRANSPARENCY ACT; AND T…”
|
TO CREATE THE 340B PROGRAM TRANSPARENCY ACT; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING TRANSPARENCY AND … | C. Penzo | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB591
Act 973
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “SB591 C. Penzo TO PROHIBIT RACE-SELECTION ABORTION IN THIS STATE;…”
|
TO PROHIBIT RACE-SELECTION ABORTION IN THIS STATE; AND TO CREATE THE RACE DISCRIMINATION BY ABORTION … | C. Penzo | Notification that SB591 is now Act 973 |
|
SB601
Act 971
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “SB601 Hester TO CREATE A PATHWAY FOR A GRADUATE OF A FOREIGN MEDI…”
|
TO CREATE A PATHWAY FOR A GRADUATE OF A FOREIGN MEDICAL SCHOOL TO BE LICENSED … | Hester | Notification that SB601 is now Act 971 |
|
SB603
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “SB603 C. Tucker TO REQUIRE AN AIR AMBULANCE TO CONTACT THE ARKANS…”
|
TO CREATE EMMA'S LAW; AND TO REQUIRE AN AIR AMBULANCE TO CONTACT THE ARKANSAS TRAUMA … | C. Tucker | Died in House at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB606
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “SB606 B. Davis TO AMEND THE USED TIRE RECYCLING AND ACCOUNTABILIT…”
|
TO AMEND THE USED TIRE RECYCLING AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT; TO CREATE THE TIRE MANAGEMENT AND … | B. Davis | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB95
· 2 mentions in chapter, agenda
Matched: “SB95 C. Penzo TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS ATHLETIC TRAINERS ACT; AND T…”
|
TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS ATHLETIC TRAINERS ACT; AND TO CLARIFY THE DEFINITION OF "ATHLETE" WITHIN … | C. Penzo | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
HB1225
Act 30
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “motion to accept the amendment on House Bill 1225.”
|
AN ACT FOR THE BLACK RIVER TECHNICAL COLLEGE APPROPRIATION FOR THE 2025-2026 FISCAL YEAR. | Joint Budget Committee | Notification that HB1225 is now Act 30 |
|
HB1456
Act 852
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1456 Rose TO AMEND THE STATE KIDNEY DISEASE COMMISSION TO BE AN…”
|
TO AMEND THE STATE KIDNEY DISEASE COMMISSION TO BE AN ADVISORY COUNCIL TO THE DEPARTMENT … | Rose | Notification that HB1456 is now Act 852 |
|
HB1523
Act 951
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1523 Vaught CONCERNING MISSING PERSONS ALERTS; TO CODIFY THE ARK…”
|
CONCERNING MISSING PERSONS ALERTS; TO CODIFY THE ARKANSAS AMBER ALERT SYSTEM; TO CODIFY THE ARKANSAS … | Vaught | Notification that HB1523 is now Act 951 |
|
HB1619
Act 634
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1619 Gramlich TO SET ADMINISTRATION FEES UNDER THE ARKANSAS MEDI…”
|
TO SET ADMINISTRATION FEES UNDER THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM FOR IMMUNIZATIONS AND MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES FOR … | Gramlich | Notification that HB1619 is now Act 634 |
|
HB1682
Act 942
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “HB1682 Puryear TO CREATE THE GOOD NEIGHBOR ACT; AND TO CLARIFY FOO…”
|
TO CREATE THE GOOD NEIGHBOR ACT; AND TO CLARIFY FOOD DONATION LIABILITY AND IMMUNITY. | Puryear | Notification that HB1682 is now Act 942 |
|
SB110
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB110 C. Penzo TO AUTHORIZE CERTIFIED NURSE AIDES OR CERTIFIED NU…”
|
TO AUTHORIZE CERTIFIED NURSE AIDES OR CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANTS WHO PROVIDE IN-HOME SERVICES TO BENEFICIARIES … | C. Penzo | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB12
· 1 mention in transcript
Matched: “Make a motion to accept the amendment. And on House of Senate Bill 12”
|
TO AMEND THE FREEDOM OF INFORMATION ACT OF 1967; AND TO AMEND ARKANSAS LAW CONCERNING … | B. King | Died in House Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB221
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…RTAIN ENERGY ISSUES. DEFERRED BILLS Number Sponsor Subtitle SB221 B. Davis TO PROHIBIT RISK-BASED PROVIDER ORGANIZATIONS FROM…”
|
TO PROHIBIT RISK-BASED PROVIDER ORGANIZATIONS FROM USING CERTAIN TYPES OF CONTRACTING PRACTICES WHEN CONTRACTING WITH … | B. Davis | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB273
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…OVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CARE ACT; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY. SB273 D. Wallace TO REQUIRE DIALYSIS CENTERS TO HAVE A BACKUP GEN…”
|
TO REQUIRE DIALYSIS CENTERS TO HAVE A BACKUP GENERATOR ON SITE. | D. Wallace | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB306
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB306 C. Penzo TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO APP…”
|
TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO APPLY FOR A HOME- AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES … | C. Penzo | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB474
· 1 mention in chapter
Matched: “SB474 C. Penzo TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS;…”
|
TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS; AND TO ALLOW THE BOARD OF A … | C. Penzo | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB542
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…EQUIRE DIALYSIS CENTERS TO HAVE A BACKUP GENERATOR ON SITE. SB542 B. Davis TO AMEND THE MEDICAID PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CARE…”
|
TO AMEND THE MEDICAID PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CARE ACT; TO IMPROVE THE ENROLLMENT AND SELECTION PROCESS … | B. Davis | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB543
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…GANIZATIONS; AND TO EMPOWER BENEFICIARIES WITH INFORMATION. SB543 B. Davis TO REQUIRE CERTAIN REIMBURSEMENT RATES FOR HOME- A…”
|
TO REQUIRE CERTAIN REIMBURSEMENT RATES FOR HOME- AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES WITHIN RISK-BASED PROVIDER ORGANIZATIONS. | B. Davis | Died in Senate Committee at Sine Die adjournment. |
|
SB598
Act 743
· 1 mention in agenda
Matched: “…Y- BASED SERVICES WITHIN RISK-BASED PROVIDER ORGANIZATIONS. SB598 J. English TO AMEND VARIOUS LAWS RELATED TO THE DIVISION OF…”
|
TO AMEND VARIOUS LAWS RELATED TO THE DIVISION OF WORKFORCE SERVICES; AND TO AMEND THE … | J. English | Notification that SB598 is now Act 743 |
Machine transcript
May contain errors. Verify important quotations against the official video.
About transcript accuracy
- Source
- SliQ live captions
- Model
- SliQ live ASR
- Processing date
- October 2, 2026
Senator Dave Wallace
Unverified
0:21
You go right ahead. were to be. And Senator Davis, tell
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
0:36
us which bill this is for. This is House Bill 1255 and I have an amendment, Brianne Davis State Senate District 25.
Senator Dave Wallace
Unverified
0:45
Senator Davis, we need you to sign it real quick.
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
1:05
It. Yeah. Just. 12 1255. You guys have already heard it uh and it passed out of committee. I've got an amendment to it.
Senator Dave Wallace
Unverified
1:29
And you are recognized. Thank you, Mr. Chair.
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
1:37
The amendment is pretty simple. Um, it just takes out three words. Um, on
page 2, line 6. Will you, well, hang on one
second. Thank you. It just strikes processes and paperwork, um, the reason for this is, uh, DMEs have a
different, um, prior authorization process, then pharmacies and so we just, we want to make sure that people are getting their supplies quickly, efficiently and so we want them to be consistent, but the process and the paperwork is a little bit different, um, between the two, so we're striking that language just to ensure that we don't hold anybody up. Happy to take any questions. Members, are there any questions?
Senator Dave Wallace
Unverified
2:39
See none. Is there anybody from the audience that would like to say For or against Seeing none. What is the will of the committee? I have a 1st and a 2nd, all in favor say aye, aye. Any opposed? Congratulations, your amendment is passed. Thank you. Yes, ma'am. humor, sir, you say you have a couple of yes, sir. Mr. She
Speaker 27
3:11
Mr. Chair, let me have a point of order because we needed to adopt the amendment. We didn't we adopt the amendment before we voted on the bill. So so yeah, but let, let us go, let's go back and adopt the amendment. So just to make sure that the process goes through quick uh correctly. So we need to
Speaker 29
3:34
motion. sending the menu. Well, members, we need to
Speaker 32
3:42
expunge this vote back up, start over Second, OK, all in
Senator Dave Wallace
Unverified
3:49
favor say aye. Any opposed? See none now let's start over. OK, I'll, I'll, I will, uh,
Speaker 27
3:56
Make a motion to accept the amendment. And on House of Senate Bill 12
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
4:02
on House at 1255. OK. have a 1st and 2nd, all in
Senator John Payton
Unverified
4:13
favor, say aye. In your polls say nay say none. Congratulations again
Senator John Payton
Unverified
4:25
All in favor say aye. Any opposed? See none. You and Senator hammer. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'd like
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
4:45
to present Senate Bill 546 1st, please. Sure, you recognized? Thank you. This is an agreed upon bill with ADQ worked with them for probably a couple months, and some of the folks that are in the industry dealing with domestic sewage treatment works, and I'll go through the bill and give you the high points. The first thing is that it addresses systems that would be placed within a 5 mile radius to determine that there is a
viable option for future hookups and it allows ADQ to be involved in that process to make sure that if there's viable option that that is being taken into consideration. The second thing it does is if you look over at page 4, it reduces the percentage from 10% down to 8% and not to exceed $100,000 and the reasoning behind this is there is a cap on this fund of $2.1 million and what is ending
up happening is you have a few that are actually contributing the vast majority toward that goal. It does not take the cap off the goal. It says at the same at 2.1, but what it does is it begins to levelize now that that fund is being used since it was originally set up, uh, because what was going to end up happening a few investors were going to make up the vast majority of the money in it, so those coming behind them would not have to contribute to it. So what this does is just adjust it
to what the reality is since the bill went into place, the other thing that I want you to know is as far as that fund being tapped, I think it was $20,000 is all the fund is growing expeditiously because they're able to invest the money back which is going into contributing to the growth of that fund as well, but there's very little that is being taken out of the fund, and this was this was originally established by one of our fellow House
members back when I was in the House and when it was started, they knew that there would be some adjustments that we need to occur after it actually started getting used and started happening, so this is the adjustment, as I said, ADQ is supportive of this bill, worked with them diligently over the last two months in order to get it to this product that they're they're agreeable to, and I'll be glad to answer any questions. Senator Payton, you're
Senator John Payton
Unverified
7:10
working on, sir. Thank you, Mr. Chair. I'm just curious about the 5 mile
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
7:18
moratorium radius. What's the reasoning on that? Uh, it's because there are some sewage treatment plants that are being put in with taking into consideration what's the cost going to be whenever expansion or growth expands out and being able to transfer from that sewage treatment plant into a municipality and all this does is allow for a review to be taken place. It doesn't stop. It doesn't. Require permitting. It's just putting a little bit of oversight to make sure that that
Senator John Payton
Unverified
7:49
is being taken into consideration. Well, I would think the division DEQ or whatever we call it these days, I
would think they have that authority already to take that into consideration. This says that they won't consider it within 5 miles. Now I think
Speaker 54
8:07
that's the, I, I read this this morning and that's how I read was kind of confusing. real quick. I mean, there's
Senator John Payton
Unverified
8:15
a couple of exemptions that says they can consider it within the
5 miles if it meets these criteria, but it starts off by But
Speaker 58
8:24
a moratorium within 5 miles. They shall not
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
8:27
consider application and if you drop down the line 29 where it says on the list, the division determines those are the two criteria for them to determine. You said if I would
Senator John Payton
Unverified
8:38
think they already have the authority to say yes or no, whether it's within 5 miles or outside of 5 miles,
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
8:44
but I was just curious what the reasoning was, but it's just a little bit of a, it's kind of getting it
above the radar screen a little bit more so that it's looked at a little bit harder. OK, thank you. And again they were, you know, they were factored into the decision. I don't know if they're in the room. I know they were down a state agency, but I don't know if they made it up into the room or not. Thank you so much. And I think if you look at me there, Senator Peyton. mind speaking.
Speaker 69
9:21
I think the directors coming up for. Hi, good morning. Bailey Taylor, DEQ director and chief administrator of
Senator John Payton
Unverified
9:41
environment. You know, Senator Peyton, you want to ask if the chair allows. I don't know if I'm still recognized, but we'll go until they stop us. Yeah, I was just looking for the explanation of why we needed to. To put the moratorium in place even with the two caveats that
Speaker 69
9:51
it can be overridden. Good. We don't currently have the authority to, um, dictate where a plant is
Speaker 71
10:03
located, we would just make sure that once the plant is located, that it is protective of human health and the environment with its discharge. So like the senator said, you know, if you have multiple private municipal or or non-municipal wastewater treatment plants located near
each other, um, it, it's an opportunity to look at
Senator John Payton
Unverified
10:26
regionalization. OK, so, so you're saying currently They can put one in without. DEQ's approval without permitting? No, no, sir.
Speaker 71
10:35
We don't have the authority to dictate whether or not they can put one in close to another existing facility. So you have
Senator John Payton
Unverified
10:43
to approve it if it meets other criteria, OK, thank you. Thank you. Are
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
10:49
there other questions from members of the committee?
See none. Is there anyone here to speak for or against this bill. There is not. You're recognized to close for your bill,
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
11:01
Senator Hammer. Thank you, Madam Chair. I think we've explained it thoroughly and would appreciate a good vote. OK,
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
11:07
what is the pleasure of the committee? Motion to pass 2. All those in favor say aye and opposed as habit,
Speaker 79
11:13
congratulations, you've passed your bill. Thank you, Madam Chair.
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
11:16
Thank you. possibility to run 444 while I'm sitting at the table. I've got a short presentation. Go ahead.
Senate Bill 444 Kim Hammer, State Senator District 16. Uh, I'm gonna read through what the bill does and I'll identify the lines by which it does it. If you want to take a look at page 1 line 22. Add medical research to the list of healthcare services covered by the medical ethics and Diversity Act of 2021, that it was Senate Bill 289. Most medical research is not completed as part of the specific patient's healthcare. Therefore, most medical research, which can be controversial at times isn't
currently protected. Instances of such include research on aborted fetuses or gain a function viruses. If you look at page 22, lines 25 through 27. This new language includes broad conscience protection regarding those three highly controversial procedures while all their health care conscience protections already exist in Arkansas. They are limited for some workers. This section ensures no healthcare worker has to participate in those procedures in any time. If
you look at page 4, lines 19 to page 5, 15. This is actually one of the most important sections of the entire bill and this on Senate Bill 444. This provides job safety protections for health care providers who are whistleblowers in turn this enhances patient safety, and we want you to think about those who are part of a gender. transition procedure therapies or other related services who want not to participate due to their belief. This would hurt children's body but didn't have the ability not to participate.
