Committee reviews tobacco‑settlement report and several health‑ and Medicaid‑related rules; multiple rules set for review

The Senate Public Health, Welfare and Labor Committee heard a range of informational reports and rule reviews from state health agencies.

Department of Health staff presented the Tobacco Settlement Commission quarterly report for April–June 2023, highlighting increased education and outreach, growth in Medicaid‑funded services and expanded deployment of a mobile health unit. Liz Gates of the UAMS College of Public Health described student enrollment and the planned Arkansas Health Survey to collect county‑level health and access data.

The Department of Human Services presented rule updates prompted by federal PERM audit requirements, including payment‑error mitigation steps and a change allowing Medicaid reimbursement to primary care providers for developmental screens rather than relying solely on a vendor. Janet Mann, Medicaid director, said the rules had public hearings and no BLR questions and that the rules were taken "for review" by the committee without objection.

Division of Developmental Disability Services staff described reestablishing licensure standards for community employment supports to replace an earlier manual that had been sunsetted. The committee acknowledged the change and took the rule for review.

Department of Health presenters also reviewed proposed controlled‑substance scheduling changes; public comment prompted the removal of Xylazine from the current proposal for further study. The committee also accepted several occupational‑licensure rule updates (Board of Sanitarians, water operator licensing and septic‑tank cleaner rules) that implement Acts 137 and 457 of 2023.

Most rules were placed "for review" without recorded objections; agency staff said they would circulate handouts and a DEQ one‑pager on wastewater permitting to committee staff and constituents.