>> FROM OUR STATE HOUSE STUDIO IN MONTGOMERY, I'M TODD STACY.

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

THE LEGISLATURE WAS BACK IN ACTION TODAY AS THE HOUSE AND SENATE MET FOR THE 18TH LEGISLATIVE DAY.

IT WAS MILITARY APPRECIATION DA IN THE STATE HOUSE AS LAWMAKERS INVITED SOME OF ALABAMA'S HIGHEST RANKING AND MOST DECORATED MILITARY LEADERS FOR SPECIAL CEREMONY HONORING THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE STATE AND NATION.

>> LAST MONTH I WAS ABLE TO GO COUNT TO THE SOUTHWEST BORDER.

IF YOU DIDN'T KNOW THIS, ALABAMA HAS A SIGNIFICANT -- I CAN'T TELL YOU HOW MANY BUT A SIGNIFICANT AMOUNT.

SUBJECT EVERS HELPING ON THE BORDER.

THE BRIGADE OUT OF MOBILE ALABAMA ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR ALL TWO THOUSAND MILES OF THAT BORDER FROM THE ATLANTIC OCEAN TO THE PACIFIC AT THAT BRIGADE LEVEL SO THEY OVERSEE THAT WORK OUT OF EL PASO AND ARE DOING FANTASTIC WORK OUT OF THERE AND I HEARD NOTHING BUT REMARKABLE THINGS ABOUT THAT COMMAND TEAM.

>> THE HOUSE AND SENATE ALSO PASSED A NUMBER OF BILLS.

SEEKING TO MAKE ALABAMA MORE HOSPITABLE TO MILITARY FAMILIES LET'S TAKE A LOOK AT SOME OF THOSE.

GRAPHIC HOUSE BILL 103 FROM REPRESENTATIVE KENNETH PASCHAL IS AN OVERHAUL TO THE STATE'S VETERANS AFFAIRS CODE THAT IS MEANT TO BETTER ORGANIZE THE DEPARTMENT AND HELP IT STREAMLINE SERVICES TO VETERANS HOUSE BILL 284 FROM REPRESENTATIVE JERRY STARNES WOULD UPDATE ALABAMA LAW TO ENSURE THAT SCHOOLS THAT WAIVE TUITION FEES FOR INCOMING MILITARY STUDENTS CAN OFFSET THOSE EXPENSES THROUGH WRITE- OFFS.

SENATE BILL 209 FROM SENATOR ANDREW JONES WOULD EXEMPT NATIONAL GUARDSMAN AND RESERVISTS FROM STATE INCOME TA WHILE THEY ARE DEPLOYED EITHER TO AN OVERSEAS THEATER OR TO A DOMESTIC EMERGENCY.

AND SENATE BILL 206 ALSO FROM JONES AIMS TO ENSURE MILITARY KIDS CAN JOIN SPORTS TEAMS EVEN IF THEY MOVE TO A NEW SCHOOL IN THE MIDDLE OF THE YEAR.

ALL THOSE PASSED TODAY AND WILL MOVE TO THE NEXT CHAMBER.

TODAY IN THE HOUSE, A MAJOR OVERHAUL OF THE STATE'S ETHICS CODE WAS DEBATED.

HOUSE BILL 227 FROM REPRESENTATIVE MATT SIMPSON AIM TO REORGANIZE THE PROCURATORIAL JURISDICTIONS BETWEEN THE ETHIC COMMISSION AND THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.

INTERESTINGLY, BOTH THE ATTORNE GENERAL AND THE ETHICS COMMISSION DIRECTOR HAVE COME OUT AGAINST THE BILL, WHICH LED TO SEVERAL QUESTIONS FROM MEMBERS ON THE FLOOR.

>> PEOPLE HAVE ASKED WHY WOULD I TAKE UP THIS ISSUE THIS THIRD RAIL OF POLITICS?