This is an effort to get ahead of an issue allowing healthcare workers to bring up their concerns, even if an employer does not recognize such objection healthcare worker is allowed to go to the government authorities to seek protection for any discrimination and then page 5, line 17 to the end of the bill. Part A, state board. and state agencies are not allowed to punish or retaliate against a health care provider for providers expression of protecting free speech unless such speech resulted in harm to the patient and then Part B
prohibits state boards or agencies to force a person to be a member of a particular pri private licensing agency, and that is the highlight of what the bill does, Madam Chair. I do have somebody who can come up and help answer questions if there
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
13:44
are questions, OK. Are there any questions from the members of
the committee? Any questions? Right. See none. Uh You
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
13:58
right, thank you, ma'am Chair. I think it's self-explanatory,
members, I'll be glad to get you a copy of this sheet there referred to and uh with that ma'am Chair, we just appreciate a good vote from the committee. Thank you.
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
14:08
What is the pleasure of the committee? Motion to Past 2nd. Any discussion? All those in favor say aye and opposed. I
have it, congratulations, you've passed your bill. Thank you, Madam Chair, members of the committee. Thank you, Senator Penzo. Uh, wait.
There's a, OK, we have a handout. That's correct. I believe there's a handout for your bill. Is that correct? 347 and then Senator, Senators, uh, 311 will also be special order. I failed to I accidentally left
that office special order. That's my, my fault. Um, but Um, let's do, uh, 340. Um
347, then we'll go to 587, then we'll go to 311. And here are some handouts, I
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
15:15
believe. 4347. the chair will allow I've got a few folks to bring up the table with me,
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
15:19
please, state your name for the record, and then please proceed. We'll try to expedite
things this way. OK, and they're fiscal impact is in the folder. Is that correct? That is correct. OK, so that's the green sheet. OK, so members, this also
in your packet is part of this bill. If you look, this green piece of paper. OK, you'll set your names for
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
15:44
the record, you may proceed. Pennzo, Senate District 31
Speaker 99
15:51
Springdale. OK. Billy Tarpley, Arkansas State Dental Association.
Speaker 101
15:56
Thank you Jason Haard, Conway, Arkansas pediatric dentist. Thank
Speaker 103
16:01
you. Aaron Baldwin, Hot Springs, Arkansas, Oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
16:05
Thank you. Uh, thank you committee and I'll,
I'll go ahead and let the experts talk, um this is uh was brought to me by a constituent initially, um, that's a pediatric dentist, um, and I was, I was shocked at the uh um rates that Medicaid reimburses for pediatric dentistry. The um it uh it's one of those situations that I dug into a lot dealing with the fluoride too,
uh, oral health outcomes in the state and I think, I think Medicaid reimbursements could be tied to
those poor oral health outcomes, um, and I'll, I'll let Mr. Tarpley. Go ahead. OK. Thank you, Madam Chair
Speaker 99
16:59
and thank you, Senator Penzo, bring your greetings from Doctor Terry Fiddler, who has been who's laid the groundwork to get us to the point where we are right now.
Unfortunately, this conflicted with a trip that he had already made. Otherwise, he would be here. Today you'll hear from 3 dental providers who will testify to the critical nature of this bill. Now I'm not a dentist, but if you'll allow a few brief observations, we can move on to the smart people. You're as tired of hearing this as I am. of saying it, but it's been 18 years since dentists have had a fee adjustment to the Medicaid fee schedule. Meantime, supply costs have increased. Inflation
has grown, and dentists have continued to serve the Medicaid population increasingly out of their own pockets. In deference to the overall cost of this ask, uh, the bill uses a graduated scale to implement the increase over 3 fiscal years using published fees from the National Dental Advisory. uh, fee, comprehensive fee report. The consent decree that was handed down from US District Court in 1994, established a legally binding agreement that
DHS keep payment rates at a level necessary to maintain a sufficient number of providers since 2014, 11 years ago, DHS has utilized rate reviews that have ultimately denied any increase to the fee schedule. The advent of managed care. 8 years ago, didn't help our cause to increase fees, and now, of course, we're back in the world of thief for service with yet another request for a fee adjustment to the core of the
dental association's concern is the survey of Medicaid dentists that was conducted in 2022, in which the following statistics stood out. 84% of the dentists that responded, there were 2 correction. There were 209 dentists who responded. So a good cross section, 84% of those indicated that they may have to stop treating Medicaid patients if rates remain unchanged of that same number, 80% said they will have to stop
or reduce treatment within 3 years if rates remained at current levels. We're now in the 3rd year of that survey and of the number of dentists that said the fees were adequate, that was only 3% of those who responded. The handout. But you have before you includes a table showing 10 of the most utilized procedure codes in Medicaid Dental. It further demonstrates how inadequate the current reimbursement rates are compared to the published fee report that's based on market
rates. So thank you again for the opportunity to present today, and Madam Chair, with your permission, I would ask that the committee hear from Dr. Aaron Baldwin, Dr. Jason Haver, and Doctor Mark Bailey, who have all prepared remarks within a brief time limit because we're aware of time constraints before we go to that,
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
20:01
I think I'm going to ask for questions real quick. Is that OK, Senator Love, you have a question. Thank
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
20:09
you. So I'm looking at, I'm looking at your chart right
here. Now, the, the, the numbers that you have in year 1, year 2, year 3, and I'm seeing the overall 100% impact are those is it current
Speaker 113
20:26
market rate right now. Actually, Senator, those numbers come from
Speaker 99
20:30
DHS. We saw this report yesterday. Uh, the numbers that that which is what we're asking for are going to be quite a bit more than that. That's a limited procedure codes. We're asking for fees on all the entire span of Medicaid
procedure codes to be increased in addition to that, increasing the cap on dental
Speaker 114
20:52
treatment for special needs adults. OK, so what I guess so
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
20:56
these you're asking for. Are you looking at this chart? Have you seen this
chart, I don't have that. I have it somewhere, but OK. I'm asking, so you, you said this is, this was provided by Medicaid and by, uh, DHS. So say for instance the
periodic oral exam established patient, right, so you're saying right now that's $26.20 for the reimbursement, right? Correct. So there's 11 year, 2, year 3. Are you saying that your numbers are going
Speaker 114
21:28
to be higher than these numbers? these numbers, the numbers for these codes that are listed here
Speaker 99
21:35
are more than likely correct, although they used the 2024 reports rather than the published 2025. But, but other than that, that these numbers are correct, but they're only
Speaker 102
21:47
correct for the limited number of procedure codes you see on this chart. OK,
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
21:52
but I guess my question is, are you asking for more than this. No, no, sir, as the procedure that's all I'm asking for. No, sir.
Speaker 113
22:01
I'm sure is correct on each procedure code that you see listed. What we're saying is they're far more procedure codes that I got that, but I'm just saying, OK, all right, thank you. Thank you,
Speaker 118
22:09
thank you, Madam Chair. Thank you. Um, OK, I'm gonna do
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
22:19
something and I apologize, but Senator English is here. I'm gonna just take a pause in this. She's the chairman of Education. I got to get her back. So, um, I apologize, but just stay where you are, just let Senator English come and we're gonna run her bill real quick. Uh, and, and just stay where you are, just let Senator Penzo and we'll let Senator English real quick run her bill, uh, because I got to get her back to Chairing education. Mr. Tarpley,
just stay where you are. Thank you.
OK, so Senator English, this is Senate Bill 560 members. Senate Bill 560. We did hear this bill last night, Senator, Senator English, state your name for the record and then please
Senator Jane English
Unverified
23:08
proceed on Senate Bill 560. Thank you, Senator Jane English. District 13, and I'm here to present the Senate Bill 560, which basically
Takes the unemployment insurance trust fund has a very large um Balloon. in really good shape and we would, it has a trust fund equal a little. program, uh, workforce training program and it has been receiving $2.5 million. So what we're proposing to do is just to move some of the trust fund unemployment insurance trust fund into that industry training
program trust fund up to $6 million a year. There would be absolutely no effect on employers. It's just moving, changing the percentage of money that goes in for
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
24:02
the um for the base. OK. Are there questions? members of the committee on this bill. Any questions? No questions. Clothes for your bill.
What's the pleasure of the committee motion to pass. 2. All those in favor say aye and
opposed, I have it. Thank you. Sender Penzo. Thank you. OK.
Senator Love, you had, you had any other questions? OK. So I have
a question for Mr. Tarpley real quick. Um, so
we're back, folks to 347. Um, these codes actually they're utilized not just by dentists. Is that correct? Senator, I don't
Speaker 99
24:45
know the answer to that question, but probably some of the topical fluoridation applications could be used by physicians because y'all changed the law to allow that. So
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
24:57
actually this, yeah, it does affect primary care and PD
pediatricians, correct. I just wanted to make sure I
was clear about that. OK, uh, now we'll hear testimony. Thank you for
Speaker 103
25:15
being patient and waiting. Thank you, uh, Aaron Baldwin again Hot Springs, um, just a quick uh background on myself. I'm a board certified oral and max facial surgeon in Hot Springs, uh, after completion of undergraduate school, uh, dental
school, medical school, and Or and masks and facial surgery residency. I made the decision to move back home to my hometown of Hot Springs in 2014, uh, where I've been a Medicaid provider for dental and medical since then. Uh, the scope of my practice includes dental extractions, implants, corrective jaw surgery, facial trauma and reconstruction management of severe head and neck infections, um. Uh, I also serve as the president for the Arkansas State
Society of Oral and Maxillofacial surgeons, um, and uh and Arkansas's delegate for the American Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons governing body as with all Medicaid providers, uh, we constantly encounter barriers to provide the much needed services for our patients. These barriers include uh time-consuming submissions for prior authorizations dealing
with down coding denials, uh, And uh For the authorization of these procedures, um, uh, this requires well-trained and well-paid staff to submit and go through the appeals process. This obviously increases our costs and ability to provide care in a timely manner. Exponentially compounding this problem is the lack of increase in fee schedules since 2007,
despite substantial inflation, most notably over the last few years. Yeah These problems in the Medicaid system, make the business model of providing care for Medicaid patients financially unreasonable and unsustainable. For example, Medicaid reimbursement for my most commonly utilized non-hospital based procedures, um, ranges from 32 to 44% of my fees, uh, an average overhead for a dental office is approximately
65%, uh, for an oral and maxillofacial surgery practice slightly less than that. Um. If a procedure reimbursement is only 40% of my fees, um, my overhead is approximately 20% more than I'm being reimbursed. So essentially I am subsidizing at least 20% of the funds needed to even break to the breakeven point. Uh, for this reason, my practice was forced to stop seeing the new
Medicaid dental patients as of January 1, 2025 unless there's a true Emergency present consequently, Our revenues have gone up close to 12% year to date versus 2024. Um, and unfortunately, my practice is one of many that are making the decision to stop seeing patients. Uh, my hope is that the Senate Bill 347. Passes so that my practice as
well as other dental practices can continue to provide Medicaid patients with a much needed dental care. Should Senate Bill 347 not pass, it is very likely that the majority of oral and maxillofacial surgeons. Along with substantial numbers of pediatric, orthodontic, and general dentist throughout the state will no longer be Medicaid providers, leaving a large population of Arkansans with no access to dental care, uh,
especially our most deserving population, including children and special needs adults. Thank you. Thank you.
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
29:13
Are there any questions? Thank you. Please proceed. Again, my
Speaker 101
29:19
name is uh Jason Haard. I'm a resident of Conway. I'm a pediatric dentist who's had the privilege of serving Arkansas's pediatric Medicaid population for just over 20 years. I'm also a small business owner with offices in Conway and North Little Rock. I work alongside 5 other exceptional
pediatric dentists and about 42 employees who work hard to care for our patients. I serve as the president of the Arkansas Society of Pediatric Dentists. This group represents approximately 60 pediatric dentists across our state, all of whom are Medicaid providers and almost all of whom take new patients. I graduated from Harding University from there I went uh to complete dental school at Baylor College of Dentistry. That's what it was called now, unfortunately now Texas A&M College of Dentistry, um, following dental school, I
completed a 24 month residency in pediatric dentistry. based out of the dental school, Dallas Children's Hospital, Texas Scottish Ride Hospital and numerous public health clinics. I want to take just a second to talk about who we are as pediatric dentists and how we function in the Medicaid system here. We provide primary and specialty oral care for the children of Arkansas, including those with special health needs. Primary meaning we are many of these children's first dentist start seeing him at one year of
age, um, primary meaning. We see them through graduation, uh, they come to us twice a year for their checkups and recare appointments if they need additional treatment, we may see them multiple times during the year. We developed connections with these families, uh, and we literally watched them grow up before our eyes, a good friend and colleague of mine recently said one of the gifts of my profession is is just that we watch the kids grow up. If we stay around long enough to do
this, we get to see their kids and Trusted to our care as well, so that's a special gift of our our profession, um, as specialists we receive referrals from general dentists and pediatricians. They refer to us for multiple reasons, mainly for young kids who need extensive dental work also for those who have special health care needs. We may only see those kiddos for, for 2 or 3 visits and then return them to their dental home. We share, it's easy to say we
share a sense of passion, a sense of responsibility for taking care of these young patients if any of you received a letter from me, which I sent out a lot of them in support of this. One of the statements that I make is that by virtue of our training, we are uniquely qualified to take care of this vulnerable population. What that means is we have extensive training and additional training in child psychology. We have additional training in hospital dentistry. We have additional training. and treating those with special health care needs.
Um, our training prepares us for to take care of these kids and but we do not take care of these kids alone. We rely on a partnership with guys like Doctor Baldwin, guys like Doctor Bailey here to serve these patients. I participation in collaboration is important and it's crucial to the program. Also, I want to take just a moment to discuss the Medicaid population, uh, approximately 50% of our state's children on Medicaid rely excuse me, 50% of our state. children rely on Medicaid for
their dental care. These children experienced significant disparities in oral health based on their socioeconomic status. To put it simply, our poorest children often have the worst dental health. Our children on Medicaid have higher rates of dental disease, including early childhood carries, which is a particularly potent form of dental cavities. Early childhood carries is the replacement for what many of you have heard of is a nursing bottle carries or baby bottle carries. So early childhood care is the most common chronic disease of childhood. It's even 5 times
more common than asthma. If it's left untreated, it leads to costly problems including hospitalizations and emergency room visits. Our own academy of Pediatric dentist dentistry highlights the effects on children, treatment, uh, increased dental treatment costs, loss of school days, diminished ability to learn and a general lower quality of life. I'm here before you today as a passionate advocate for Arkansas's children, particularly those who rely on Medicaid for their dental care, um, as a pediatric and and small
business owner just like Dr. Baldwin. I'm deeply, deeply concerned over our dental Medicaid reimbursement rates. Simply put, the rates are not sustainable. Let me provide a little bit of context. The last time, as we said before, has been 18 years ago, uh, during the same time frame, the cumulative rate of inflation stands just north of 50%. The of attracting and retaining employees is, is exploded. Lease rates have increased by 40%. Price of supplies have doubled in many cases.
