Senate Standing Committee on Human Services

Good afternoon. The Senate Human Services Committee will now come to order. Good afternoon. We're holding our Committee hearings here in 1021 O Street. I ask that all Members of the Committee please be present in room 2200 so we can establish a quorum and take action.

We have nine bills on today's agenda, five of which are on the proposed consent calendar. We do not yet have a quorum, so entertain a motion on the consent calendar when we establish a quorum. Let me summarize the bills on the consent calendar those consist of. File item 2, AB 553 by Assembly Member Coloza.

File item 3, AB 562 by Assemblymere Solache. File item 4, Assembly Bill 752 by Assembly Member Ávila Farías. File item 5, AB896 by Assembly Member Elhawary and file item 6, AB898 by Assembly Member Bryan. So once again, we'll entertain a motion on the consent calendar at the appropriate time.

But since we do have a Subcommitee present, we will begin our bill presentations and we'll take up measures in file order. And I see we have Assemblymember Bennett here, so we'll begin with filing one AB320. Good afternoon.

And if there are any principal witnesses in support, please join us here at the table and I turn over to you.

Assemblymember, Good afternoon. Good afternoon, Mr. Chairman and Members. I'd like to start by accepting the amendments from the Committee. And that's really the only reason we were here. I'm sure we'd be on the consent. Calendar because this Bill has had bipartisan support. But very quickly, AB300 will ensure the.

Compensation earned by student board Members of county boards of education won't be considered income from means tested assistance programs such as CalWORKS and Medi Cal. This Bill received bipartisan support as I said in the Assembly. And with me today, in support is Pam Gibbs from the LA County Office of Education.

Good afternoon Mr. Chair and Senators. Pamela Gibbs and I am the Executive Director of Governmental Relations for the Los Angeles County Office of Education and we are proud sponsors of AB320. Student board Members have served on the Los Angeles County Board of education since the 2022, 2023 school year.

And during this time, we have worked regularly with the student board Members to ensure that they have meaningful participation in the County Board of Education meetings by helping them to understand the purpose and significance of of the matters that come before the board.

We have witnessed firsthand the tremendous growth student board Members have had during their respective terms and we have had the honor of seeing the student board Members progress from learning what their role is and being hesitant to speak during Board Meetings and then openly asking engaging and critical questions regarding an array of items that are being presented before the board.

Sharing meaningful updates on student centered matters and finding their voices through civic engagement.

AB320 would ensure that student boards of education are able to continue to receive this valuable talented students participation as student board Members, while ensuring that all of them are able to fully serve in this critical role without risking their or their families, food and eligibility for assistance programs.

In the words of one of our former student board Members who just graduated, this role had a profound impact on students at my school throughout the county and even across California, as it proves to youth that their perspectives are being taken seriously in educational decision making.

It inspires students to recognize their ability to bring their own voice into spaces traditionally dominated by adults. For these reasons, we urge your support for AB320 and I'm happy to answer any questions you may have.

Thank you so very much. Are there any other principal witnesses in support? Also there any Members of the public wishing to express support for Assembly Bill 320, please approach the microphone. State your name, affiliation, position on the Bill.

Martha Guerrero representing Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in support.

Thank you.

Yesenia Jimenez with End Child Poverty in California, in support.

Thank you. Amanda Kirchner, CWDA, in support.

Great. Thank you very much. Any other Members of the public wishing to express support? If not, we'll take up to two principal witnesses in opposition. If there are any, seeing none. Is there any Member of the public wish to express opposition AB320? And seeing none.

I'll bring it back to the Committee for any questions or comments from Committee Members. I agree with assembler Bennett. If we didn't have to make this technical amendment, this would have been on consent and my recommendation is an aye as amended.

Unless there's any other questions or comments, I'll turn it back over to you Assemblymember to close on the Bill. Respectfully ask for an aye vote. Okay, thank you. We will make a motion at the appropriate time. We establish a quorum. But thank you very much. Pleasure to meet you too. Yes, likewise. With that we'll proceed.

I see a similar Arambula here, so we'll go to his Bill. Out of order file item 8 AB 1220 by Assemblymember Arambula. Good afternoon and I'll turn over to you Assemblymember to presenting your Bill.

Thank you. I want to start by accepting the Committee amendments and thanking the Committee staff for their diligent work on this Bill. Californians with developmental disabilities deserve the right to live independent and full lives. Regional Centers of California were established in 1966 to assess the needs of clients and facilitate access to supports and services.