WHEN I WAS ELECTED IN NOVEMBER 2018 THE SECOND THING WE CAN THE NEXT WEEK AFTER THE ELECTION, WE CAME IN AND HAD ORIENTATION.

AT THAT ORIENTATION PROCESS THERE WAS A PANEL OF ETHICS ATTORNEYS, AND THERE WERE THREE ATTORNEYS ON THAT PANEL.

WHEN MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE WERE ASKED A QUESTION AS TO WHAT HAPPENED, AND THERE WERE SEVERAL MEMBERS STILL HERE WHEN THAT HAPPENED.

WHEN MEMBERS ARE OF THE LEGISLATURE ASKED THE ATTORNEYS WHO PRACTICE AND SPECIALIZE IN ETHICS IN ALABAMA WHAT WE COULD AND COULDN'T DO, WE GOT THREE SEPARATE ANSWERS: ONE ATTORNEY WOULD SAY YES.

ONE WOULD SAY NO.

AND ONE ONE WOULD SAY DEPENDING ON THE SITUATION.

>> THE BILL PASSED BY A VOTE OF 799 WITH SEVERAL MEMBERS ABSTAINING OR NOT VOTING.

IT NOW MOVES TO THE SENATE.

THE SENATE COUNTY AND MUNICIPAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE TODAY RESUMED ITS MEETING ON LEGISLATION AIMED AT REFORMING THE WAY STATE LICENSURE BOARDS AND COMMISSIONS ARE GOVERNED.

SENATE BILL 224 FROM SENATOR CHRIS ELLIOTT WOULD REQUIRE MOR THAN THREE DOZEN OCCUPATIONAL LICENSING BOARDS TO BE MANAGED BY A NEW STATE AGENCY, RATHER THAN BY PRIVATE CONTRACTORS.

ELLIOTT HAS ARGUED THAT MANAGEMENT OF THESE BOARDS HAS BECOME A FOR-PROFIT COTTAGE INDUSTRY THAT DOESN'T SERVE THE INTERESTS OF WORKERS.

BUT HE GOT PUSHBACK FROM DEMOCRATS WHO, PERHAPS SURPRISINGLY, ARGUED THAT IT WA BIG GOVERNMENT.

>> WE HAVE SEEN SIGNIFICANT PROBLEMS.

WE HAVE HAVE SEEP NONCOMPLIANCE WITH THE LAW.

WE HAVE SEEN LICENSES BEING ISSUED THAT WERE IT PROPER.

WE HAVE SEEN LACK OF ENFORCEMENT COOPERATION WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT.

HAD WE HAVE SEEN MISHANDLING OF FUNDS.

WHAT WE'RE SEEINGS IS THAT THERE ARE HUGE PROBLEMS WITH THE OPERATION OF THESE BOARDS THAT ARE HANDLED BY PRIVATE, FOR-PROFIT INSTITUTIONS AND THAT THERE IS FRANKLY MISMANAGEMENT AND THAT IS DOCUMENTED IN THE AUDITS PERFORMED BY OUR EXAMINER OF PUBLIC ACCOUNTS.

>> I THINK PEOPLE HAVE SAID BEFORE, I ADOPT WISH TO HAVE, HOWEVER GOOD INTENTIONED, GOOD INDIVIDUALS MAY BE THAT FOR THE MOST PART MAY BE REPRESENTING THE PERSON WHO PERFORMS HEART SURGE ON ME SHOULD NOT NECESSARILY BE THE INDIVIDUAL WHO IS A GEOLOGIST.

SO IF YOU HAVE BOARDS WHO HAVE THE SPECIALTY OF WHAT THEY DO, WHY NOT HAVE IT SHOW I JUST DON'T KNOW WHY WE DISRUPT THAT IF WE HAVE MECHANISMS IN MACE TO ADDRESS WHAT YOU ALL SAY YOU HAVE IDENTIFIED AS THE INDIVIDUALS WHO DO NEED THE ATTENTION.