A lot of businesses can just raise their fees. Minor set contractually by what the fees are posted on Arkansas's Medicaid fee schedule there. If I raise my fees, it does nothing for my office. I received no additional revenue from Medicaid. Simply put, if you, if McDonald's pays more for its beef, they're passing along that cost to you and your hamburger. That's not possible for businesses like ours. 18 years without a rate adjustment leaves me struggling with an obligation to continue to care for these
kids. While maintaining a financially viable business. One thing's for certain, I can't continue to serve in the same capacity uh today based on 2007 rates. It's just no longer feasible. These feelings aren't unique to me, as Billy has said before, he sent out a survey. I sent out a survey among pediatric dentists with basically the same information coming back most of, most will move to limit or stop. Medicaid participation, some who
lie along border states, share borders with Louisiana and Missouri. Some will discontinue or limit seeing Arkansas's own children and opt to see patients from Louisiana and Missouri because the rates are more reasonable. In my years of practice, I've witnessed firsthand the profound impact that Medicaid has on the lives of children across our state. It's a crucial safety net. I want to continue to be a part of this program. My colleagues want to continue to
be a part of this program, and we need your help. We need your help to pass SB 347. It'll put reimbursement rates more in line with the costs associating with providing high quality pediatric care. Summing it up, why does all this matter? Uh, the most obvious answer is, is that it affects untre untreated dental issues affect children and it's not just as simple as a kid with a toothache. The effects are far reaching. Poor dental health can lead to problems with self-esteem, academic
performance, speech, eating, sleeping, you name it. It's a major factor contributing to children missing school, which impacts their ability to learn and succeed. Children with untreated dental issues end up In emergency rooms. Emergency rooms cannot provide the care that we do in dental offices, and they certainly cannot provide cost-effective care. An example of a kid showing up in an emergency room, a 5 year old with a swollen face, can't sleep at night, winds up in the emergency room in the in the middle of the night. The ER physician is gonna look at that
kid, say you got a bad tooth, put him on an antibiotic may prescribe a narcotic and say you got to go see your dentist. All of that could be a prevent. if the kid has a dentist, we could treat the cavity. We can prevent the cavity. We can be the service that they call over the weekend rather than go to the emergency room. This sort of thing saves the state money by, by increasing fees, um, We can prevent many of these emergencies saving Arkansas taxpayers' money. OK, OK, got it, got it. OK, because all this
matters, I urge you to uh to to support SB 347, um. By, by increasing the reimbursement rates, we can continue to provide this care for our patients. Now is the time to act. Arkansas children need us. They don't need to wait any longer for this, the status quo is simply not sustainable. Prioritize this issue and work with
Speaker 54
37:41
us to secure this increase. OK. I'm sorry, but
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
37:45
I'm not gonna take that motion yet, um. I, I just need to have a disclosure, so I'm gonna
announce disclosure for myself, uh, just because, uh, my husband, um, would be affected because he does, uh, do the topical application of fluoride, uh, so this bill would directly affect him, so. There's my disclosure There's my disclosures. You have a question, yes. You're recognized. Thank you, Madam Chair. I'm sorry
Senator John Payton
Unverified
38:16
I had to be out of the room if y'all covered this while I was out, but uh I mean I, I hear all the
reasonings for having dental work and and for these people being treated and, and such. The question is the rate and so I'm reading the bill and it talks about 60% or 50 percentile, can anybody explain The reasoning and how this rate is being set. So
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
38:46
the, the 50th percentile is just, you know, the average of the the country and
When everybody's getting excited about only getting 60% of
the 50th percentile, that tells you how much of a problem we have. Um, I don't know if anybody can answer the 50 DHS
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
39:05
can come to the table, please. DHS, can you please come to the table and answer Senator Payton's
Senator John Payton
Unverified
39:13
questions. So do we know where Arkansas ranks in the percentile
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
39:17
currently? I believe we're pretty close to the bottom, but maybe they can answer. Yeah.
Speaker 142
39:27
OK. Janet me and DHS, could you repeat the question,
Speaker 61
39:30
please? I'm not sure you're the proper one to answer
Senator John Payton
Unverified
39:33
my question. I was asking the bill's sponsor. And his contingency here. What their reasoning was. For, for how they came up with the formula to set the rate. I'm not qualified to answer. I
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
39:47
don't know how they say. I'm, I'm just
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
39:51
trying to find out so, so I'll, I'll go ahead and answer. The, the
If, if one of them wants to tell how low we are on the, on the scale, that'd be great, but I know we're near the bottom of reimbursement rates in the country, so they took the average rate and then asked for 60% of that, um, to bring us up
Senator John Payton
Unverified
40:15
higher in the reimbursement rates. OK, so this dental advisory service comprehensive fee report. Who, who creates that? Is that, is that
Is that coming straight from DHS reimbursement? From Medicaid reimbursement or Is that a retail fee report. Senator, I'm glad you
Speaker 99
40:40
asked that question. That comes from a published report, uh, that's done by a third party that received the fees that are in here, uh, the rates are taken from insurance claims and also surveys of dentists around the country. So
Senator John Payton
Unverified
40:55
when you're saying the insurance claims is good.
Here's, here's my problem. I, I recently, a couple years ago, dealt with the insulin situation and manufacturing. that had a uh uh artificially inflated retail price and then a bunch of kickbacks and stuff. I wanted to make sure that this report that we're, that we're using. It's not some artificial retail price report. No, sir. It's a, it's a highly dependable report
Speaker 99
41:23
and the, the what many dentists use and going back to the 50th percentile, if
you look at the full range, we all understand 50th percentile, but it, but if, if you look at the handout, uh, that was there based on those procedure codes, even at the 50th percentile, that's adjusted for Arkansas, so it makes it even lower than the 50th percentile for the the rest of the nation. So that number is adjusted. So just to be clear, it's, it's not
Senator John Payton
Unverified
41:51
setting it. As we would compare to other states on Medicaid
reimbursement. No, sir. OK. No, sir. Thank you. Thank you,
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
42:01
madam. I do have a question for DHS though. Where are we? I think that was one of the Senator Payton's
questions, where are we in the rank of our reimbursement rates when it comes to dental as it compares to the rest of the states. And
Speaker 153
42:14
thank you for the question. So in January, we began um you speak into the mic in
Speaker 155
42:21
January we began a rate review for dental as. Agreed when we moved it from managed care back to fee for service that we would start it in January. We're on the verge
of being able to publish that. We usually in our rate reviews, we do compare it to surrounding states, and we do compare it to Medicare, which we have done in the past two previous rate reviews that was referenced earlier in testimony that saw no rate increase. When we originally began this process, we had a selection of, I think, 2 pages of codes that were highly used and it compared it to the surrounding states, I think there were 8 approximately and 3 to 5 of those codes, we
were on, we were in the bottom 4, the rest of the codes we were in the top 4 categories of, of payment and so we took that into um our rate review to continue, and I, I, we just don't have those published yet for public comment. When do you,
Speaker 157
43:20
when will you have that? It was, it was due, it's due this week.
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
43:24
It's it's due this week. OK. OK, let's do this week. Senator Love has a question. OK, so, all right,
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
43:30
so what is, what is this based on?
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
43:37
down and explain that I'm, I'm gonna ask you. What this is based on
Speaker 27
43:42
and then if this was law. How would this match up? So what, what is it what are these numbers
Speaker 161
43:49
is the 80th, so when we look at rates typically what we do is take the top 80% of codes billed. So what that means
Speaker 163
43:56
is 80% of Medicaid spend is accounted for by the codes on that list and you can see on there like the top one is Bill
300,000 times versus the lowest one is build 1000 times, so we're getting to a really small amount of build codes when you get off that list. So that's why we don't necessarily look at those when we do rate reviews. So that's what that list. accounts for. There is 20% of what is billed to Medicaid that is not accounted for on that list that I have just asked our finance team to pull and rerun for us so that we'd see that
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
44:26
whole picture. Got you. OK, so, but we're, but where, where did you get these numbers?
Speaker 163
44:31
Those numbers are from the book that he provided. Those are not what we use in our rate review.
So that is the what is in this
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
44:41
bill. OK, so, so these are, these are the numbers that, that you're saying that that you alright so these numbers match up with this. OK. All right, that, that's what I,
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
44:55
I needed to know. Yeah, I, I think they did a fiscal impact based on
the language in the bill, which is why you have the code specific to the Great review.
Uh, study that's, that is designated in the bill. OK,
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
45:12
so, yes, yes, so let me ask you, so, uh, year 3. We see the federal share is 6. a little over 6 or a total is 8.7 million, just say 8.7, and then we have 8.7 million. The estimate for the special needs population is that So we're talking about $17.5 million or so.
Speaker 161
45:39
The total impact. Let me read that so I can make sure let me
Speaker 144
45:46
put my eyes on. I think it's based on the time. Yeah, you
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
45:51
have the federal share and the state share. So that is one
Speaker 163
45:54
of the things I'm trying to get clarification on on whether or not they did include that additional special needs. I know we had difficulty determining that population because that term is not used as a diagnosis for us, so we, I, I need to clarify that, but I believe that
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
46:11
is the total impact so that would be, would it be the 17.5, like 17.5 million or would it be just, it'd be the
Speaker 178
46:18
8.6. per year going forward from year 3 and
Speaker 27
46:21
that includes the special needs. That is my understanding, yes. All right,
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
46:26
thank you. OK, so I just have a question to um so this bill
actually, it's, it's different to me, it's, it's a different process than what we're doing with rate reviews as it relates to any other providers. Is
Speaker 164
46:38
that correct? It is looking at a different
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
46:42
standard than what we do with other providers. Yes, ma'am, that is correct. OK. Do we
do this in, I mean, it's, I don't, I'm not familiar with any of these outside reports, but, um, but this bill has caps on it. Uh, like an annual reimbursement cap for a, uh, which would be qualified for per individual, which we do utilize for diagnostic laboratory
diagnostic treatment, is that correct? Yes, ma'am, that's correct, and we
Speaker 163
47:15
currently have an adult dental cap cap rate of $500 per year, um, children have no limits, but adults do currently have a dental limit, hard limit. OK, so,
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
47:24
so this bill is not touching the children's no ma'am, not their limits. We don't have under federal law,
Speaker 163
47:30
we cannot have limits for children, so we do not have any limits
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
47:36
for children. OK, so I guess that's my question for the pediatric dentists because there is no cap. It, that's just a
reimbursement rate. So this bill May or may not affect you with pediatric dentistry as it relates to children. Is that do I understand that correctly? Well, there's
Speaker 101
47:56
no cap on maximum expenditure on per kid, but this is for a fee increase for each of our procedures. Is that what you're asking? Uh.
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
48:16
that's the second part. This is the adults with special needs is the
cap. OK, so that's in the first. OK, that's just covered in the first part. Gotcha. Yes, Senator Payton. So what
Senator John Payton
Unverified
48:32
is the current cap? If there, I think I heard you say there is a
Speaker 187
48:37
current cap for adults, yes sir, there is, and it's uh
Senator John Payton
Unverified
48:41
currently $500. OK, so this bill would Where that to 1000 the first
year, 1250, the next year 1500. So does that cap lower? The fiscal impact? No,
Speaker 163
48:53
sir, that actually would increase it because it's increasing the cap for those individuals 33 times that it would have a
Senator John Payton
Unverified
48:59
net gain in fiscal impact. But when you did these figures, you just took the number of cases times the increase. We took the number that's currently
Speaker 166
49:07
billed for those codes, but some of those could be denied because
Senator John Payton
Unverified
49:10
they've exceeded the cap, but the cap wouldn't be raised, so they
Speaker 163
49:14
would actually be able to bill it more. So no, sir, we
didn't count for that. But that's right, that the cap is only for special needs, so that cap is at 500 when we pulled those codes, it's using a cap of $500 for all adults today. The bill as written would increase it for special needs adults to 1500, so we don't think there would be an increase in denials based on
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
49:39
this bill. Thank you. But there is an approval process, correct? There's an appeal process, I mean, yes, there is that still should exist, right? There's there's no extension of
Speaker 163
49:47
benefits right now. are looking at that as part of our manual, um, when we came back over to Fee for Service, we're doing a complete review of our manual including our prior authorization process, which I think they testified about here, um, because we know that it doesn't follow what was being done in managed care, and we want to kind of relook at it given it hasn't been looked at in 7 years, uh, so all of that is being examined as part of that process. OK, yeah, I would
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
50:10
recommend there has to be an appeal process if you have somebody who has a really Yes, train wreck of an issue
that needs to be addressed and fixed and that may exceed that cap. I think it's important to
have an appeal process in there for them. OK, thank you. Any other questions for anybody, um, at the table from
any members. All right, thank you. Thank you for the information. Right.
Speaker 196
50:37
Yes, sir, please. Uh, Madam Chair, Doctor Mark Bailey from Walron, Arkansas. I'll try to keep my comments very brief. Uh, just a short bow, uh, practiced in Walton,
Arkansas since 1984 I'm the only provider in Scott County have been for years, uh, run a mom and pop, uh, type of dental practice there, uh, and have treated uh Medicaid children, Medicaid adults, and Medicaid special need adults, uh, the predominance of that 41 years. Um, and appreciate the opportunity to speak to the, to the committee today and, and your indulgence of us in regards to a very critical situation because of my aforementioned circumstances, there's not a
dentist within 30 miles of me in any geographic direction. I'm the only dentist in Scott County have been for years. Medicaid reimbursement rates are not only important to me, it's important to, to my children that I serve in those special needs adults as well, and it's a pretty critical topic. I get inundated constantly with surrounding uh from surrounding areas of the counties that touch or border Scott County for new patients almost on a daily
basis. I'm almost overwhelmed at this point and have had to limit my practice to just seeing residents of Scott County. Uh, from a, from a Medicaid point of view, um, underserved doesn't even begin to express the situation in many of our Arkansas counties, uh, and I'm a part of that. Um, for, for small town practices that operate anywhere from the Oklahoma border to the Delta. Uh, we, uh, don't
generally have uh practices that for lack of a better description, cash flow as well as our metropolitan colleagues, and so it presents an interesting operational situation for us. We run on tighter budgets. There's less wiggle room for for us from a profit loss perspective, uh, and so we are. Uh, though a large part of the provider service in regards to Medicaid dentistry because we live in rural areas that are underserved and perhaps of a
lower socioeconomic status and so it's important for us in that regard. Uh, as Doctor Harvard mentioned, our costs have risen astronomically over that time, especially post COVID, uh, and we're seeing increases. From a 4 to 5% per year average, uh, and that's not slowing down. Uh, as an industry, these economic challenges are, are sort of unprecedented post-COVID, but
We are facing not only a serious economic dilemma. My age class Dennis is is uh facing what we would consider a moral or ethical dilemma. On the one hand, do I continue to provide services that I'm doing out of pocket, uh, as, uh as was mentioned by Aaron, or do I continue to do the right thing and treat an underserved population that cannot take care of themselves in regards to their dental health needs, especially the special needs adults, and the children.