Unfortunately, disparities in service and support provided by Regional Centers have continued to persist, especially among Latino, Black, indigenous and non English speaking communities. Currently, Regional Centers report appeals data to the Department of Developmental Services. There is no formal mechanism for tracking service denials or notices of actions.

This lack of oversight hinders transparency and accountability, allowing disparities to continue unaddressed. AB 1220 would require the Regional Center to document in an individual program plan all of the consumers, denials of services, notices of actions, and appeals.

This Bill also requires the Department and the Regional Centers to include data regarding denials, notices of actions and appeals in their annual report. Establishing a statewide reporting system would enhance oversight, reduce inequities, and strengthen public trust in the developmental and disabilities system. In support of AB 1220, today is our lead witness, Patricia Albieno.

Hi, Good afternoon. You have two minutes to present the Bill.

Good afternoon everyone. My name is Patricia Albino and I am the parent of a 20 year old individual with a developmental disability.

I'm also a Member of El Art De California Coalition and I support and work with Spanish speaking families who have children with developmental disabilities by providing information and education on how to effectively navigate the different disability systems to ensure that they are better able to advocate for their loved ones.

Families like mine who are part of the Regional Center system are often denied so crucial services that individuals are entitled to. In California. These denials are not documented and we are left with no recourse and without guidance as to how to appeal these decisions. This lack of transparency and support leaves families feeling powerless and discouraged.

AB 1220 addresses this issue by requiring the Regional Centers to document all service denials, notices of actions and appeals directly in the client's individual program plan. This ensures that families have a clear record of decisions made and can better understand the rights and options.

Families often face overwhelming challenges when trying to access services and when trying to understand decisions about their children's care. Care AB 1220 offers a clear path forward, removing confusion, promoting transparency and helping families focus on what truly matters, supporting their loved ones. As a parent and advocate, I urge you to support AB 1220.

This Bill is a critical step forward, ensuring accountability and fairness in a system that touches thousands of families. Your support can help bring clarity and justice to those who need it most. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Thank you very much. Are there any other witnesses in support of AB 1220? We'll take any Me Too testimony in support of AB 1220. If you can please approach the microphone, state your name, affiliation and position on the Bill.

My name is Jeffrey Tartagila, an advocate and a Member of the California for SSI coalition and being some other individuals with ARC and a few other things, strong in support. Thank you, sir.

Are there any other Members of the public wishing to express support for AB12 20? If so, if you can please approach the microphone and state your name, affiliation and position on the Bill. Okay. Seeing no additional witnesses in support. Will take up to two principal witnesses in opposition to AB 1220. If there are any.

Is there anybody wishing to express opposition to AB 1220? Okay. Seeing none. Bring it back to the Committee for discussion. We do have a quorum, so I'd like to ask the Committee assistant please call the roll.

Here at a game here. Achoa Bogue. Present. Becker?

Becker. Present. Limon Wahab.

Present.

Okay, thank you. So bring it back to the Committee for any questions or comments. Assembly Bill 1220, Senator Becker.

Appreciate the author and I'll move the Bill when appropriate.

Thank you. Any other questions or comments on AB 1220? I'll just say thank you very much for bringing this forward.

You know, I've met with family Members who receive services from dds and I think this is really important to understand the circumstances in which denials happen, how people can appeal those denials and make sure people get access to services. So thank you for bringing this forward.

Thank you very much for your testimony and for your advocacy as well.

Thank you.

Unless there are any other questions or comments, I'll turn it back over to Assemblymember to close on the Bill.

Thank you for the opportunity to present. I respectfully ask for an aye vote.

Okay, thank you. We have a motion by Becker which is do pass as amended to the Committee on Appropriations. If the Committee assistant can please call the roll.

Pile. Item 8, AB 1220, motion is due. Pass as amended to Appropriations Committee, aye. Ochoa Bogue. Ochoa Bogue. Aye. Becker, Aye. Becker, Aye. Limon Wahab.

Thank you. We'll keep that Bill on call. Thank you so much. Assembly Member. I see we have Assembly Member Majority Leader Aguiar Curry here. So we will go next to file item seven, AB904. Good afternoon. If there are any principal witnesses, if you can please join us here at the table. Thank you.

Hi. Nice to meet you. Good to see you. Good afternoon Mr. Chair, Members. California's Child Care Subsidy Program is a critical support for working families, but gaps in the current law can cause families to lose access when they need support the most.