BECAUSE THIS IS -- AND I TRUST THE FACT THAT YOU ALL HAVE SEEN THIS INFORMATION AND YOU HAVE SEEN THE PROBLEMS.

CAN WE NOT ADDRESS IT WITHOUT APPLYING NEW INVESTIGATION?

BECAUSE AS SENATOR MADISON HAS SAID, MY FRIENDS ACROSS THE AISLE FROM THE CASE OF HOLD IN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY BELIEVED IN SMALL GOVERNMENT.

THIS IS DEFINITELY ADDING TO IT SO WITH THAT, YOU KNOW, THANK YOU, MR.

CHAIR.

>> THAT BILL WAS REPORTED OUT OF COMMITTEE AND NOW GOES TO THE FULL SENATE THE JOINT PRISONOVEROVER SITE COMMISSION MET FOR AN UPDATE ON THE PRISON UPDATE FROM COMMISSIONER JON HAMM.

HAMM SAID THE ELMORE PROJECT IS AT 25 PERCENT COMPLETION AND SLATED FOR OPENING IN 2026.

HOWEVER, HAMM CAUTIONED LAWMAKERS ABOUT THE POTENTIAL CHALLENGES POSED BY THE RISING PRISON POPULATION.

>> THE INSIDE FENCE IS GOING TO BE ROUGHLY 3 HUNDRED ACRES SO IT IS QUITE LARGE, OUR LARGEST FACILITY IS LYME STONE, ABOUT 28 HUNDRED INMATES AND IT'S ON 64 ACRES SO IT'S LARGE!

THERE WERE 497 CONSTRUCTION WORKERS ON SITE, WHICH THAT'S A LOT OF CONSTRUCTION WORKERS.

HOWEVER, THAT'S PROBABLY HALF OF WHAT WILL BE THERE IN A COUPLE OF MONTHS WHEN THINGS MR. RAMP UP.

SO WE'RE LOOKING AT PROBABLY 8 OR 9 HUNDRED CONSTRUCTION WORKERS TOTAL ON-SITE.

BUT TO GIVE AN EXAMPLE, IF WE HAVE ONE CORRECTIONAL OFFICER WATCHING 10 INMATES WE'RE TRY TO GET TO TWO OFFICERS AND WE'RE AT ONE AND A HALF NOW BUT BY THE ADVERTISEMENT WE GET TWO IT WON'T BE 10, IT WILL BE 20 INMATES SO WE'RE TRY TO GET INFORMATION ON HOW THAT POPULATION IS GOING TO LOOK IN THE NEXT SEVERAL YEARS.

>> THE DEPARTMENT OF THE CORRECTIONS INITIATED A FAMILY SERVICES UNIT.

THIS YOU NEED WILL BE STATIONED AT DOC HEADQUARTERS AND PRISON FACILITY AIMED AT KEEPING FAMILY MEMBERS INFORMED ABOUT THE WELL BEING OF THEIR LOVED ONES.

>> WE WILL BE ABLE TO HAVE THAT ONE INDIVIDUAL AT THE FACILITY DEDICATED TO ONE RUN THOSE ANSWERS DOWN TO THE FAMILY IN A TIMELY MANNER.

>> ALL OF A SUDDEN ANOTHER PART OF IT IS NOTIFICATION ON HOSPITALIZATIONS, BECAUSE WE DO HAVE INMATES THAT GO INSIDE THE FACILITY TO HAVE AN OVERNIGHT STATE IN HOSPITALS.

WE HAVE STARTED THAT MAKE SURE TWO MONTHS AGO, I BELIEVE, WHERE WE HAVE DEDICATED INDIVIDUALS TO CALL FAMILY MEMBERS WHEN THEY HAVE BEEN HOSPITALIZED AND WE HAVE HAD 5 LOT OF POSITIVE INTERSECTIONS WITH THE FAMILY MEMBERS.