And so do I quit taking Medicaid altogether and totally ignore these people, or do I continue to operate at an unsustainable loss for them, and how do I balance that? And I have to make that decision every day when I look at my schedule and it is unfortunate. Um, one of the things that I want to point out to the senators is that there's a paradigm shift that's about to happen in the dental community within the state of Arkansas, and it's a statewide problem. The predominance of dental practitioners in the state of
Arkansas are 55 or older. If you look at us from a from a demographic standpoint, just strictly based on age. We're either retiring, we're either transitioning our practices are frankly, we're dying. In my age class entis historically provided um Medicaid dentistry just out of a sense of that's what's best for the communities in which we live. These people cannot help their circumstances to a degree, especially the children and the special needs adults. We've always felt compelled to do the right thing.
So fast forward now that the upcoming dentists that are just now graduating that are buying our practices are moving into our communities that need to provide these services in an ongoing fashion. They are saddled with tremendous debt. Average debt for uh New dentists that are just now arriving on the scene that they've just graduated is is something north of $300,000 probably close to closer to $400,000. If they buy a practice, now they're looking at
an additional debt of a quarter of a million dollars to well over a million dollars to buy a practice. Quite frankly, most of them cannot borrow that money. But they obviously cannot do dentistry for free. And pay that debt. And so, those young people will be forced to make that decision strictly based on an economic perspective. They cannot do dentistry for free. I've paid for my practice. I've, I've financed my own retirement. I can do dentistry for free.
These gentlemen do dentistry for free. But our younger colleagues cannot do that. And ongoingly they will not do that. And that's what saddens me about this particular situation, uh, and that's what's driving, frankly, the corporate dentistry model. They can't buy a practice. They're so saddled with debt they can't move forward. You all know, Senator. And so, um, I've changed my fee schedule probably in this 18-year time span we're talking about, I've probably changed it,
uh, on an average of every 2 to 3 years, uh, and all I'm doing is widening the gap between access to care. Uh, and it, it, it really from a, from a psychological and and an emotional standpoint bothers me because I have been invested in a very rural community for 40 years, and I don't know what's going to happen going forward and unfortunately access to care for probably close to 500,000 kids. There are about 750,000.
people eligible for Medicaid dentistry in the state of Arkansas. That's 1 in 41 in 4 of Arkansans is eligible for this. And so going forward, uh uh financial reasons. Um, it's, it's going to be incumbent that we, that we
Speaker 198
57:24
try and change things. Thank you so much for listening to us today. Thank
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
57:29
you. I have one quick question. If this right review comes out and it's more money than what is in your bill.
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
57:41
Then, then what, then what? If, if it does I'll I'll have a discussion with this committee and and make sure that What, whatever happens today is still the intent of the committee, because I, I was a little concerned when I heard that myself because when I'm looking at this, uh, I look at, when I'm looking at a fiscal impact, I'm looking at every angle and right now we spend over $10 million a year, the
ratepayers in Arkansas paying for fluoride in the water. 99.5% of that fluoride goes down the drain goes on the grass, it goes to industrial uses. Go to watering chickens and cows and other agricultural, you know, needs, you know, and, and we're, we're 99.5% of that $10 million is wasted on fluoride. when we can have topical applications to our, our, our youth that are under treated with Medicaid, that's how I look
at this. Um, I'm, I, I would obviously like to offset it, but um that's, that's, I didn't merge the two bills, but that's how I look at things. So Um, we limited this to uh You know, disabled adults, not all adults and children. Those are the vulnerable populations and that's what I want to try to, you know, the, the population I want to try to help. So, um, with that, I know we've we're a lot of bills today. We'll go ahead and close
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
59:12
unless there's questions. Are there any other questions
from members of the committee? I just thought
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
59:18
it was a fair question to ask since we got the information. I mean, if this moves off and the fiscal impact comes back drastically different and
everybody has a different opinion. We can, we can revisit that.
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
59:29
I'm totally fine with that. All right, any other questions from members of the committee. Nobody else has signed up to for or against, I think you've closed for your your bill, pleasure of the committee.
Motion to pass 2nd, I'll do some favor say aye and opposed, I have it, congratulations, the bill passes. Thank you, Senators. Thank you for the discussion, and the ability to have the discussions. I think it was really good information and very important and I'll, I'll just say from a personal point of privilege. I mean, yes, I, I filed the disclosure and I just wanted to make sure everybody understood. I have two disclosures. I have 2 sons in dental school, um, well, one that's graduated, that's currently in dental
school, um, and then my husband actually does do the topical treatment of the fluoride which is reflected in this fiscal impact statement. So I just wanted to say that I, I do believe that our Medicaid program should be entirely focused on health care, and I think there's a lot of spend outside of healthcare, direct healthcare in our Medicaid program that should be attacked, but I, I appreciate the bill and the conversation and I hope that in
continuing conversations. DHS if that does come out, we'll, we'll go from there.
Speaker 196
1:00:44
Thank you. I think we're gonna move on. May I interrupt just for a second? I sent you an email on March 6th, the each one of you in
Speaker 47
1:00:53
support of Senate Bill 347. If you have any further questions, just email
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:00:59
me. Thank you. I believe that the dental association that is still for fluoride. Would that be a correct
statement? Thank you. Senator Ludding, we're going to go to 587. That's our other special order
that I have listed, and then we'll go right back to 311,
Senator Penza will let you catch your breath and get ready for the next bill. We'll toss to Senator Leding. Um, sorry, we're at 587.
Well, thank you. That's good. you need that as well.
Senator Greg Leding
Unverified
1:02:04
If you'll state your name for the record, you may proceed. Senator Greg Letting from District 30 in Fayetteville, and I'll let
Speaker 216
1:02:12
my guests introduce themselves as well. Hi, I'm Deborah Stewart. Hi, I'm Deborah Stewart from Austin, Texas. Sorry. Thank you.
Rhonda Finley
Unverified
1:02:19
Please proceed. Rhonda Finley. I'm a lifelong Arkansan, but I come to you via
Speaker 220
1:02:37
my mother. I'm very. Good morning, Senators. Like I said, I'm Betty Findley. I'm 87 years old. I was born schooled. Married
Children, right here in Little Rock. My adventure is right here. I've never left. I'm proud to Be in Arkansan and I'm very proud to be an American. Like OK Thank you. OK. Madam Chair, Mr. Vice Chair, members
Senator Greg Leding
Unverified
1:03:16
of the committee, and good morning to everybody
watching online. Um, Ms. Finley reached out to me back in October after learning that way back in 2015 Iran legislation similar to what is before us today with Senate Bill 587, um, because they like a lot of families, want to keep tabs on their loved ones, Ms. Finley here lives here in Little Rock, as she said, but two of her daughters also live out of state, and they like a lot of people just want to be able to keep better tabs on their families. That's a common thing to all of And so one way they would like to be able to do that is by placing a camera in Ms. Betty's
room at the facility where she resides. We have cameras just about everywhere. There are 2 in this room. We all walk around with a camera in our pocket. There are many daycare facilities, you will find cameras and many facilities where you are allowed to board your pets. You will find cameras that you can check in on them while you are traveling. We do this to bring peace of mind to families, and we see that there's no reason not to be able to provide. Families that same peace of mind when it comes to their loved ones living in long-term care facilities. The way Senate Bill
587 would work is that this would be the cost of this technology would be born entirely by the family. There would be no cost to the facility. The residents obviously would have to consent to having this device in the room, as would any other person living in that room with them if it was a roommate type situation again, many of these facilities already have cameras throughout. We are just asking that the families be able to have. Peace of mind of being able to have a camera in their room. I believe that legislation similar to this is already law in 16 states and in many of those
states studies have shown that the the financial liability for these institutions is actually lowered by the presence of having these cameras in their rooms, and with that, I will turn it over to the family to let them say what they have to
Deborah Stewart
Unverified
1:05:11
say. Thank you. I'll go first, um, My name is Deborah Stewart, and as I said, I live in Austin, Texas, so I have a lot of distance between my mom and myself that, you know, I don't really like, but
when we, when she first moved into a facility and also I might add this is my second parent to be in a long-term care facility. It's not ideal, not, not where anyone actually wants to end up, but many of us find that that is the reality and that is the reality we face every day. We check on our mom. We visit as often as possible, but um Just the distance requires, you know, she has a phone, we can call her, but we were first
allowed to put a camera in the room when she became a resident at a facility here in Little Rock and uh then at some point along the way we were told that they were not allowing it anymore. We could keep the camera and then we've been recently told that at some point we will have to remove the camera, um, I would say It has been a blessing to our family to have that level of communication with our mother that is not the same as a
telephone. She wants the camera there, uh, there are cameras all over the facility and yet for some reason, if you want to have a camera in a room you were paying for out of your pocket that it by state regulation is not allowed. If the facility does not allow it. And so, I had looked into um in Austin, I called several facilities because Texas um passed that
legislation some years ago, and what I was told by uh just the canvassing that I did that, as it turned out, cameras resident cameras have never been an issue once it was allowed, it has been one facility told me there are literally 1000 cameras in this facility. The room cameras have never been an issue. The costs are borne by the residents and their families that consent is given by the resident or someone with power of attorney for the
family and that in most cases the states that have allowed this legislation have used that model. Uh, there are several pending state legislation state bills and other legislatures as well right now. Um, I would just say just understanding that when you reach this point in your life. It is a vulnerable point, and it is important to be able to communicate as as much as
possible with your loved one in the best possible ways and if Having a camera there actually reduces liability as it turns out insurance rates in the studies that I've read, Fordham University did one. The rates went down in those nursing homes because they had less problems in the facility. Once people recognize that your behavior, if that's a problem and in most cases it isn't by the employees
of the facility, but when you have that camera, it is just an extra level of protection and it protects the facility as well from any kind of uh accusation that may be false. It, it works both ways. It's a two-way street. So the world has changed since 2015 and Senator Leding brought this bill before. The world has changed. There is a camera, literally every building you step into, parking lots, there's just not a place.
I'm looking at the camera that I'm on right now and the one behind me. So to say that someone in a nursing home. Cannot have a camera in the room if the family wants it and the resident wants it. It's just sort of the fear is based around that have sort of been, have gone away and we just are, it's a world we live in now, so I will pass on to my sister, but thank you for listening today and understanding where we're
coming from, it is important to us. It has changed our lives in a positive way, and we hope for everyone. in Arkansas, it will be the same. Hello senators. My
Rhonda Finley
Unverified
1:09:52
name is Rhonda Finley, and it is truly an honor to be here today. Ma'am,
Senator Dave Wallace
Unverified
1:09:57
give me one second, please. Sure. Senator Love, you have a question. Thank you.
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
1:10:01
And so, I mean, I guess the, the biggest issue I think facing with this bill is
the fact that if you share a room and and and I understand uh within the bill you, you said that um That the other person has to give consent, but Um, that I think that that's kind of the biggest issue facing this bill. Uh, I think, I think that's it. And so, um, How, how do you, how do you, if, if someone says, hey, um, and then.
Speaker 120
1:10:39
If someone says Hey, I don't want this camera in my room. How, how, how are they going to resolve that issue. They just don't put the camera in the
Senator Greg Leding
Unverified
1:10:51
room. Yeah, and if not everyone in the room consents to the presence of the camera, the camera would then
be removed. What man, you said it would be removed require consent. Well, it's like somebody can sense at the beginning, but they changed their mind. They're right for the camera to be in the room,
Speaker 120
1:11:09
everybody would have to consent to the beginning. So they, they consent before the cameras put in. Is that what you're saying? OK, all
Chair
Unverified
1:11:20
right. Thank you again. Thank you again. I, I just didn't know if Senator Payton had a question. Um, hold up one
Senator John Payton
Unverified
1:11:28
second, Senator you're recognized. Thank you. I just wanted to
go ahead and get in there cause you make an address this in in your testimony, but What's preventing it now? Is
there a law that says they can't do it, or is it just the business owner or whoever owns the nursing home that says you can't do it, what's preventing
Speaker 188
1:11:48
it right now the facilities have the option to tell residents that they simply can't have a camera in their room. OK, so this would compel them. To
Rhonda Finley
Unverified
1:12:01
do it. OK, thank you. So you can go ahead. Thank you, Senator. Um, so
Speaker 239
1:12:04
first of all, I was looking around the room. Senator Hill, Senator Flippo, Senator Payton, Senator Love, none of us are getting any
younger. Truth, I was looking back here. I saw these faces and I've realized that you all didn't realize that this regulation exists that you cannot, right? It affects every single Arkansan. And I was listening to the dentist. I was completely compelled by the group that previously spoke. They talked about giving
treatment as a moral dilemma for them under their circumstance. I know y'all were all listening. This is a dilemma for every single Arkansan that wants to age in place.
Speaker 242
1:12:58
You think today it doesn't have anything to do with you or you or you, it has everything to do with every single person, including the nursing home lobby, which is a hell of a lot stronger than my spoken word,
but today we are faced with a moral issue here. And a rightful issue to allow you to place a camera in the space that you for To assist in what is a triangle of care. The patient that either has or has not the ability to speak up for themselves. For the care facility, which is
going above and beyond in many instances to provide care and for the family that exists that wants to participate in the long-term care plan, if anyone in here is friends with lobbyists for the long-term care industry, we know that absent one point of contact and that triangle of care could mean that Senator Love one day. You don't have the care that you promised. And this is a promise
to help the facilities maintain the highest level of care while reducing their liability. This is in our global society are Kansans that have been able to move to another state, state connected. This allows us all to look out for the most vulnerable members of our community and to continue to participate as family members. This is a bill that is a permissible bill.