Today, if a parent isn't actively working or in training, they can lose their childcare, even if they are on pregnancy leave, caring for a loved one, or searching for a job. These disruptions create instability for families, increase stress, and make it harder for parents to stay in the workforce. I introduced AB904 to ensure families have.

Access to child care during transitional periods. This Bill will clarify child care eligibility rules to support families when they are taking family leave or searching for employment. It also reduces barriers for parents, making it easier for families to verify their status and and maintain their childcare during these important times.

By improving eligibility and reducing paperwork, AB904 will reduce disruptions for working families and provide stability for our children. With me to testify this in support are Heidi Kaiser with Child Action Sacramento and Yesenia Jimenez from A Grace End Child Poverty.

Great. Thank you very much. You'll each have two minutes to present and whoever would like to start.

Great. Thank you. Good afternoon Chair Members of the Committee. My name is Heidi Kaiser and I'm here on behalf of Child Action in strong support of AB904. For almost 50 years, Child Action has been enrolling families in subsidised child care. Presently, we're simply over 16,000 children and their families on the subsidy program.

California's existing in child care eligibility rules are too narrow. We are in support of AB904 because it ensures that families can keep their subsidized childcare during essential transitional periods, like when they're searching for a job, recovering from childbirth, or taking paid family leave to care for a loved one.

Under the current eligibility rules, if a parent is not actively working or in training, even if they're recovering from childbirth or or navigating a family emergency, they can lose their care. This kind of disruption hurts kids, adds stress to families and delays workforce re entry.

AB904 fixes this by clarifying the definition of workday, modernizing eligibility to reflect temporary medical needs, and making it easier for families to verify their status without burdensome red tape. This Bill will make it easier for both enrolment and recertifying families on their subsidized program.

We often see parents frustrated by the enrolment process due to the lengthy paperwork requirements. This Bill will ensure that families have access to childcare when they need it. This is a common sense Bill that supports working families, promotes maternal and child well being, and helps ensure continuity of care during times when this stability is most needed.

We thank Majority Leader Aguiar-Curry for her work on this Bill and respectfully urge your aye vote. Thank you so much.

Good afternoon Chair and Members. Is this okay? Great. Good afternoon Chair and Members. My name is Yesenia Jimenez with End Child Poverty in California Powered by Grace in strong support of AB904. More than 6 in 10 California children under the age of 12 live in families where all parents are working.

Therefore, childcare is critical support that helps parents stay in the workforce and children thrive in consistent nurturing environments. But under current law, families can lose access to subsidized care during short term.

But important life events, as Heidi mentioned, like recovering after giving birth or taking care of a sick family Member, these are exactly the moments when families need support the most. AB904 addresses this gap by clarifying state law to ensure that transitional periods are recognized as valid reasons to maintain child care eligibility.

It also reduces unnecessary paperwork, allowing parents to attest to their leave instead of jumping through hoops to prove it. This is about protecting family stability, reducing barriers for working parents, and keeping kids connected to the care they depend on. And we thank Majority Leader Aguiar Curry for her leadership and respectfully urge your support of AB904.

Thank you very much. Will now take any me too testimony in support of AB904. There's any Member of the public present here in the hearing room who'd like to express support for AB904, please approach your microphone and state your name, affiliation, and position on the Bill.

Nicole. Excuse me. Nicole Morales, on behalf of Children Now in support.

Thank you.

Mackenzie Richardson, on behalf of Thriving Families California in support.

Great. Thank you very much. Okay. Saying no additional witnesses in support. Will now take up to two witnesses in opposition to AB904 if there are any. If you would like to speak in opposition to the Bill, please come forward. I don't see any witnesses in opposition.

So that will complete testimony of the Bill and bring it back to the Committee for any questions or comments from Committee Members. Any questions or comments, colleagues?

Senator Becker? Yeah, I'll just mention I appreciate the work of the author and we've worked on this in my district, getting access to care is an issue. Had a Bill last year we tried on for caregivers themselves to get access because in some cases they themselves are not able to get access for the, for their children.

So, anyway, I do appreciate this effort and I'll move the Bill.

Thank you.

Are there any other questions or comments from Members of the Committee? If not I'll turn it back over to Assembly Member Aguiar Curry to close.

Thank you very much. I respectfully ask your aye vote in helping take care of our children. Thank you.