THAT HAS REALLY GONE WELL, WHERE WE CALL AND GIVE THEM AN UPDATE ON WHAT THEIR CONDITION IS.

>> PEOPLE DISTRUST WHAT THEY DON'T UNDERSTAND.

AND THEY CAN'T UNDERSTAND IF THEY'RE NOT RECEIVING COMMUNICATION.

SO I THINK THIS IS A POSITIVE DIRECTION.

WHAT IS THE THAT WE NEED TO TO DO TO HELP YOU IMPLEMENTED THIS AND PUSH IT ACROSS THE LINE?

>> WE FELT LIKE, OKAY, WE'RE SERIOUS.

SO LET'S PUT IT IN LAW.

SO, YOU KNOW, MY FIGHT IS ARRHYTHMIAD.

SO WHEN I LEAVE, WHOEVER THE NEXT COMMISSIONER IS, THAT WILL STILL BE THERE THAT THEY HAVE TO FOLLOW-THROUGH ON.

>> HEALTH CARE ADVOCATES GATHERED AT THE STATEHOUSE TODAY.

THE COVER ALABAMA COALITION IS A GROUP OF ORGANIZATIONS DEDICATED TO EXPANDING ACCESS TO AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE IS ALABAMA, WHETHER THROUGH MEDICAID EXPANSION OR MORE NUANCED PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIP.

THE GROUP SAID THE STATE STANDS TO PUSH FROM CLOSING THE HEALTH COVERAGE GAP.

>> WE BELIEVE PUBLIC POLICY SHOULD MAKE IT EASIER FOR INDIVIDUALS TO GET THEIR RIGHTS, NOT HARDER FOR THEM TO GET THEIR RIDES, AND EASIER FOR A ALABAMIANS TO MAKE ENDS MEET.

BOO WE BELIEVE THAT EVERYONE IN OUR STATE SHOULD BE LABEL TO GET MEDICAL CARE.

THIS HE NEED TO BE ABLE TO SURVIVE AND THRIVE.

WE'RE EXCITED TO HAVE MORE THAN 2 HUNDRED SUPPORTERS AT OUR LEGISLATIVE DAY.

>> COMING UP AFTER THE BREAKS I WILL SIT DOWN WITH CARLA CROWDER OF ALABAMA.

APPLE SEED TO TALKS MORE ABOUT THE PRISON SITUATION.

AFTER THAT HONOUR HILL OF THE MARCH OF DIMES JOINS ME TO TALK ABOUT THE COVERAGE GAP AND HOW IT IMPACTS MATERNAL AND INFANT MORTALITY RATES.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS CARLA CROWDER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF ALABAMA APPLE SEED.

THANK YOU FOR COMING ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WE WERE TALKING AT PRISONS.

WE HAD THIS PRISON OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MEETING TODAY.

AND IT'S APROPOS, BECAUSE, IF I UNDERSTAND CORRECTLY, TODAY MARKS FIVE YEARS SINCE THE DOJ REPORT CAME OUT ABOUT THE VIOLENCE AND PROBLEMS WITH ALABAMA'S PRISONS; IS THAT RIGHT?

APRIL 2.

>> THAT IS RIGHT.

WHAT THAT REPORT DID IS IT SET OFF A WAVE OF UNFORTUNATELY REALLY NEGATIVE MEDIA ATTACKS ON THE STATE OF ALABAMA FROM ALL ACROSS THE COUNTRY.

AND IT ALSO CREATED SOME AWARENESS BY OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS THAT WE'RE GOING TO STORM WATCH, YOU KNOW, KICKING THE CAN DOWN THE ROAD.

THIS IS SERIOUS.

PEOPLE ARE DYING.

THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IS BREATHING DOWN OUR NECKS SO WE'RE GOING TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

THERE WERE REPORTS AND STATEMENTS.