Permissible, and I would dare say as we look around this room, it's to help everyone. So while we're worried about care, this is an overlooked piece of the puzzle. It is allowed us to work very closely with the care facility that my mom is in and to get great results, and as a matter of fact, it was a tool that the administration of our care facility was able to use to then up the seminars and care training for their. This is not a negative. This is
one of the most positive bills that can move through, and I ask you all to vote to support it, to take it to the full Senate floor so that every person in Arkansas that sent people to the Senate. We can have a full discourse tomorrow about it and then possibly have more one on ones for interested parties that might be fearful of this, to actually allow us to show them where and cases with the nursing home industry will reduce the costs
and liability, and I think that this is great legislation for Arkansas, and I hope that you can see it and
Speaker 220
1:16:08
support it. I would appreciate it. Thank you. Good morning again, senators. I'm Betty Findley. I'm 87 years old. I was born and raised in Little
Speaker 244
1:16:23
Rock, and I'm a very, very proud Arkansan. Today I stand pardon me, I see it before you. And not just as an 87 year old woman, but as someone who cherishes the beauty of life. And the privilege to speak to you about this. Important element of long-term care.
80 plus year euros like me and folks of any age. That need a facility that provides care 24 hours or vulnerable community here in Arkansas. Uh, understand that you're trusted by us to make decisions to protect our health and well-being. Today, I ask you to allow me and
my peers of long term care to make our own decisions to monitor activities in our room. This is our home. And I paid for that privilege. I believe it's essential. To discuss the importance of allowing residents like me to have cameras in our nursing home rooms. Having our own cameras in our
rooms that we take care of promotes transparency and trust with my facility, caregivers in my family. Cameras which are around us in Chalk, child daycare is, for example, provides reassurance to families that their loved ones are safe and well cared for. By seeing glimpses of our daily
life concerns about her well-being. can be alleviated. In closing, permitting cameras in our nursing home rooms is about fostering connection, emotional health and trust. I ask you to permit this for all our Kansans and future generations, less embrace technology in Arkansas and protect Arkansas seniors.
And senators, I thank you for the privilege of speaking to you today. And I hope That You will hear what I have to say and vote favorable favorable for what I'm asking you for. Thank you. Thank you very much, members. Are there questions
Speaker 149
1:19:22
from the committee? All right, see no questions. Do
Senator Scott Flippo
Unverified
1:19:31
we have anybody signed up to speak? We've got Ms. Rachelunch with the Arkansas Health Care Association. going to be speaking against.
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:19:53
Thank you. If you'll just state your name for the record, please. Sure. Uh, good morning. My name
Rachel Bunch
Unverified
1:19:58
is Rachel Bunch. I'm the executive director of the Arkansas
Healthcare Association. We represent a total of 302 facilities in the state of Arkansas. Those include nursing facilities, assisted living facilities and intermediate care facilities for those with developmental disabilities and our association is opposed to this bill. Um, I'd like to add before I talk about what I prepared today, just a couple of comments, um, what went before us. So We do have a number of facilities in Arkansas that allow for cameras in the room,
so that's changed over time as technology has progressed, um, when this bill was filed, I did a quick poll of a number of our members and we have an increasing number of facilities that are starting to do more of this. We still have a lot of facilities that in their policies don't allow it and a lot of them that do offer this, uh, to their residents, they do it differently and we, uh, our position is that we'd like facilities to be able to decide. how to do this and what's best for them. So there are some facilities uh that allow uh family members of residents to
put cameras in rooms, but um there are a lot of logistics and issues with that and how you do it, um, there are a lot of different concerns. Um, also about communication. Uh, we think that family members and communication is of course important and encourage that um constantly uh facilities do lots of FaceTime phone calls, there's lots of communication uh that our member facilities that they will facilitate for those family members. Um, there are lots of ways to talk to families, uh, and have them, you know, and if they're not able to come in the
building. Our biggest concern with this bill as written is we think it's an insult to dignity and uh it's, we have a lot of concerns about residents' rights and privacy. We do have cameras all over this building, got a camera right in front of me, I got a camera on my phone sitting right here on the table. There's not a camera in the bathroom. There's not a camera in your office, um, the facilities, most of them have cameras and common areas, um, which is actually a part of HIPAA hallways, dining rooms, day rooms, things like that, but a facility, a nursing facility,
someone in their patient room is a very different situation. Um, we think, uh, the, you know, the residents that live in nursing facilities, they live in their rooms, some, some residents are more mobile than others, able to move around. They live in their rooms. These are rooms where people get dressed, bathe, receive food, medication. Talk to their nurses, talk to physicians, talk to other providers. There are a lot of private uh conversations and things that happen um in their beds, in their bedrooms, and
constant surveillance over those people um in their bedrooms infringes on their right to privacy. A big concern that we have with the bill, um, I think it's on the 2nd page where it talks about the authority and the consent, um, we think that the the wording here is problematic. If you, if you look at the bill. It says, uh, the, the resident, um, it, it defines a a resident representative without detail, so the way that that we read this bill, it does not restrict
this right to those that have authority given by the resident to make health care decisions on their behalf, um, for the resident, but it's over the person appointed by a court. It broadly defines a resident's representative with authority to authorize monitoring even over a resident with capacity. to make their own decisions. So the way that this is written, if, if my mother were in a facility and my mother had the ability to make her own healthcare decisions, but I wanted to place a camera in her
room, it implies that I would be able to do that even against her wishes. And so it has this definition here of a patient's representative, um, but it doesn't it doesn't define that, is that a friend? Is it a responsible party? Is it a guardian, a POA, a family member? What about siblings who don't? agree on that if this is going to happen, um, you could have a lot of family discussions and issues with this, um, and the bill does not define any of those things. Uh, the next thing I want to talk on briefly is
about a roommate and privacy considerations. And Senator Love asked a question about roommates. You all recall a couple of years ago we came before you with some rules to update the way that patient rooms are done in nursing facilities because as our industry is trying to promote more private rooms, um, that doesn't happen overnight, it isn't free, and it's a long process. However, around 80% of rooms and nursing facilities in Arkansas today are semi-private rooms and they have a roommate. So the process for dealing with
roommates, making those considerations uh can be tricky and difficult, um, there's, you know, already a lot of considerations and things to think about putting two people together, um, in a room where they these people spend a lot of time. For residents that live in semi-private rooms, the ability of the roommate to refuse consent uh to the constant surveillance is in question. If the roommate refuses to consent, one of the residences is required to move. Um, this is unfair and coercion of a resident and will result in bullying of residents by other
residents or their families in order to obtain this agreement. Similarly, if a resident moving into a room already under surveillance is required to consent to this surveillance. If they refuse and no other rooms are available, then the resident's right to choose the long-term care facility in question that they want to reside in is negatively affected. Uh, again about common areas, recording residents on facility cameras and common areas is
supported by HIPAA. The facility as a covered entity governed by HIPAA may utilize cameras in common areas when there's no expectation of privacy by the resident uh to enhance delivery care systems and reporting. Facilities do not ever place resident cameras in resident rooms under any circumstances. As I said, they might have them in dining room, day room, halls, entryway, uh, the door um but not in patient rooms where they have the expectation and right to privity, privacy and dignity.
Also, we believe that this is an insult to friends, medical professionals, and clergy that are in these rooms visiting patients. We think this would reduce the willingness to visit and to serve. It also ignores the privacy rights associated with these conversations, particularly at the end of life, physician patient privilege and clergy privilege. It could also inhibit some of these conversations that are very important and need a lot of privacy. Another thought that we had, why is there no similar requirement
proposed for hospitals, hospital rooms in homes of residents receiving skilled home health services. What about patients receiving dialysis services. There's no data to support that implementing these devices and healthcare environments is beneficial to patients. Finally, a couple of questions about the footage and who owns this footage. What happens to this audio and video footage. You hear about uh baby monitors being hacked about video footage, um, the information that's out there that may not be
secure. Who would be allowed to record the video and audio. Can it be sold? Is it a crime if it's sold? Is it a crime if it's shared? Could permission to watch or listen be granted to others? How will that be documented and how is that determined? it Happy to answer questions, um, I think that covers the majority of my remarks. Are there
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:27:40
any questions from members of the committee, Senator, you have a
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
1:27:44
question. Thank you, because I was trying to keep up with your remarks, uh.
We're in the You talked about the person having to move. Out of the room. We're we're in the B list just a second. So page
Rachel Bunch
Unverified
1:28:03
3, line 27, it says if a resident residing in a shared room or his or her representative does not consent to the use, the facility shall accommodate the resident or representative by moving one or more of the residents to different rooms.
That may or may not be available. Those roommates may get along with each other. I mean, that's, um, We think that's problematic. All
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:28:29
right, thank you. Are there any other questions that the members of the committee? Sean, thank you for your
testimony. Um, also we have, uh, Greg Worthen. OK, uh, Joel Landrieu.
Speaker 260
1:28:51
Against. Good morning ladies and gentlemen of the committee. I'm Joel Landreneau. I am the executive director of the Arkansas Council for Behavioral Health. We represent a number of different mental health providers, some of them, including psychiatric residential treatment facilities for children. And we, I stand before you in opposition to the bill as it's currently written, because I think it's a well-intended bill that has unintended consequences. Also on your
agenda for later consideration is House Bill 1653 run by Representative Kavanaugh, and that bill seeks to strike psychiatric residential treatment facility from the residential childcare definition and put it into the long-term care facility definition. This bill would apply to everything licensed as a long-term care facility. So if 1653 passes, then you're gonna have Patients who have a right to put cameras in the bedrooms of teenage psychiatric patients.
Because these long term care facilities, and I don't think that cameras in the bedrooms of teenage psychiatric patients is where we are today, and I don't think it's where we need to go, so I would ask that you would vote it down or ask for some sort of amendment that allows for an exception to the different types of facilities in response to Senator Love's question about broom reassignment that actually would be very problematic for some of our facilities which are rather small.
28 beds or less, and you already have a lot of considerations that have to be taken into account in who to pair up with whom. So if you've got the consent, nonconsent question in an additional complication in who to how to pair up people with rooms together. You've just made running that facility that much more difficult. Yes, we have cameras in common areas. No, we don't have cameras in bedrooms where people dress, where people bathe, where people have private conversations, where People masturbate. There are
privacy considerations that I don't think this takes into account just because it might make sense for certain nursing home patients and urge you to not adopt this in its current form.
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:31:06
Thank you. Are there any questions from members of the committee?
OK, thank you. I apologize for mispronununcing mispronouncing your last name. Sorry about that, but thank you for your testimony. Any, uh, I think DHS is DHS in the room.
OK, anybody else here to speak for or against the bill?
Please come forward. Did you need to speak against or for the bill? No, OK. All right, um, you're recognized clothes for
your bill. I That's not appropriate. Sorry. Thank you.
Senator Greg Leding
Unverified
1:31:59
Thank you, Madam Chair and thank you committee for uh your time and consideration. I do just want
to point out a couple of things that we are talking about with this. We're talking about living facilities and not healthcare facilities. We also know that in many of these places, residents, if they are looking for something to be done in a private manner. They have conference rooms where they are able to do what are known as care meetings or one on ones. I know we heard discussion of dignity. We do believe that this is about dignity, the dignity of people being able to stay in touch with
their loved ones and not be denied that opportunity because we believe that that is something that we all desire and want to have, um. That said, based on some of the conversations and it is not our intent to open this up to people who we are not intending to cover under this. We are willing to Consider amendments to this legislation, but also would love to have a conversation with the nursing home industry and see if we can't craft a piece of legislation that we could all agree that would meet the needs
of being able to give parents and their families peace of mind. So with the committee's permission, we will pull down this bill to consider amendments. Thank you, Senator Penza, Senate Bill 311, and
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:33:08
you have a handout. Thank you, Senator Leding. Thank you, members for the testimony on the bill. we had
somebody fly in today. Yes. Happy to have you with us.
Just state your names for the record while we're passing out your
Speaker 266
1:33:37
handout. My name is Robert Fulm, happy to be here
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
1:33:40
as well. Put Penzo Senate District 31 Springdale. You, you mind if
he goes in and starts while we're hanging out the go right ahead.
Speaker 271
1:33:56
OK. Good morning. Uh. And thank you for the opportunity to speak in support of SB 311. I just want to start
by saying the views and opinions expressed are those of myself and do not necessarily express the official policy or position of my employer. The field of genomics is still in its infancy, the much publicized first human genome was only completed in 2003 and at the cost of over $2 billion while taking a decade to complete. In that time, and it was also laden with gaps, so there was errors of genomic sequences that we could not parse. Fast forward
to today, a person's genome can be sequenced within hours and at the cost
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:34:40
of just hundreds of dollars. And so-called tip to speak right into that mic. It, it's
Speaker 271
1:34:45
really loud out there. I apologize, um, so-called tip to tip sequencing has filled in previous gaps of unknown sequence. These are tremendous feats, but also they represent only the beginning of the journey of genomic powered medicine. The true challenge would be our ability to decipher this new genomic language within our genes.
How these genetic grammars affect our physical features, our health, and our personalities. And these endeavors, there is the potential to conquer devastating diseases, tailor treatments to patients' personal genomes and fortify our crops from drought and pests. In a perfect world, humanity would labor together to make these genomic dreams a reality. In reality, hostile nations, most notably China, dedicated significant resources to to the
illegal theft of our scientific and technical knowledge. To their own authoritarian desires. Everything from our citizens financial information or telecommunications, even the proprietary composition of our soda can linings have all been targets. Chinese business entities are by law mandated to cooperate with military and intelligence agencies in gathering this data. In response, the US has taken prudent steps to protect our
interests, such as the banning of Huawei. infrastructure that could be used for spying and data collection. This proposed bill here is a necessary continuation of this policy to safeguard the data of our citizens. PGI, the uh leading Chinese genomics company has already shown its willingness to leverage its genomic sequencing technology for nefarious purposes by participating in the genomic surveillance of Uyghur minority Muslims within China. Our genomes are the most
intimate data we have, the very betting blocks of our being, and we have a tantalizing potential of genomic medicine is great. It's unethical applications are equally concerning from the truly dystopian potential of advanced. weapons to the more mundane illegal harvesting of our data for Chinese commercial benefit. Based on the ample evidence of Chinese willingness to gather US data by any means, and the complicity of BGI and state-backed genomic surveillance, it is past time that action was taken to block the BGI sequencing technology.