Thank you so very much. We have a motion by Senator Becker which is do pass to the Committee on Appropriations. If the Committee says please call the roll.

File item 7, AB904, the motion is do pass to Appropriations Committee. Arreguin. Aye. Arreguin, aye. Ochoa Bogh. Not voting. Becker. Aye. Aye. Limon. Wahab.

Okay, thank you. We'll keep that Bill on call. Thank you very much.

Have a good afternoon.

You too. And our last Bill presentation is file item 9, Assembly Joint Resolution 3 by Assembly Machiavel. I'm proud to be a co-author of this Bill and if there are any witnesses in support, if you can, please join us here at the table.

I know we have a number of people here who also want to express support as well. And after we do this, we'll do consent. Now I'll turn over to you Assemblymer to present the Bill.

Thank you so much. Mr. Chair and Members. I am here to present proudly to present AGR3 a resolution to send a strong message to Congressional leadership, California's congressional delegation and the White House that Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid are foundational to the communities that and that any cuts to these programs will only create irreparable harm.

Social Security is our nation's most important source of retirement income, disability and life insurance. For over 6 million Californians, including veterans and those with severe work disabilities. This program provides monthly cash benefits and health insurance.

We must remember that Social Security is a system that those now receiving benefits paid into that system their entire working lives on the promise that when the time comes they would receive the benefits that they're entitled to.

Like Social Security, Medicare is also a critical lifeline so seniors and persons living with disabilities have the ability to survive and thrive in today's world. The health care provided under Medicare makes sure that the population with the highest health care costs are provided care at a fraction of the administrative costs of private health care plans.

Current federal proposals could change how care is delivered under Medicare and result in increased health care insecurity and cost for those that rely on it. And finally, AJR3 calls for our representatives to protect Medicaid or Medi Cal in California.

For nearly 15 million Californians, including children and families, Medi Cal is their only source of health care care, providing primary care services, dental and vision, mental health care and substance use disorder services, and long term care as well. Medi Cal is already caring for working people in our state with 1 in 5 of all California workers enrolled.

With me to speak for AJR3 is Julia Feinberg of the California Alliance for Retired Americans and Gary Poe from St. John's Kids Community Health Clinic in Los Angeles.

Great. Thank you very much. Good afternoon. I'll turn over you to present.

Good afternoon. Committee Members. Thank you for considering AGR3, which I'm here to support. I'm Gary Poe, an outreach coordinator from St. John's Community Health Clinic in Los Angeles. We have over 30 sites, including Riverside and San Bernardino.

I'm also a proud Member of SEIU 721 and SEIU Community Clinic workers United, a statewide campaign uniting community clinic workers across California. In our state, over 7 million people use community clinics. 68% of community clinic patients rely on Medi Cal. Getting quality care shouldn't be a privilege. It's a basic human right.

But now Congress wants to slash Medicaid so that they can give trillions in tax cuts to the wealthiest Americans. They want to take health care away from working families and hurt the poor and a disproportionately high number of people of color who rely on Medicaid. So what does that mean for the thousands who depend on St.

John's for their care? It means longer waits for their appointments. For those who have to take time off of work, catch the bus to come in, it means putting off care until the small problems become an emergency. That's why I've been speaking out in support of Medicaid as often as I can.

I've been in the streets of LA, I've been to D.C. and now I'm here at our state capitol. Because the cuts to Medicaid won't just hurt some of us, it'll hurt all of us. I'm also here as a parent. My 28 year old son has a disability and depends on Medi Cal.

The cuts will mean losing access to services that helps him, including his job training, vocal services and comprehension coaching that would make it much harder for me to do my job in the community.

These cuts would also hurt seniors who need care at home or in nursing homes as they age, rural and community hospitals which need Medicaid funds to stay open, veterans with chronic conditions and little or no other coverage. Kids who are required special services at schools to thrive, and those receiving care for disability, mental health and substance abuse.

Not to mention the impact on jobs, not just health care, but in the whole industry. Employers that rely on Medi Cal to cover their workforce will take a hit. People with no other coverage will be sicker for longer and more often. Medicaid saves lives. These cuts put lives at risk.

I'm proud to be in this fight with CARA. Please join us by voting aye on AJR3 today. Bring us one step closer to sending it to your colleagues in D.C. to say hands off Medicaid. Let's work together to save lives and jobs. Thank you.