AND HERE WE ARE, FIVE YEARS LATER, AND THE ONLY THING THAT HAS HAPPENED IN TERMS OF INSIDE THESE PRISONS THEY'VE GOTTEN MORE VITAL, THEY'RE MORE DEATH AND MORE DRUG CONFISCATIONS, THERE HAVE BEEN NO INCREASES IN MR.

PROGRAMMING OR STAFF.

SO FIVE YEARS OF WHAT I CONSIDER A LOT OF BROKEN PROMISES.

>> WELL, THEY DID MOVE TO PASS THE LAW SO SAY THEY WERE GOING TO BUILD TWO NEW PRISONS.

ONE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION NOW AND RUNNING UP EXPENSES.

BUT THEY DID TRY TO FIX THE FACILITIES PROBLEM WITH THE -- >> GREAT POINT.

SO ALABAMA WILL BE BUILDING THE MOST SPEAKS ABOUT OF PRISON IN THE COUNTRY.

I WILL BE OVER A BILLION DOLLARS.

AT THAT TIME THE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE MEETING THIS MORNING THERE WERE INTERESTING POINTS ABOUT THAT CONSTRUCTION.

SO THAT PRISON WILL HOLD AN ESTIMATED 4 THOUSAND PEOPLE.

AS REPRESENTATIVE JEN HILL POINTED OUT THE HESITATION REQUIRED SOME OTHER PRISONS TO BE CLOSED.

IT ALL OF A SUDDEN REQUIRES A SECOND 4 THOUSAND-BED PRISON TO HAVE BEEN BUILT IN ESCAMBIA COUNTY BUT THAT HAS NOT BEEN FUNDED.

SO IF YOU LOOK AT THE MATH, THE OVERCROWDING WILL NOT END.

THESE NEW EXPENSIVE PRISONS ARE JUST REPLACEMENT BEDS BECAUSE SOME OF THE FACILITIES ARE SO OLD THEY HAVE TO CLOSE.

>> BUT LISTENING TO COMMISSIONER HAND AND THE LAWMAKERS INVOLVED IN THE PLAN, IT'S HAD A DIFFERENT TYPE OF PRISON.

IT'S NOT NECESSARILY A BIG OLD DORM.

YOU KNOW, PEOPLE SLEEPING ON TOP OF EACH OTHER.

IT'S MORE INDIVIDUAL CELLS AND THINGS LIKE THAT?

IST WILL BE A SAFER ENVIRONMENT, EVEN WITH THE SAME AMOUNT OF PEOPLE?

>> I CERTAINLY HOPE IF WE SPEND A BILLION DOLLARS ON A PRITCHETT WILL BE SAFER.

BUT THERE ARE 2 IS THOUSAND PEOPLE IN THE CUSTODY AND THE ONE PRISON IN ELMORE COUNTY HOLDS 4 THOUSAND.

MAYBE WE WILL CREATE SAFETY FOR 4 THOUSAND BUT NOBODY HAS AN ANSWER FOR THE THOUSANDS LEFT BEHIND WHO WILL NOT HAVE ACCESS TO THAT FACILITY.

AND THERE'S EXTREMIER CROWDING.

THERE'S RESPECT NOT BEEN ANY REREDINED PLAN TO RECRUIT NEW OFFICERS.

RIGHT NOW, SIMILAR TO THE LAST, 10, 15 YEARS, THE DOC HAS BEEN DRAMATICALLY UNDERSTAFFED.

AND ANOTHER THICK THE LEGISLATURE HAS DONE IS HUGE PAY RAISES FOR.ORG OFFICERS.

YOU CAN START AS A PRISON OFFICER AND MAKE WELL OVER 50 THOUSAND DOLLARS WHICH IS HAD A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION BUT IT HAS NOT RESULTED IN MASSIVE NUMBERS OF PEOPLE SAYING I WANT TO WORK THERE.

>> RIGHT.

