Subcommittee advances several health and human services bills; multiple items tabled or substituted

The House Appropriations Subcommittee on Health and Human Resources met Feb. 7 and acted on a series of bills that had been previously heard in their originating committees, focusing on appropriation implications rather than additional testimony.

The panel voted 7–0 to strike HB 12 45 after the patron asked the subcommittee to remove the bill from consideration. The committee reported HB 13 57 as a substitute directing the Department of Aging and Rehabilitative Services to convene a work group to study nursing facility care and submit findings and recommendations by Sept. 15, 2027.

Other actions taken included reporting a substitute for HB 7 94 that directs the Department of Health to develop a strategic opioid-response plan funded by a one-time $150,000 from the Commonwealth Opioid Remediation Fund, and reporting HB 4 70 (consumer-directed services) by a recorded vote. HB 4 83, which had been passed previously by the General Assembly, was reported by the subcommittee 6–1.

Several items were gently laid on the table for later consideration, including HB 3 35 (an independent pharmacy access and resilience pilot) and HB 8 23 (reimbursement for direct support professionals under limited hospital circumstances). Where recorded, the transcript shows motions being properly moved and seconded and votes entered on the record; specific mover/second names were not consistently provided in the transcript.

The committee then turned to two scheduled presentations and adjourned after hearing from agency staff.

What to watch next: reported bills will proceed to the next steps in the legislature and laid-on-the-table items may be returned to the docket in a future session or committee meeting.