Hi, good afternoon. My name is Julia Feinberg and I live in Oakland. I'm a Member of Hand in Hand who works closely with CARA and I'm honored to represent CARA today.

I was born with a significant disability where I need assistance with most activities of daily living like going to the bathroom, taking a shower, accessing food, and literally getting out of bed. I am lucky to say something that some disabled people cannot.

I have never lived in an institution and I receive my care at home from caregivers that I hire and feel safe with. Medicaid has given me an incredible gift. I do not have to choose between receiving the life saving care that I need and my freedom. Sorry.

And I know that this is a struggle that people with disabilities have fought for decades. It has meant that I could earn my doctorate in clinical psychology and become a therapist, live with close friends, be in romantic relationships and explore California's beautiful nature. In other words, a rich life that you would want for your own children.

I also know the importance of Medicare. When I was just on Medicaid, it was incredibly challenging to see the specialist I needed for my disability. I spent days appealing denials and there were a couple of years where I just didn't see them because the fight was too hard.

I cannot overstate how much Medicare has allowed me to seek out the health care I need. The recent months have been filled with restless nights and anxious days as the proposed federal budget Bill was written. I know what cuts to Medicaid and Medicare would mean for the disability community.

People like me would be forced into an institution because home and community based programs are deemed optional. While institutions are mandatory, it's not hard to predict what happens to optional programs when the money dries up. You will see less people with disabilities in the community. You will see people going without health care.

Cuts to Social Security results in people simply not making ends meet. It is not hyperbole to say that people will lose their lives over this. The proposed cuts to Medicaid, Medicare and Social Security threaten not only the Independence and dignity of people with disabilities, but also the values of our own state, the United States of America.

I implore you to fight against any cuts to these life saving programs. Thank you.

Thank you so very much for being here for your very eloquent testimony in support of this Bill. We'll now take any MeToo testimony in support of AJR3. You can please come forward to state your name, affiliation and position of the Bill.

Me too. Jeff Tardegia, Kara, CA SSI Zach True, Owl, various other organizations and advocate. Thank you.

Thank you Mr. Chair. Members Tiffany Whiten with SEIU California proud co sponsors and support. Thank you so much.

Honorable Chair and Members Amy Hindschaik with UDW AFSCME Local 3930 and strong support. Thank you.

Thank you.

Christine Smith, Health Access California and support.

Thank you.

Amanda Kirchner, cwda In support.

Mary Creasy, the Children's Partnership. In support.

Nicole Morales, on behalf of Children Now. In support.

Whitney Francis with the Western center on Law and Poverty and support.

Cindy Young, Vice President, California Alliance for Retired Americans. In strong support.

JP Hanna with the California Nurses Association. In strong support. Thank you.

Bruce McClain, Healthy California Now Coalition and the North State Medicare for All. Strong support.

Stan Wong, Member of CARA I'm in support.

Art Persico, California Alliance for Retired Americans, San Francisco. In strong support.

Robert Copeland, California. Freya, Sasi and Cara and DOC Fight with Disability Rights group and strong support.

My name is Teresa Carr, I'm a senior. I'm also a Member of Cara and I have a son that relies on Medi Cal. Thank you. And I'm in support.

Keith Umamoto, Executive Vice President, California State Retirees. We are in support of AGR3.

Daisy Orem with the California Alliance for Retired Americans. Proud co sponsors in support.

Yesenia Jimenez with End Child Poverty in California. In support.

Andy Stock with San Francisco California alliance. Of Retired Americans and Senior Disability Action Group in San Francisco. In strong support.

CT Weber, Legislative Liaison, Peace and Freedom Party of California. In support. As in our letter that was posted. Before the Assembly, didn't get any analysis and didn't get in the Senate analysis either. Thank you.

Are there any other Members of the public wishing to express support for AGR3? If not, we'll take up to two principal witnesses in opposition. If there are any to AGR3. There are any witnesses in opposition. Okay, seeing none. We'll bring it back to the Committee for questions and comments. Vice Chair bogh.

Thank you. Mr. Chair, I want to. First of all, I've been an absolute advocate for our communities with disabilities in the State of California. And I would absolutely stand alongside any attempts to ensure that those folks that need us the most and literally the most vulnerable in our communities have the safety net that they need.

And I think that's one of the. And I've spoken this at many of events where I've said, you know, government is there to provide opportunities, economic opportunities for everyone, but also provide a safety net for those that are the most vulnerable. And especially when I talk about the most vulnerable are folks with disabilities.