HAD A DANGEROUS JOB.

I WANTED TO TALK ABOUT WHAT HAPPENED IN THE OVERSIGHT COMMITTEE.

A LOT HAPPENS READY.

SO MUCH TO TALK ABOUT.

BUT THIS IDEA OF WE'RE GOING TO BE BETTER AND COMMUNICATE BETTER WITH FAMILY MEMBERS OF INMATES.

I GUESS THERE'S BEEN A LOT OF COMPLAINTS FROM FAMILY MEMBERS OF THE INCARCERATION RATED PEOPLE.

WHAT WOULD THIS LOOK LIKE?

IS THIS A STEP IN THE RIGHT DIRECT IN TERMS OF COMMUNICATION?

>> IT IS A GREAT STEP IN IN THE RIGHT DIRECT.

AT THE PUBLIC HEARING OF OVERSIGHT ECONOMY, OVER A DOZEN FAMILIES WERE TALKING ABOUT THEIR LOVED ONES BEING ASSAULTED AND RAPED.

THIS HAPPENS DAILY.

AND THERE'S VERY LITTLE COMMUNICATION WITH FAMILY MEMBERSS, IS MY LOVED ONE STILL ALIVE?

WHAT HAPPENS TO HIS BODY?

>> JUST NOT KNOWING IS TORTURE.

>> SO WHAT MR.

HANDSOME SAID IS THEY WANTED TO APPOINT AN INDIVIDUAL, IN EACH PRINT, AND HAVE SOMEBODY IN EACH OFFERS WHO THE -- AND THEY'RE CALLING IT A FAMILY SERVICES UNIT.

HE STATED THIS NEEDS TO SHOW INLATION SO WHEN HE RETIRES WE'RE SKILL HAVE THE FAMILY EMERGENCY UNIT.

I DON'T THINK ANYTHING LIKE THIS WILL HAPPEN.

IT WILL BE FORCED UNTIL ITS IN A BILL SO WE NEED TO SEE A BILL.

>> I WILL BE FOLLOWING THAT THOSELY.

SPEAKING OF LEGISLATION, THIS SECOND-CHANCE BILL SEEMS TO HAVE SOME MEGS THIS TIME OF THIS WAS AN OPEN HE DOES OF A MOTHER OF APPEAR INMATE WHO FALLS INTO THIS SHIM CATEGORY OF NONVIOLENT OFFENDER WHO WERE SENTENCED UNDER THE FELONY HAND YOU THAT WOULD BE RESENTENCED UNDER THE 2017 REFORMS.

DO I HAVE THAT RIGHT.

>> IT'S COMPLICATED.

SO WHAT WE'RE LOOKING MAT IS OLDER PEOPLE -- WE CALL THEM THE OLDER MEN.

THEY HAVE CON THEIR TIME AND THEY WOULD NEVER BE GETTING LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE UNDER CURRENT SENTENCING PRACTICES AND ALLOW RAW.

SO WE HAVE SUPPORT FROM ABBA MEDICATION YOU WANT OF PEOPLE, SENATOR BACHUS HAS BEEN A CHAMPION AND REPRESENTATIVE BELL SEWED AND CHRIS ENGLAND HAS A CHAMPION AS WELL.

THIS SAYS IS F. YOU'RE SEVERE SERVING LIFE WITHOUT PAROLE AND NO KNOW CRIME -- THEN LET'S GETS YOU IN FRONT OF A JUSTIN LOOKING AT WHAT HAVE YOU DONE DOING IN PRISON?

DO YOU HAVE A GOOD REGULATION CONSTITUTIONAL LEVEL?

WE HAVE GOTTEN AGREEMENTS FROM DISTRICT ATTORNEYS.