Arkansas should not wait on the federal government to take these actions and as such, I support the passing of this bill. Thank you for your
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:37:20
time, and I'm happy to answer any questions. Thank you. Could you just go
through for me and just explain the bill just in layman's terms as to what you're trying to accomplish here. I
Speaker 271
1:37:32
mean, I appreciate that. I just Yeah, so, um, This bill, I know several amendments have been introduced to ensure that this is not going
to be overly disruptive to current healthcare within the state, but what it seeks to do is Uh, prohibit the procurement of new sequencing platforms from uh hostile foreign nations by far most notably is China, they have a company, BTI, which is competing with uh alumina and other domestic US sequencing companies and they've also set
up several US subsidiaries, so this this company has Uh, a track record of a willingness to work with Chinese um such as repression of Uighur Muslims uh within China, and so this is the type of company that we want to be buying their equipment when there's the potential for them to make nefarious uses of it, so um what's the name of the company again? BGI BGI genomics,
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:38:47
so, so how is this
Speaker 271
1:38:50
affecting Arkansas? Yeah, so, um, you know, genomics is increasingly moving from just the lab to um you know, the bedside, you know, genetic testing and genomic sequencing has more and more clinical applications. So, um, This is now a health care problem as well as just like a research question. So when hospitals are making decisions
and what equipment they're going to buy, as is the case with many other industries, uh, Chinese companies are often with state-backed support trying to undercut US companies and so they may be Tempted to choose BGI or other Chinese companies for their sequencing platforms that can be offered for cheaper, but um it it is in my opinion, an irresponsible decision to entrust that that Chinese
Speaker 276
1:39:52
company to safely handle the most private of patients data, which is their genomic information.
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:40:01
OK, thank you. Are there That Senator Payton.
Senator John Payton
Unverified
1:40:05
Thank you, Madam Chair. So basically you're saying that these foreign adversaries. Because they supply the equipment. For the testing could have access to the data that that that unintended. Yeah, so this is a it's buying included the
Speaker 271
1:40:22
Huawei example, um. The potential is there because these companies are mandated again by law to cooperate with Chinese state-backed, you know, data gathering this bill stop that by banning the use of the sequencers, you know, the purchasing of the sequencers and as well as their software, so um the sequencers are connected to the internet, they receive software updates, there's a potential for
nefarious updates to try to excel. Data and also um a big revenue source for these companies is the services that come after the sequencing, where they will have a cloud analysis environment, and they say, OK, we sequence your data, put it up into this cloud environment and we'll help you analyze and make sense of it, so that would also be another source of concern, you know, is pushing, uh, you know, US citizens, genomic data to a BGI
cloud where you know There would be ample opportunity for it to be misused
Senator John Payton
Unverified
1:41:28
at the bottom of page 2, section C there, line 33. I mean that paragraph seems to say
that we're gonna flush any machines we currently have and replace them. Is that the intent? What what page and where, uh, the bottom of page 2, section C. Start on
line 33 says all genetic sequencers and operational and research software used for genetic sequencers prohibited under this
section that are not permanently disabled, shall be removed and replaced with genetic sequencers and operational and research software that is not prohibited. So we're basically saying
we're gonna flush whatever's already out there that's that's under this ban and replace
Speaker 271
1:42:13
it. Um, I think there was an an amendment that was being considered that would just simply prevent future purchases and not um
Speaker 140
1:42:26
any we worked with UAMS on, on that language, um, and I'm so my question was going to be how much of it's
Senator John Payton
Unverified
1:42:33
out there and what's it going to cost us to,
Speaker 271
1:42:39
to throw it in the trash and replace it. Yes, um, uh, again, I, I think the
Speaker 74
1:42:45
there should be a Proposed amendment that will
Senator John Payton
Unverified
1:42:48
allows them to ask for a reimbursement. From the state I guess. Yeah, I know that
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
1:42:58
that, that we'd worked with UMS on the the language and, and they ended up being OK with, with this draft, so maybe they
Senator John Payton
Unverified
1:43:05
added the reimbursement, but I, I don't know. I think we'd need to know what that's going to cost. I'm sorry, could
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:43:14
you point to that section again, I'm talking about
Senator John Payton
Unverified
1:43:17
now is top of page 3. Let me reimbursement if I may, uh, Senator Payton, um, I
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
1:43:29
That amendment hasn't come through yet. Um, that's my bad, um, we just wanted him to testify today since he was in town, um, that amendment still needs to be sent down. I thought it had already been done on this because we've made other amendments to it and I thought that it had been incorporated into this version and it is not yet. So that, that will be corrected. um OK, let's go ahead and pull the bill
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:43:55
down then until we get that amendment, unless anybody's got
any additional questions? flew in today. So any additional questions for his testimony. Senator Love. OK, so I, I think,
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
1:44:08
I think I understand. But I, I didn't follow you, you initially in your testimony, but let, let me answer this, so. So we're trying to prevent What is this information being used for, I
would say if, if you're if. What is this information usually
being used for? Yeah, so it, um, it depends, but uh what can be used the information for it
is, I mean, because we're trying to prevent it from falling into the wrong hands, so how, how, how are you saying the information is being used
Speaker 271
1:44:48
when it when it falls into the foreign adversar's hands. Yeah, so there's the potential today to do some concerning things, you can Uh, the use of American genomic information can absolutely be used by
nefarious intentions within China to develop targeted bioweapons, I believe in the dossier that was shared. There are um uh a senior military officials within China who have publicly discussed this possibility and then It can also just be like the vast majority of intellectual property theft that occurs from China. Uh, it can just be used
to outcompete our domestic firms to bring genomic treatments to market by essentially stealing this data, and then the third thing I'll say is, It is a young field and in many ways we don't know yet what the full implications of people's genomic information will be. There are thousands of genes that we still don't understand the functions for, and so, um, if we do not safeguard this data today. There are, there's a level of concern with what can be done today, but there's the
Speaker 276
1:46:08
potential for far greater concern in 1015, 20 years. There,
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
1:46:13
there's a lot of protections that need to take place with the our genetic information, um, the, the one reason I've never done like a 23andMe is because in the fine print they, they have your. Access, I mean they have the rights to your DNA at that point, so I've never done it. Um, I would like to see some legislation in the future that Protects it on that level, um. Yeah
Who you won't be here to help. So, OK, but uh but, but that's a whole another uh thing, but we, we, we need to make steps. There there's back doors in this software that allows, could allow them to access and make a database of every American's genetic code and who knows, like he said, where, where this could go in the future, um, whether they could, you know, give you something to trigger certain genes or that are currently dormant. I mean, there's, there's a lot of
stuff out there with genetics we fully don't understand at this point and um I believe in our digital privacy. I've got a bill for that and I believe in our genetic privacy as well, so that's the, the main reason we have this bill, um, we, we've got the amendment. It's I just got word it's coming over from um but we're not going to hold this up now. We'll try to revisit it when the amendment gets here, um, it wasn't ready until just, just now, so, um. We'll go ahead and put this down unless there's any additional
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:47:41
questions. OK, sounds good. Appreciate you. Well, I mean, we're coming back this evening too, so once the amendment gets
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
1:47:47
here, you can have folks in town for 219 as well, but I we'll get to it whenever the chair uh I think Senator Leding has
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:47:54
somebody also that has flown in. So I'd like to go to him next. Thank you. Thank you. You said what, Bill?
Senator Greg Leding
Unverified
1:48:26
State Senator Greg Letting District 30 back in Fayetteville. Cinevi
Ron Cook
Unverified
1:48:37
507. My name is Ron Cook. I'm a native of Cersei and currently
Speaker 286
1:48:43
live in Malmo. Marianne McIntyre, um, I live in Bentonville, um, been in Arkansas about 25 years now. OK, thank you and thank
Senator Greg Leding
Unverified
1:48:51
you, Madam Chair, members of the committee. This bill is a little
simpler and more straightforward than the last one. Mr. Cook first reached out to
me at least 18 months ago or more, about his son. Mr. Cook is a resident here in central Arkansas. His senator is Senator English, a co-sponsor of this bill, but his son is a constituent of mine back home in Fayetteville and his son was receiving these behavioral analysis services that were beneficial to him, and I'll let Mr. Cook explain more there, but there is a rule. This is what you turn. 21, these services are no longer provided and we're not, we feel as though that restriction is
somewhat arbitrary and that these therapeutic services are beneficial to Arkansans and should be available to them beyond that time. So what we're doing here is just simply removing that age cap for these services, and with that, I will let Mr. Cook share more about his story. Thank
Speaker 289
1:49:46
you for being with us. Thank you, senators for the opportunity to share on behalf of and in support of this bill. Um, uh, my son, uh, has a
diagnosis of autism, and he also is served by Arkansas Medicaid CES waiver, which is an important part of this bill. This bill is designed to be fairly simple and straightforward. It's intended to be a rather narrow and it's targeted audience and those who would qualify, it's it's also noted that the services that it's um Um, presenting and, and uh
allowing would be under medical necessity, and so I hope that you'll take consideration of um the positive nature of this bill. My son has benefited by the applied behavior analysis therapy services are often called ABA therapy services for a number of years, um, and, uh, and as Senator Leding has said when he turned 21, Arkansas Medicaid discontinued
providing that therapy, uh, and unfortunately, um, uh based arbitrarily on his age. We have, um, he's a good case example of a person who even as a young adult is benefiting by this therapy. Now, uh, if, if you and I were want to go see a counselor, we're going to probably participated in what is It's called uh uh a layperson like myself would call
cognitive-based therapy, uh, but a person who has cognitive disabilities does not benefit by that therapy, uh, and so, uh, ABA therapy is specifically targeting behavior, uh, and it's proven through evidence-based research that it's effective. It's certainly been effective for my son, uh, and so he, his experiences of growing and maturing and developing coping skills as a result of this therapy, uh, certainly correspond to um to the research that's there.
Uh, so we'd like to see this bill move forward in your committee, um, uh, with the support that Arkansas Medicaid would be directed to pay for this. Now this ABA therapy is not new, um, 42 states. 42 states already cover through their Medicaid program. Uh, um, uh, ABA services for adults, um, and so we're, we're an outlier in regard to, uh,
covering these services for adults with autism. Florida is a pretty specific example. They've been doing this for over 3 decades. They um services for adults on the Medicaid CES waiver, um, is a much more robust and covers much broader audience than what this Bill proposes which limits it to persons in the CES waiver who have a diagnosis of autism, uh, but Florida is a good example of validating the importance of
this, the legitimacy of this therapy for this particular population group, um, I, uh, want to speak on behalf of my son who would say, uh, that he's benefited by this therapy, and he has asked his care coordinator with his past. When am I going to get doctors, Doctor Speerbacher whoever the therapist was. And so this is important to him, and I know it's important to a very narrow limited group of Arkansans who
can benefit by this. This is really for people who are on the CES waiver, who want to live at home and in community. They qualify to be institutionalized in a, in a technical policy level, but they want to live at home. They want to live in community. My son is being able to Go through this uh therapy. Uh, he's been able to hold a part-time job at a Chick fil A in Little Rock and in Fayetteville, uh, for now 5.5 years, uh, because of the support of this therapy, he's
been able to take part-time classes at the Community College in Northwest Arkansas. His his direct support professionals that he has in his life to help him have all been aided through this uh therapy, uh, coaching that they've received in support of of my son. So I hope that you'll take a look at this bill and find it uh a a useful investment. There's going to be concern, uh, some of you when I've talked to you have said, well, what's it going to cost? And the costs are gonna be uh
rather uh limited arguably because the, the target audience is a limited audience, and I would also suggest to you that you're going to the state of Arkansas is going to recoup costs, uh, through this preventive Intervention therapy, and I'll give you an example that's kind of close to home for me. Uh, the therapy is gonna reduce the number of in many cases, the number of first responders, the number of ER visits, the
ambulance rides, the number of acute care stays, all of which are charged to the taxpayers at a premium. And so this is an investment as much as it is an expense for the state of Arkansas, and the result of this investment is a person who is a Uh, participating member of the community, potentially a taxpayer and so I hope that you'll see this bill as an investment in a small group of Arkansans who would
qualify and he will have a life quality of life as a result of the support that you can give here and letting it get to your committee. Thank you for the opportunity, senators, to share today. Thank you.
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:55:53
I'm gonna turn the chair over to Senator Flip off to go run
a bill. I'll be right back. I appreciate it. My only question is, should this be limited to just folks with autism or are there other people, uh, that this may should apply to, uh, that also enjoy the or have the services for
Speaker 290
1:56:11
behavioral health. Um, that's a great question. in many states, it began with autism and some states have added other, other entities, other IDD, that's that are medically necessary. Most states
Speaker 291
1:56:22
have started with autism, and I'm, I'm gonna talk about that in a minute, OK, and I apologize, Senator Flippo is
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
1:56:29
going to take the chair. Thank you for answering my question. Sure. Um, it's,
Speaker 290
1:56:38
it's my pleasure to be here. I haven't been in this
Speaker 288
1:56:42
room in a while. I, I work for the State Department of Ed. I was one of the, um, coordinators over the behavior consultants, which meant we dealt with very challenging adolescence and and children. And so I have spoken before in these situations specific to autism. I always tell people my career kind of parallel to autism. Um, I'm a Tennessee native. We lived in 5 states. I always said I did autism when autism wasn't cool, OK, if you know Barbara Mandrell, that's her story too. People ask me,
did you choose this life? I said, no, I think it chose me, um, in grad school, I was interested in people that had the highest needs. I was a speech path for number of years I've been a board certified behavior analyst for 11 years. Um, I have a lot of hours above a master's degree as do people who are board certified behavior analysts. Um, I'm speaking on behalf of the people who can't speak for themselves, because I have such a long career pace to be old, um, I've seen children.
Benefit from services. I ran Vanderbilt's autism program in the 90s. We didn't have a program then either, and that was a big research hospital. Um, started a program for early intervention. Many of you know that story. So in the 90s when autism took off, states started to figure out what should we do about children? So children were addressed first. It took a long time to get all children the services that they need in the US. In the meantime, all those kids grew up, the biggest wave
of autism was in the 90s. Those kids are adults now. Unfortunately, many of them are in institutions because they still, because they're not able to live at home, or there's no place for them to live and many of them need specific methods of learning skills either to live or to be employed. And with that, they're, they're kind of at an end. So unfortunately, different than other types of illnesses. When you turn 21, your ability
in Arkansas. Some states, most states it is that that remain in that remaining 8 that don't serve all adults, it cuts off at 21. That means that some parents have to go home to take care of their kids because there's no one, they're not going to school 6 hours a day. There's not services for them that allow them to work. So not only do you have adults with autism that are not getting services. You have old families that are affected, um, 80% of
adults with autism still live at home in their twenties. Many of those are employable. Um, a lot of those never get a job, 40% of them actually never got a job. That's the 2024 statistics. I don't think it's gotten much better. So applied behavior analysis is, it's a scientific method has a long research base. It's not applied to just children, actually it's used in industries, it's used in the medical field and might help people who don't check their blood sugar often enough. It's a tailored approach who decides
what skill do you want to teach? Can you measure it? Can you observe it? How do you manipulate it? The only things we have control of are what we do before and what we do after. So, I'm going to jump in here. I want to open this up to questions for the members. We're going to
Senator Scott Flippo
Unverified
2:00:05
adjourn here in just about 15 minutes for lunch. We're going to session at 1, so we have got to have some time. I appreciate your comments, OK, members, are we don't understand the term for the committee. Senator Payton, you were recognized for a question. Thank you, and I don't know, I may need DHS to answer this, but
Senator John Payton
Unverified
2:00:22
just looking at the language of the
bill, I'm totally for what we're trying to. I think it's smart to take care of these people the correct way, but it says uh on line 24, the first page, Arkansas Medicare program shall cover. OK, then. You jump down to the end it says Department of Human Services shall apply for a federal waiver. But
if we're denied the waiver. Are we still, I mean, if, if the
federal Medicaid program does not cover what we're saying we're fixing to cover. Are we going to be stuck with 100% of the bill instead of the 70/30 match. No. There we go. Um, that is probably a better question
Speaker 296
2:01:07
for DHS. I would not be able to answer that from DHS here.