So I'm an absolute support. Now, I do want to express some of the concerns that I do have with regards to this resolution.

And just so that I can be on the record on that, I do have a concern with the language that states that it openly calls Congress to increase taxes on households that make more than the wage cap on Social Security. As we know, many of the individuals here in California, we're paying the highest taxes in the nation.

If not, we compete in the top three. And so when we talk about increasing taxes and in the average household, I have serious concerns with language of that sort because it impacts all Californians on that end.

So I just wanted to express that the other concern that I had is that the language in which it addresses the outright opposing any effort to privatize parts of Social Security and Medicare.

I am not an expert in this space, but one of the things that I have learned while my period here, my fifth year here in the Senate, is that before we make conclusions, we should actually ask for studies and data to be to analyze what would be the most effective way to actually modernize our systems, of our safety net systems.

Because as of right now, it's my understanding within the current system, it is, there's a risk of insolvency in there. So I am a huge believer that it does have to be modified. It has to be, you know, revamped in some way. But what does that look like?

What is the best way to do that without really impacting the average household? And would it means streamlining? If it means, you know, redesigning the system to be more effective, to be more efficient, I would be completely in support of looking at those systems and asking for that.

I wouldn't support your resolution today because I do believe that it is imperative that government actually support our most vulnerable. And I think there.

And I thank you for that effort in bringing this measure forward because I think all of us in California, the majority of us, believe that government is there to provide that safety net for the most vulnerable. So with that, I am happy to make a motion. zero, wait, sorry. I can't make a motion right now.

I have the gavel. I would have made a motion to move. Who had? I mean, do I share? We do have. Senator Rahab. Thank you. Senator Becker.

Yeah, I was just going to thank the author particularly. Thank you all for coming up here and speaking with us and sharing your personal stories.

Hubert Humphrey said, as once said, moral test of government is how the government treats those who are in the dawn of life, the children, those who are in the twilight of life, the elderly and those who are in the shadows of life, the sick, the needy and the handicapped.

I think this is a test for all of us right now, and I think we do need to push back. So these cuts are not necessary.

I say that as someone who's I worked on Capitol Hill, I worked for women who cast the deciding vote, sacrificed her political career one term to vote to raise taxes on the wealthiest 2% in 1993 for Bill Clinton's budget. And we actually had budget surpluses at those times, actual budget surpluses and economic growth.

So these cuts are not necessarily they're being we're cutting to Fund tax, you know, tax decreases on corporations, which are not necessary. We know they're not necessary for economic growth. And it's just going to deplete our funds as a government and force cuts like these that are not necessary.

I'm certainly supportive of streamlining or, you know, reducing administrative costs, you know, where we can. But really, these cuts, you know, fundamental cuts are not necessary.

We have the money, if we're willing to do, we've done the taxing we can at the state level, really, if we can Fund, if we can do tax increases at the federal level, we can Fund these programs. So thank you for bringing this on, and I will support the measure at the time. Thanks.

Great. Thank you very much. I'll just note for the record that we already passed a resolution out of the Senate by bipartisan vote to oppose cuts to Medicaid. And so this is in line with the action that the Senate took just a couple months ago.

And I thank you, Assemblymer, for bringing this important resolution forward and very proud to be a co author of the Bill. So I'll turn it back over to close on the Bill.

Thank you so much. And I appreciate we've received bipartisan support. Appreciate the comments of the Vice Chair and Mr. Mr. Senator Becker as well. You know, I guess one thing I would say is that in terms of the privatization question, we know that Medicare, for example, is around 2 to 4% administrative cost.

And insurance, insurance on the other hand, is around 16% administrative cost. Four times as much administrative cost is in insurance than in Medicare.

So if you want to talk about streamlining and really making sure that we are making the most of our dollars when we're putting it towards health care, putting it into Medicare is the absolute best way that we can do that and make sure that that goes to care and not to lobbying and not to other things that administrative costs can go to.

So, you know, I think that's, that's an important conversation for us to have because there is a lot of data and there's years of information to show that as things have been privatized, people have gotten restricted care, they've had more difficult times getting care, and it's been more challenging for them to get the care that they need a lot of times.

And so, you know, I welcome that conversation. I think that that's a good conversation for us to have because I think we should really dial down on that data and talk about how we make sure that our tax dollars are being used the most effectively. Right. And going to the folks that we intend it to go to.