WE ALWAYS REACH OUT-- THEY EITHER HAVE PASSED AWAY FROM NATURAL CAUSES BECAUSE THE CASE HAS HATCH 30 YEARS AGO OR THEY LOOK LIKE THEY'RE CRAZY BECAUSE THE PERSONALITY OF THEM-YEAR-OLD AGO IS STILL HOOKED UP AND SHE BIPARTISAN PUSHED TO SUPPORT POLICE.

WE WANT DAS TO BE HEARD.

THIS WANT THIS TO BE A FAIR PROCESS.

BUT WE NEED CHANGES TOO ROOF THESE CONTRADICTIONS.

WHEN PEOPLE GET OUT WE NEED TO PROVIDE OUR REEF SID I HAVE NECK CHANGE.

MY RIGHTS ARE WORKING IN TRY THIS IS A WORK PARKS, AND IT'S ALSO ECONOMIC COMMON SENSE.

>> WE'RE OUT OF ADVERTISEMENT BUT THANK YOU FOR TALKING TRUE YOU THIS IS AND I KNOW WE WILL TALKS AGAIN BROUGHT THIS ISSUE IS NOT GOING AWAY.

>> THANK YOU SO MUCH, TODD.

>> WEIGHT OF WE WILL BE RIGHT BLACKS.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT TO HONOR HILL OF THE MARCH OF DIMES ORGANIZATION.

HONOR, THANK YOU FOR COMING ON SHOW.

>> GLAD TO BE HERE.

>> WE WERE PART OF THE PRESS CONFERENCE TALKING ABOUT CLOSING THE INSURANCE HEALTH CARE GAP.

OBVIOUSLY MARCH MARCH OF DIMES YOU FOCUS ON WOMEN AND TURN.

TALK ABOUT WHERE WE ARE ON THAT TALENT RIGHT RATE AND THE CONTRIBUTING FACTORS.

>> WE'RE PROUD TO HAVE THE THINGS THAT WE HAVE DONE IN THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS AND ON COMMITTEES AND WE'RE EXCITED TO JOIN OTHER STATES.

HOWEVER, AS THAT IS IN PLACE AND PEOPLE USE IT WE HAVE TO REALIZE THAT WEE STILL HAVE BAD RATES OF MATERNAL AND INFANT MORTALITY.

WE'RE THIRD WORST FOR MATERNAL ABUSE ARE.

AND WE HAVE THOSE MOMS WHO GO ON TO CARRY BACK THAT RESULT IN PRE-TERMINATE BIRTH WHICH IS ASSOCIATED WITH DIABETES, SMOKING, THINGS BEFORE AN INTERVENTION SO THAT WE DON'T SEE THE NEXT HOW CANS.

>> AND I REMEMBERED SOME OF THESE BILLS PASSING, MAKING SURE THAT WHERE PREGNANT WOMEN HAVE HEALTH COVERAGE A CARE YEAR LATER AND THEY MATE NOT GOING TO THE HAVE EXPERIENCE LICENSE BEFORE THAT AND THINGS THAT COULD PREVENT THESE THINGS.

>> ABSOLUTELY.

WHEN WE HAVE A WOMAN WHO BECOMES PREGNANT.

WE WANT TO MAKE SURE THAT CONGRATULATIONS DECEMBER IS MANAGED?

>> EVEN BEFORE WOMEN BECOME PREGNANT, IT'S IMPORTANT PART OF PREVENTING THAT IMPACTS THEIR POSITIONS.

AND A VERY IMPORTANT NINE MONTHS BUT YOU CAN ONLY DO SO MUCH IN NINE MONTHS.

BEFORE THEY GET PREGNANT IN THAT EVENT THEY HAVE ARC SO HE IS TO BLOOD PRESSURE BLOOD SUGAR MEDICINE AND TALKING WITH THEIR DAUGHTER AND WHAT THAT TAXABLE MEANS THAT THE CONVERSATIONS THAT WE'RE HAVING CAN BE FOCUSED ON THAT BABY, ON HER, AND HAVING A FALCONS BABE BABY AND NOT THE DISEASE.