Speaker 26
2:01:27
Every time. Yeah, Miss Weatherton, can you turn your mics off over there so ours will
Senator John Payton
Unverified
2:01:49
work. OK, so yeah, there at the beginning of the
bill in Section 1A, it says Arkansas Medicaid program shall cover and we describe who we want to cover,
and I agree with that as long as we're getting our match, but when we separately down here indeed we say. That the DHS shall apply for the waiver. I mean, it
seems to me like the way that reads, we're covering it and we're instructing DHS to apply for the waiver, but But regardless of whether we get the waiver or not, we're covering it, so I'm wondering why we don't have language. That says we're covering it if. It's part
Speaker 300
2:02:25
of the match. OK, good question, Melissa Weatherton, um, director of Medicaid
Speaker 302
2:02:30
Specialty Populations. If you go back up to one on the first page on line 28. Where it says our participants
Speaker 303
2:02:37
in the community and employment services waiver, we are allowed to add any services to that waiver without federal approval
Speaker 305
2:02:43
and y'all's approval, frankly. So the requirement that they be a participant would
Senator John Payton
Unverified
2:02:48
mean that there's a waiver and that there's a, OK, thank you. And, yes, thanks. Melissa, do you have like
Speaker 135
2:02:54
a rough fiscal impact on this. We do. OK, look at that.
Speaker 300
2:03:00
Yes, may bring up my fiscal impact expert. It's a little bit more
Speaker 309
2:03:14
able to share it yet. 507 yeah. I have it. We're here to That's
Speaker 311
2:03:23
the range. Oh goodness. It's not $5. Pen
Speaker 187
2:03:31
OK. I'm sorry, Elizabeth Pitman at division of Medical Services. We
Speaker 178
2:03:37
have supplied this to DFNA but have not shared it with, with Senator Luding it. I just want to
Speaker 314
2:03:44
make sure everybody's aware. So you might be substantial yeah hold on to
Speaker 302
2:03:48
yourself. OK, so we did it on kind of like a graded range, so between, you know, what it would cost if 250 clients, 21 and older on this
Speaker 303
2:03:56
waiver asks for it up to what if
105804 clients, which is the number of clients on CES waiver with
Speaker 302
2:04:08
an autism diagnosis, OK? And the range is between. 11.9 million to 75.9 million. Which is federal share would be the bottom 8.3 million, state share would be 3.6. If we serve 1584 clients, the
Speaker 316
2:04:33
federal shares 52.9 million 23 million for the state. All right, thank
Speaker 120
2:04:41
you. All members your questions to me, Senator, your question, I guess the better question
Speaker 117
2:04:48
is how many persons with autism are Um Utilizing this
Speaker 319
2:04:53
therapy now. So right now we don't, um, Medicaid does not cover um applied behavioral analysis for anyone over the age of 21
Speaker 120
2:05:05
is 1500 receiving this service right now that are under 21 that are
Speaker 302
2:05:08
under 21. 21, I don't have that under 21 numbers, um, because
Speaker 120
2:05:12
that can give you the more accurate, like say for instance if if only 100 we have,
Speaker 303
2:05:17
we have a lot of children, they get ABA a lot. So I will tell you this on a fee for service, we spent about $40 million a year on ABA for children and that's in addition to what we pay the passes to care for children with autism,
um, we, we spent a lot of money on ABA and Medicaid. OK
Speaker 316
2:05:44
Or. All right. Are there any Senator Leding just one quick question to make sure I wrote it down wrong just to clarify
Senator Greg Leding
Unverified
2:05:50
on the state's share on the range, the state's share range from 3.6 to 23 million. That's OK. I just wanted to make,
that's OK. Just wanted to make sure I wrote it down, I wrote it down correctly around here. That's OK.
Speaker 258
2:06:05
just Write it down yourself and once we get it clearance we'll send you that that's what I had. Thank you.
Speaker 248
2:06:15
Thank you. Right, are there any further questions from members of the committee. All right, say no
Speaker 316
2:06:21
further questions. Do we have anybody to sign up to speak for or against this bill. Don't have any set it up. Senator, you're reckon that's
Speaker 328
2:06:31
close. with the committee's permission, Mr. Cook would like to make a
Speaker 289
2:06:36
brief comment. OK, yeah, I just want to emphasize um the
Speaker 287
2:06:42
the the narrow target of this bill, it's right before you, um, and, um, the, um, uh, the, the range that's presented is I would infer based on my experiences, uh, a range. Um, I would also
Speaker 289
2:06:58
point out that this bill does have has been received bipartisan support and so I asked the
committee to advance the bill for further consideration on behalf of the small group of Arkansans who will benefit, um, in a significant way. Thank you. closing just real quick, all I
Senator Greg Leding
Unverified
2:07:19
will say is again we are talking about a narrow group of Arkansans and as Mr. Cook pointed out, while there is
a considerable investment on the front end though again the state share would range from 3.6 million to 23. million, which was news to me today there are downstream savings by the reduced visits to ER and
first responder calls, so we do believe that this is
Senator Scott Flippo
Unverified
2:07:43
an investment worth making, and I would move if now is the appropriate time to pass. All right. We've got a mushroom do passed by Senator Ludding, a seconded by Senator Hill in a discussion on the motion.
Senator John Payton
Unverified
2:07:55
Senator Peyton, you're recognized for discussion. I really had a question, but I didn't get
in there in time, um. So maybe in discussion since your committee member, um, Is it based on my Decalculating of what the fiscal
impact is here. We're talking about $48,000 per person. In the program, $4000 a month. Does that sound like they're their own target with their estimate? Is it, is it that is the service we're
talking about really that much per person? I would not have that answer. I
Speaker 287
2:08:31
have, I don't have a handle on that. This is the first that the numbers have been presented to us. What I can say is that the bill is written to
Speaker 289
2:08:41
be narrow in scope as a way to be physically responsible and what our argument is also is that the state taxpayers are going to recoup those costs, uh, through this preventative intervention therapy. I understand. I just
Senator John Payton
Unverified
2:08:55
wanted to check their math and and if they're figuring 4800. And $47,971
per person. Thank you. All right, thank you, Senator Payton. All
Senator Scott Flippo
Unverified
2:09:06
right, so we've got a motion by Senator Ludding.
Seconded by Senator Hill, see no further discussion on the motion. But I'll send our Penzo to get back here. All right. All in favor, say aye, aye opposed. Congratulations, Senator, your bill passes. All right, Senator Penzo, you want to do a House concurrent resolution on 1009. All right. Going down.
Speaker 316
2:09:45
And introduced your guest or let you both introduce
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
2:09:49
yourselves for the record, who you're with, John Warmack from Texarkana. Pennzo
Senate District 31, uh, I'll let, uh, Mr. Warmack, uh, Speak for a few minutes. One
minute or less. This is a resolution House concurrent resolution 1009. It's probably the last in your stack, very bottom. This is a resolution asking the
Speaker 334
2:10:15
Arkansas Congressional delegation to introduce federal legislation to fund $10 million to the Department of Higher Education and institution to complete Act 2, the economic study analysis in Act 259 of 2023. So it doesn't cost us anything, it brings $10 million into the state. All right, members, you've heard an explanation of
Speaker 335
2:10:38
the House concurrent resolution or any questions to the committee? Right
Senator Scott Flippo
Unverified
2:10:48
See no questions. Have anybody sign up to speak for or against this. Don't see anybody. So, you reckon I say close? Clothes for the bill and ask for a good vote. All right, what's the will of the committee? motion by Senator Love, seconded by Senator Penzo. Any discussion on the motion? Say none. All in favor say aye. opposed. Congratulations. Thank you. All right, I'll tell you what.
Speaker 337
2:11:13
We are going to adjourn. What, what do you got?
Senator Scott Flippo
Unverified
2:11:19
to have They never, no. Alright, we're gonna recess, we're going to come back in here upon adjournment, but for the time being we will stand in recess.
Agenda
CALL TO ORDER
SB587 G. Leding TO CREATE THE PARENTS' PEACE OF MIND ACT; TO ESTABLISH AUTHORIZATION FOR AND USE OF A MONITORING DEVICE IN A LONG-TERM CARE FACILITY; TO PROVIDE FOR WAIVERS; AND TO PROVIDE FOR ENFORCEMENT AND PENALTIES.
SB347 C. Penzo TO REQUIRE THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM TO INCREASE REIMBURSEMENT RATES FOR CERTAIN DENTAL SERVICES AND TO SET AN ANNUAL REIMBURSEMENT CAP FOR ADULT DENTAL SERVICES.
SB576 B. Davis TO AMEND THE COVERAGE OF CONTINUOUS GLUCOSE MONITORS WITHIN THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM.
SB497 D. Wallace TO REQUIRE THE CREATION OF A POSTER REGARDING VETERANS' BENEFITS AND SERVICES; AND TO REQUIRE CERTAIN EMPLOYERS TO DISPLAY THE POSTER.
SB507 G. Leding TO REQUIRE THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM TO COVER APPLIED BEHAVIOR ANALYSIS SERVICES FOR CERTAIN BENEFICIARIES.
SB546 K. Hammer TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE TRUST FUND CONTRIBUTION FEE FOR WATER PERMITS RELATED TO NONMUNICIPAL DOMESTIC SEWAGE TREATMENT WORKS.
SB532 Hester TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "SPECIALTY HOSPITAL" RELATING TO THE ASSESSMENT FEE ON HOSPITALS UNDER THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM.
SB557 M. Johnson TO AMENDS LAW CONCERNING WATER PERMITS AND DISCHARGE OF WASTEWATER; TO AUTHORIZE DENIALS OF APPLICANTS THAT HAVE A HISTORY OF NONCOMPLIANCE; AND TO PROHIBIT CERTAIN DISCHARGE OF WASTEWATER.
SB312 Stone TO REMOVE THE MORATORIUM ON THE CONSTRUCTION OR ADDITION OF ANY ADDITIONAL BEDS WITHIN PSYCHIATRIC RESIDENTIAL TREATMENT FACILITIES
SB556 M. Johnson TO PROTECT PUBLIC DRINKING WATER SOURCES; AND TO PROHIBIT SURFACE DISCHARGE OF WASTEWATER INTO A WATERSHED.
SB560 J. English TO DECREASE THE BASE CONTRIBUTION RATE; TO INCREASE THE ADMINISTRATIVE ASSESSMENT RATE; TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR THE SKILLED WORKFORCE IN THIS STATE; AND TO AMEND THE DIVISION OF WORKFORCE SERVICES TRAINING TRUST FUND.
SB585 G. Leding TO REQUIRE CERTAIN RECORDS BE PROVIDED TO AN EMPLOYEE WHO IS A MINOR.
SB589 C. Penzo TO CREATE THE 340B PROGRAM TRANSPARENCY ACT; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING TRANSPARENCY AND ACCOUNTABILITY FOR CERTAIN 340B-COVERED ENTITIES.
SB591 C. Penzo TO PROHIBIT RACE-SELECTION ABORTION IN THIS STATE; AND TO CREATE THE RACE DISCRIMINATION BY ABORTION PROHIBITION ACT.
SB474 C. Penzo TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMS; AND TO ALLOW THE BOARD OF A PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM TO PROHIBIT FLUORIDATION OF THE WATER IN THE PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM.
SB444 K. Hammer TO AMEND THE MEDICAL ETHICS AND DIVERSITY ACT.
SB306 C. Penzo TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO APPLY FOR A HOME- AND COMMUNITY-BASED SERVICES WAIVER FOR THE AGING AND ELDERLY POPULATION IN THIS STATE
SB311 C. Penzo TO CREATE THE END ORGAN AND GENOMIC HARVESTING ACT; TO PROHIBIT COVERAGE OF CERTAIN HUMAN ORGAN TRANSPLANT OR POST-TRANSPLANT CARE; AND TO PROHIBIT CERTAIN GENETIC SEQUENCERS AND GENETIC ANALYSIS TECHNOLOGIES.
SB2 C. Penzo TO REPEAL THE STATEWIDE FLUORIDATION PROGRAM; AND TO REMOVE THE MANDATE FOR WATER SYSTEMS TO MAINTAIN A FLUORIDE CONTENT.
SB269 C. Penzo TO AMEND THE REQUIREMENTS REGARDING LOCATIONS FOR AND GEOGRAPHIC AREAS OF A HOSPICE AGENCY.
SB262 C. Penzo TO AMEND THE CORPORATE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE DOCTRINE; AND TO AUTHORIZE A LICENSED MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL WHO OWNS A MEDICAL CORPORATION TO MAINTAIN OWNERSHIP UPON AN INACTIVE LICENSE OR RETIREMENT.
SB255 C. Penzo TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "DRUG" WITHIN THE FOOD, DRUG, AND COSMETIC ACT; AND TO DECLARE AN EMERGENCY.
SB225 J. Scott TO REQUIRE THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM TO PROVIDE A CATEGORY FOR BENEFICIARIES WITH SICKLE CELL DISEASE.
SB217 C. Penzo TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO REQUEST A WAIVER TO EXCLUDE CANDY AND SOFT DRINKS FROM ELIGIBLE FOODS UNDER THE SUPPLEMENTAL NUTRITION ASSISTANCE PROGRAM.
SB122 C. Penzo TO AMEND THE AUTOMATIC OCCUPATIONAL LICENSURE FOR OUT-OF-STATE LICENSURE ACT; TO APPLY THE AUTOMATIC OCCUPATIONAL LICENSURE FOR OUT-OF-STATE LICENSURE ACT TO PHYSICIANS.