And we know that with Medicare, that is what happens. And in terms of, you know, solvency of Social Security, it's very easily solved by lifting the cap. We know that millionaires and billionaires pay the same amount into Social Security than working day folks.

People who are, you know, cooks and dishwashers and teachers and nurses, they all pay the same amount. And if they lifted that cap and allowed for the wealthiest people to actually continue to support Social Security or forego, you know, they can forego it as well, then that is something that would really create a solvent situation for us.

But we know that right now the solution is not a solution. It's making it worse. It's talking about giving tax breaks to the wealthiest people, to billionaires, to corporations on the backs of folks who are disabled, seniors, people on fixed incomes.

And this is something that, you know, I appreciate your comments and welcome a bipartisan voice that is pushing back against this because I think that is the only thing that really can stop it right now.

And so I'm incredibly grateful for Julia and for Gary for coming here and everyone who's been here today and all the organizations, Kara and others who have been fighting this good fight and making sure that we are pushing back on these horrendous cuts that are literally going to lead to people losing lives, losing Independence, losing their ability to work and survive.

And so it is critical that we support and push back on these national cuts on Medicare, Social Security and Medicaid and appreciate an aye vote. Thank you so much.

Thank you very much. We have a motion by Senator Wahab to pass the Senate Floor. If the Committee assistant could please call the roll.

File item nine, AJR three, motion is due. Pass. Adaging. Aye. Adaguing. Aye. Aye. AOG I. Becker. Aye. Aye. Becker. Aye. Limon, Wahab. Wahab, Aye.

Okay, thank you. We'll keep that Bill on call. Thank you so very much. Assembly Member, thank you for joining us today. And with that, we will transition. So we have not yet made a motion on the consent calendar. Okay. Motion to approve the consent calendar. That consists just once again, a file item 2, AB 553.

File 3, AB 562. File item 4, AB 752. File item 5, AB 896. And filem 6, AB 898. The motion is by Senator Wahab to approve the consent calendar if the Committee assisted and call the roll.

[Roll Call]

Okay, thank you. We'll keep that on call as well. We did receive a bill presentation by someone for Bennett on AB320, but we didn't have a quorum, so move by Senator Wahab and Committee assistant. Please call the roll on the motion at AB320.

Motion is due. Passes. Amended to education Committee. [Roll Call]

Okay, thank you. We'll keep that bill on call. And I think there might be one or two bills that Senator Wahab did not vote on, so let's lift a call on those Items.

File item 7, AB904. Motion is due. Pass to Appropriations Committee with the chair voting aye and the Vice Chair not voting. [Roll Call]

Okay, we'll keep that phone call. Thank you. And then the next 1.

File Item 8, AB 1220, do passes amended to Appropriations Committee Chair voting Aye. Vice Chair voting Aye. [Roll Call]

Okay, we'll keep that on call as well. I think all the Members present have voted on the Bill, so you are excused. Thank you for being here today. We'll take a. zero, perfect timing. We have our pro tem designee here, so we'll start from the top for sunken Sec.

And if the Committee assistant can call the role on the Consent calendar. Consent once again consists of file item 2, AB553. File item 3, AB562. File item 4, AB752. File item 5, AB896, and file 6, AB898. So please call the roll on consent.

Limon. Aye.

Okay, consent is approved. Those bills are out. And we'll proceed to the next file.

File item 1. AB320, do passes amended to Education Committee chair voting aye and Vice Chair voting aye. Limon. Aye. Limon. Aye.

Okay, that Bill is out on a vote of 5 to 0.

File item 7, AB 904, do pass to Appropriations Committee. Vice Chair voting Aye. I'm sorry. Chair voting Aye. Vice Chair not voting yes. And Limon. Aye.

Okay, that bill is out 4 to 0.

File item 8. AB 1220, do pass is amended to Appropriations Committee chair voting Aye. Vice Chair voting Aye. Limon. Aye.

Okay, that bill is out 5 to 0.

Yes. AJR3. Oh, I'm sorry. AB9. Or file item 9, AJR3 do pass to the 4 floor. And that was Chair voting Aye. Vice Chair voting Aye. Limone, Aye.

Okay, that bill is at 5 to 0. Thank you. Were those all the bills? Yeah. Okay, so that completes our agenda for this afternoon's bill hearing. With that, the Senate Committee on Human Services now adjourned.

Thank you.