SO MAKE SURE THAT IS HAPPENING SO WE CAN HAVE PREGNANT PREGNANCIES.

AND THEN FOR THE TWO MONTHS PARDON -- >> WHAT AFTER THAT.

>> RIGHT.

YOU SEE WOMEN WHO HAVE KIDS WHO ARE TWO HE TOO, HE FOUR YEARS A PART.

AND HAVE YOU GOTTEN MONUMENTS ON HER KEYS OR PORT PART OF ENOUGH IF SHE HAS AN ARMAMENT AFTERWARDS AND HAS FOR A YEAR.

WHAT WILL APPEARANCE AFTER SHE LOSES THAT COVERAGE?

THERE'S THAT THINK BE THAT WE HAVE TO THINK ABOUT WITH MOM.

>> THAT'S SO WHERE YOU ARE SAYING LOOK WE NEEDS TO HAVE COVERAGE.

EXPANDED MEDICAID BATS THE OLD MANTRA.

NOW IT'S SORT OF EXPANDING TO OTHER THINGS HIERARCHY MAKE SURE THE PUSHING PRIVATE DISCIPLE IN THE STATE LAS BEEN TALKING ABOUT BELONGS IN THE GOVERNOR'S THE BOTTOM OF THE.

SO WE NEED TO FIND A WAY -- WE RECALLS HAVE COST CONCERNS.

EVERY TIME THIS COMES UP IT'S LIKE WE HAVE TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CAN AFFORD IT.

NOW WITH SOME OF THE SCALE BLANK FUMBLING THINGS DOES THAT BORE YOU HAVE IN TERMS OF GETTING LAWMAKERS ON ROAD TOWARDS FIGHTING THE WAY TO PAY THE MOST OF THIS.

>> WE TO DO KNOW THAT THE COMPOSITE OF COVERING THE CLOSEST GAB.

IT CAN PAY FOR ITSELF IN THE FIRST YEAR.

AND AN INFANT WITH COMP INDICATIONS COST FOUR TIMES AS MUCH AS A COMPLICATED BIRTH, SO WE HAVE MOMS SPENDING MONEY ON IT THAT CAUSE BRIE TERM BIRTH.

AND WE CAN ONLY MITIGATE SOME OF THAT DURING THE NINE MONTHS B OF.

BUT ALSO READING THAT WE CAN PROVIDE FURTHER.

WE HAVE A VERY IDENTIFIED TO KNOW FEDERAL CORNER.

HOW CAN WE LOWER THE BAR TALENT AND DIFFERED DEFECTS.

AND WE HAVE SIX RESEARCH CENTERS DOING THAT.

WHAT WE COULD THAT IS MAKING SURE WOMEN HAVE ACCESS TO CARE.

WE HAVE AN ACTION.

AND WE'RE TRYING TO MAKE SURE THAT WE CONTINUE TO HAVE THOSE.

A WORRY OF TWO CAN WORK 32 HOURS OF THAT $15 AND HOUR AND STILL HAVE NO COULD ANY COVERAGE.

WHAT IF HE HASN'T GOT A LOT?

WHAT GO SHE DIDN'T HAVE COVERAG >> WELL, I'M GLAD YOU HAVE COME ON TO EXPLAIN THEY HAVE THIS BOUGHT US A 250, WE FOCUS AROUND THIS IS A LINE ITEM FOR MADE DON'T REMEMBER EVERY.

BUT THESE ARE RESPONSIBILITY AND SOMETIMES CHILLING STORIES AND VERY REAL.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

THANKS GOP, HONOR, FOR HAVING YOU ON THE SHOW.

>> THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANK YOU FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL BE BACK TOMORROW AT THE SAME TIME WITH MORE COVERAGE OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE RIGHT HERE OFTEN ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

FOR OUR "CAPITOL JOURNAL" TEAM, I'M TODD STACEY.

WE WILL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.