SB121 C. Penzo TO AMEND THE AUTOMATIC OCCUPATIONAL LICENSURE FOR OUT-OF-STATE LICENSURE ACT; TO APPLY THE AUTOMATIC OCCUPATIONAL LICENSURE FOR OUT-OF-STATE LICENSURE ACT TO PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS.
SB95 C. Penzo TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS ATHLETIC TRAINERS ACT; AND TO CLARIFY THE DEFINITION OF "ATHLETE" WITHIN THE ARKANSAS ATHLETIC TRAINERS ACT.
SB110 C. Penzo TO AUTHORIZE CERTIFIED NURSE AIDES OR CERTIFIED NURSING ASSISTANTS WHO PROVIDE IN-HOME SERVICES TO BENEFICIARIES IN THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM TO PERFORM ADDITIONAL CARE AND DUTIES.
SB601 Hester TO CREATE A PATHWAY FOR A GRADUATE OF A FOREIGN MEDICAL SCHOOL TO BE LICENSED IN THIS STATE IF HE OR SHE IS OFFERED FULL-TIME EMPLOYMENT AS A PHYSICIAN FROM A HEALTHCARE PROVIDER.
SB603 C. Tucker TO REQUIRE AN AIR AMBULANCE TO CONTACT THE ARKANSAS TRAUMA SYSTEM FOR DIRECTION ON THE BEST DESTINATION TO TRANSPORT A PERSON.
SB606 B. Davis TO AMEND THE USED TIRE RECYCLING AND ACCOUNTABILITY ACT; TO CREATE THE TIRE MANAGEMENT AND RECYCLING ACT; TO REPEAL THE USED TIRE RECYCLING FUND; AND TO CREATE THE WASTE TIRE ABATEMENT FUND.
HB1186 Vaught TO CREATE THE PAIN RELIEF PARITY ACT; AND TO REQUIRE PAIN RELIEF PARITY IN THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM.
HB1131 Pilkington TO AUTHORIZE AN ADVANCED PRACTICE REGISTERED NURSE TO DELEGATE CERTAIN TASKS TO MEDICAL ASSISTANTS AND OTHER UNLICENSED STAFF.
HB1171 K. Moore TO MODIFY THE MEDICAID PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CARE ACT; AND TO AUTHORIZE AN ABBREVIATED INDEPENDENT ASSESSMENT FOR CERTAIN BENEFICIARIES ENROLLED IN A RISK-BASED PROVIDER ORGANIZATION.
HB1403 Pilkington TO AMEND THE ARKANSAS HEALTH AND OPPORTUNITY FOR ME ACT OF 2021 TO ALLOW NONHOSPITAL ENTITIES TO BE COMMUNITY BRIDGE ORGANIZATIONS.
HB1439 Ladyman TO REMOVE THE CERTIFICATION PROCESS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES FROM LICENSURE AS A PRIVATE CARE AGENCY.
HB1440 Bentley TO AMEND THE MASSAGE THERAPY ACT; AND TO ESTABLISH REGISTRATION FOR MASSAGE THERAPY ESTABLISHMENTS.
HB1454 Bentley TO AMEND THE LAWS CONCERNING CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORDS CHECKS FOR EMPLOYEES OF SERVICE PROVIDERS; TO ALLOW THIRD-PARTY EMPLOYEE EVALUATION SERVICES TO PERFORM CRIMINAL HISTORY RECORDS CHECKS; AND TO INCLUDE INDEPENDENT CONTRACTORS.
HB1456 Rose TO AMEND THE STATE KIDNEY DISEASE COMMISSION TO BE AN ADVISORY COUNCIL TO THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH.
HB1251 L. Johnson TO ESTABLISH THE ARKANSAS ANESTHESIOLOGIST ASSISTANT ACT; AND TO PROVIDE FOR LICENSURE OF ANESTHESIOLOGIST ASSISTANTS.
HB1458 L. Johnson TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "CREDENTIALING INFORMATION" WHEN THE ARKANSAS STATE MEDICAL BOARD IS PROVIDING INFORMATION TO CREDENTIALING ORGANIZATIONS.
HB1537 Ladyman TO REPEAL THE LOCATION ACT FOR COMMUNITY HOMES FOR INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES.
HB1428 Steimel TO AMEND THE LAW REGARDING PUBLIC LODGING; AND TO PROVIDE A BED HEIGHT REQUIREMENT FOR MOBILITY ACCESSIBLE ROOMS.
HB1523 Vaught CONCERNING MISSING PERSONS ALERTS; TO CODIFY THE ARKANSAS AMBER ALERT SYSTEM; TO CODIFY THE ARKANSAS SILVER ALERT SYSTEM; AND TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS PURPLE ALERT SYSTEM.
HB1442 Achor TO SET RESTRICTIONS ON PHARMACY CONTRACTING AND CONFLICTS OF INTEREST; AND TO ESTABLISH PHARMACEUTICAL PATIENT FREEDOM OF CHOICE.
HB1471 Wooldridge TO AMEND THE EXPIRATION DATE OF ALL LICENSES OF THE BOARD OF EXAMINERS IN SPEECH-LANGUAGE PATHOLOGY AND AUDIOLOGY.
HB1185 L. Johnson TO ADOPT THE DIETITIAN LICENSURE COMPACT IN ARKANSAS.
HB1559 McGrew TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HUMAN SERVICES TO SEEK A WAIVER TO THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM FOR COVERAGE FOR INPATIENT TREATMENT SERVICES FOR SUBSTANCE USE DISORDERS.
HB1429 M. Shepherd TO INCREASE ACCESSIBILITY WHILE ENSURING QUALITY FOR CERTAIN FACILITIES PERFORMING MAMMOGRAPHY SERVICES; AND TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING THE QUALITY STANDARDS FOR ACCREDITATION OF FACILITIES FOR MAMMOGRAPHY.
HB1285 L. Johnson TO ESTABLISH AN EXEMPTION PROGRAM FOR AMBULANCE SERVICE'S OPERATORS FOR CERTAIN HEALTHCARE SERVICES.
HB1576 Lundstrum TO PROHIBIT A SOLID WASTE LANDFILL TO BE PLACED OVER A KARST TOPOGRAPHY.
HB1218 J. Mayberry TO CREATE LICENSURE FOR THERAPEUTIC RECREATION SPECIALISTS; AND TO CREATE THE THERAPEUTIC RECREATION PRACTICE ACT.
HB1682 Puryear TO CREATE THE GOOD NEIGHBOR ACT; AND TO CLARIFY FOOD DONATION LIABILITY AND IMMUNITY.
HB1252 L. Johnson TO ESTABLISH THE CERTIFIED COMMUNITY-BASED DOULA CERTIFICATION ACT; AND TO CERTIFY BIRTH AND POSTPARTUM DOULAS IN THIS STATE TO IMPROVE MATERNAL AND INFANT OUTCOMES.
HB1585 L. Johnson TO PROVIDE AN EXCEPTION FROM LICENSURE AS A HOME HEALTHCARE SERVICE TO AN ENTITY THAT SOLELY PROVIDES THERAPY SERVICES THAT ARE NOT REIMBURSED BY MEDICARE PART A.
HB1712 Joey Carr TO ESTABLISH THE SOCIAL WORK LICENSURE COMPACT IN THIS STATE.
HB1582 McAlindon TO REQUIRE CERTAIN ACTIONS AND ENCOURAGE CERTAIN ACTIONS FOR AN INDIVIDUAL TO BE ELIGIBLE FOR BENEFITS UNDER THE DIVISION OF WORKFORCE SERVICES LAW.
HB1622 Gramlich TO AMEND THE MEDICAID FAIRNESS ACT; TO MODIFY THE DEFINITION OF "ADVERSE DECISION" UNDER THE MEDICAID FAIRNESS ACT; AND TO PROVIDE FOR ADMINISTRATIVE RECONSIDERATION UNDER THE MEDICAID FAIRNESS ACT.
HB1619 Gramlich TO SET ADMINISTRATION FEES UNDER THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM FOR IMMUNIZATIONS AND MONOCLONAL ANTIBODIES FOR RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS DISEASE; AND TO PROVIDE CIVIL IMMUNITY.
HB1734 Childress TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING DEATH CERTIFICATES; AND TO CLARIFY THE MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS WHO MAY SIGN A MEDICAL CERTIFICATE OF DEATH AND PRONOUNCE DEATH OF A PATIENT.
HB1758 Gramlich TO AMEND THE LAW CONCERNING HEARING INSTRUMENT DISPENSERS; AND TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "PRACTICE OF DISPENSING HEARING INSTRUMENTS".
HB1255 Wooldridge TO AMEND THE COVERAGE OF A CONTINUOUS GLUCOSE MONITOR IN THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM.
HB1241 J. Mayberry TO ENSURE THAT THE ARKANSAS MEDICAID PROGRAM REIMBURSES FOR DENTAL AND ANESTHESIA COSTS FOR HIGH COMPLEXITY ORAL HEALTH CARE.
HB1679 M. Brown TO AMEND THE REVISED ARKANSAS ANATOMICAL GIFT ACT; TO ALLOW CERTAIN CLASSES OF PERSONS TO REVOKE OR AMEND AN ANATOMICAL GIFT UPON THE DEATH OF THE DONOR; AND TO REQUIRE CERTAIN REPORTING OF PROCUREMENT ORGANIZATIONS.
HB1782 Hudson TO PROHIBIT OVER-THE-COUNTER DIET PILLS FROM BEING SOLD, TRANSFERRED, OR OTHERWISE FURNISHED TO A PERSON WHO IS UNDER EIGHTEEN YEARS OF AGE.
HB1543 Underwood TO ESTABLISH THE WORKFORCE EXPERIENCE OPPORTUNITIES ACT OF 2025.
HB1767 L. Johnson TO ABOLISH THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ADVISORY COUNCIL; AND TO CREATE THE EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES ADVISORY COMMITTEE.
HB1801 K. Moore TO AUTHORIZE AN OUTSOURCING FACILITY OF LEGEND DRUGS AND CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES THAT COMPOUNDS A PRODUCT TO SELL THE COMPOUNDED PRODUCT TO CERTAIN ENTITIES.
HB1817 L. Johnson TO ESTABLISH ELIJAH'S LAW IN ARKANSAS; AND TO REQUIRE THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION TO ESTABLISH A STATEWIDE ANAPHYLAXIS POLICY FOR CHILDCARE FACILITIES.
HB1840 L. Johnson TO AMEND THE MEDICAID PROVIDER-LED ORGANIZED CARE ACT TO ENSURE THAT SEDATION DENTISTRY IS COVERED BY RISK-BASED PROVIDER ORGANIZATIONS.
HB1841 L. Johnson TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS REVENUE INVESTMENT IN VITAL EMS SYSTEMS (ARRIVES) ACT; AND TO CREATE THE ARKANSAS REVENUE INVESTMENT IN VITAL EMS SYSTEMS (ARRIVES) FUND FOR EMERGENCY MEDICAL SERVICES AGENCIES.
HB1004 Pilkington TO REQUIRE MEDICAID COVERAGE FOR POSTPARTUM MOTHERS FOR ONE YEAR AFTER GIVING BIRTH.
HB1187 Vaught TO AUTHORIZE A LICENSURE BY ENDORSEMENT FOR MARRIAGE AND FAMILY THERAPISTS.
HB1677 Bentley TO AUTHORIZE ALCOHOL AND DRUG ABUSE TREATMENT PROGRAMS TO MAINTAIN EMERGENCY MEDICATION KITS.
HB1751 Underwood TO REQUIRE AN APPLICANT FOR TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE FOR NEEDY FAMILIES PROGRAM BENEFITS TO ENGAGE IN JOB SEARCH ACTIVITIES WHILE THE APPLICATION IS BEING PROCESSED.
HB1784 Wardlaw TO MODIFY THE INFORMAL DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROCESS FOR LONG-TERM CARE FACILITIES.
HCR1009 Ladyman TO COMPLY WITH ARKANSAS ACTS 2023, NO. 259; TO REQUEST FEDERAL FUNDING FOR THE NEXT STUDY PHASE; AND TO PETITION THE ARKANSAS CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION TO INTRODUCE FEDERAL LEGISLATION TO RECTIFY CERTAIN ENERGY ISSUES.
SERVICES; AND TO AMEND THE DEFINITION OF "EMPLOYEE" UNDER THE WORKERS' COMPENSATION LAW RESULTING FROM INITIATED ACT 4 OF 1948.
ADJOURNED
Documents
| Title | Type | Pages | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Agenda — PUBLIC HEALTH WELFARE AND LABOR COMMITTEE - SENATE AND HOUSE, Apr 2, 2025 | Agenda | 5 | Official source ↗ |
Speakers
Senator Dave Wallace
Unverified
Senator Breanne Davis
Unverified
Speaker 27
Speaker 29
Speaker 32
Senator Fredrick J. Love
Unverified
Senator John Payton
Unverified
Speaker 40
Senator Kim Hammer
Unverified
Speaker 54
Speaker 58
Speaker 69
Speaker 71
Senator Missy Irvin
Unverified
Speaker 79
Speaker 84
Senator Clint Penzo
Unverified
Speaker 99
Speaker 101
Speaker 103
Speaker 113
Speaker 114
Speaker 102
Speaker 118
Senator Jane English
Unverified
Speaker 142
Speaker 61
Speaker 153
Speaker 155
Speaker 157
Speaker 161
Speaker 163
Speaker 174
Speaker 144
Speaker 178
Speaker 164
Speaker 183
Speaker 187
Speaker 166
Speaker 196
Speaker 198
Speaker 47
Senator Greg Leding
Unverified
Speaker 216
Rhonda Finley
Unverified
Speaker 219
Speaker 220
Deborah Stewart
Unverified
Speaker 120
Chair
Unverified
Speaker 188
Speaker 239
Speaker 242
Speaker 244
Speaker 149
Senator Scott Flippo
Unverified
Rachel Bunch
Unverified
Speaker 260
Speaker 266
Speaker 271
Speaker 276
Speaker 140
Speaker 74
Ron Cook
Unverified
Speaker 286
Speaker 289
Speaker 290
Speaker 291
Speaker 288
Speaker 296
Speaker 26
Speaker 300
Speaker 302
Speaker 303
Speaker 305
Speaker 135
Speaker 256
Speaker 309
Speaker 311
Speaker 246
Speaker 314
Speaker 316
Speaker 117
Speaker 319
Speaker 258
Speaker 248
Speaker 328
Speaker 287
Speaker 334
Speaker 335
Speaker 337