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

WELCOME TO CAPITOL JOURNAL.

THE HOUSE AND SENATE HAVE ADJOURNED, AND MEMBERS HEADED BACK HOME FOR THE WEEKEND.

THIS WEEK THEY COMPLETED THE SEVENTH, EIGHTH AND NINTH LEGISLATIVE DAYS OF THE 30-DAY SESSION.

TODAY, THE SENATE FOCUSED ON BROADBAND, AND SPECIFICALLY EXPANDING ACCESS TO HIGH-SPEED INTERNET IN RURAL AREAS.

LAWMAKERS CONSIDERED THREE BILLS FROM SENATOR CLAY SCOFIELD OF GUNTERSVILLE.

SENATE BILL 123 WOULD UPGRADE THE STATE'S BROADBAND DEPLOYMENT PLAN TO ENSURE FIBER LINES CAN BE DELIVERED MORE QUICKLY.

SENATE BILL 124 UPDATES THE PROGRAM BY WHICH GRANTS ARE AWARDED.

AND SENATE BILL 125 WOULD AMEND THE CONSTITUTION TO ALLOW COUNTIES TO HAVE A BROADBAND GRANT PROGRAM WITHOUT RUNNING INTO LEGAL TROUBLE.

ALL BILLS PASSED UNANIMOUSLY.

>> I THINK THAT'S VERY IMPORTANT.

I THINK, YOU KNOW, I LIKE TO TURN BAD THINGS TO GOOD WHEN I CAN.

AND I THINK THIS DELAY CAN TURN INTO A POSITIVE THING.

WE WANT TO BE SURE, MAKE SURE, THE THING I'M EXCITED ABOUT IS BECAUSE WE HAVE LAID THE FOUNDATION BEFORE WE'VE GOT THESE DOLLARS, WE'RE ACTUALLY GOING TO BE ABLE TO HAVE A MUCH MORE TARGETED APPROACH.

WE'RE GOING TO MAXIMIZE THESE DOLLARS AND REALLY GET THEM TO THE AREAS THAT NEED IT.

AND COUNTIES NEED TO BE ABLE TO DO THAT TOO.

SO, WE NEED TO PROVIDE THEM THE ASSISTANCE THAT THEY NEED TO MAXIMIZE THEIR DOLLARS THAT THEY HAVE AS WELL.

>> ALSO IN THE SENATE, A BILL TO GIVE LAW ENFORCEMENT MORE FLEXIBILITY FOR WIRETAPPING IN FELONY DRUG CASES FAILED.

SENATE BILL 26 FROM SENATOR TOM BUTLER OF MADISON WOULD ALLOW STATE AND LOCAL POLICE TO TAP PHONE CALLS AND ONLINE COMMUNICATIONS FOR FELONY DRUG INVESTIGATIONS WITHOUT INVOLVING FEDERAL OFFICIALS IF THERE THEY CAN ESTABLISH PROBABLE CAUSE.

AN IDENTICAL BILL PASSED OVERWHELMINGLY IN THE HOUSE YESTERDAY, BUT THE SENATE VERSION HIT A SNAG WHEN QUESTIONS WERE RAISED.

>> SENATE BILL 26, THE ONE THAT TARGETS BIG TIME DRUG DEALERS IN THE STATE OF ALABAMA AND ALLOWS THE ATTORNEY GENERAL TO GO TO A CIRCUIT COURT AND GET AUTHORIZATION FOR A WIRE TAP, IT IS VERY LIMITED.

>> IT IS LIMITED TO 30 DAYS.

AND AT THE END OF THAT WIRE TAPPING, DOES THAT, I GUESS I'LL CALL THEM VICTIM OF THE PERPETRATOR, DO THEY GET NOTICE AT THE TIME THEY WERE WIRE TAPPED IF NOTHING HAPPENS.

>> YES, SIR, THEY DO.

AND THAT'S A GOOD QUESTION.

THEY ARE PUT ON NOTICE AFTER THE FACT AS LONG AS THE INVESTIGATION HAS HAS BEEN COMPLETED AT THAT TIME.

AND THEN ALSO, THAT OFFICER REPORTS ALL EVIDENCE OBTAINED BACK TO THAT JUDGE.

THAT'S RECORDED IN AOC, IN ALABAMA.

AND WE'RE ALSO UNDER THE WIRE TAP ACT, RESPONSIBLE FOR REPORTING THE NUMBER OF INTERCEPTS AND WHO IT WAS ON, BACK TO THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT.

>> I'LL TALK IN MORE DETAIL ON THIS ISSUE WITH REPRESENTATIVE REYNOLDS HERE IN A BIT.

THE HOUSE KEPT TO ITS REGULAR ORDER CALENDAR OF LEGISLATION.

FIRST TO PASS WAS A BILL ALLOWING RETAILERS TO USE A DRIVE-THROUGH OR WALK-UP WINDOW TO SELL BEER AND WINE.

THE BUSINESS WOULD HAVE TO BE LICENSED FOR OFF-PREMISES CONSUMPTION.

STATE REPRESENTATIVE GIL ISBELL OF GADSDEN IS THE SPONSOR OF HOUSE BILL 119.

>> WE'VE BEEN UP HERE SEVERAL TIMES DISCUSSING THIS.

AND WE'VE CARRIED IT OVER SEVERAL TIMES.

WHAT IT HAS TO DO IS FOR DRIVE-THRU OR WALK-UP WINDOW FOR THE PURPOSE OF BEER OR WINE.

>> MOST OF THE HIGH-PROFILE ISSUES ARE STILL BEING WORKED ON BEHIND THE SCENES.

ONE OF THOSE IS THE CONCEALED CARRY PERMIT ISSUE THAT HAS SEEN MULTIPLE BILLS DRAFTED.

HOUSE REPUBLICANS INCLUDED IN THEIR AGENDA THIS YEAR A PLAN TO DO AWAY WITH THE REQUIREMENT THAT GUN OWNERS BUY PERMITS FOR CONCEALED HANDGUNS.

HOUSE SPEAKER MAC MCCUTCHEON SAYS BILL PROPONENTS HAVE BEEN WORKING WITH INTEREST GROUPS TO ADDRESS CONCERNS ABOUT THE BILL AND THAT IT COULD START MOVING NEXT WEEK.

>> KEEP IN MIND THAT THE ORIGINAL CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY BILL, I BELIEVE IT WAS HOUSE BILL 66 WAS THE NUMBER ON IT, WE HAVE HOUSE BILL 272 NOW, WHICH IS A REWRITE OF THE CONSTITIONAL CARRY ISSUE.

IT'S A LOT BETTER BILL AND TAKES IN REGARDS TO LOCAL BUSINESSES, PRIVATE PROPERTY OWNERS, LAW ENFORCEMENT SAFETY.

ALL OF THESE ARE THINGS THAT ARE BEING WORKED ON AS WE SPEAK.

>> ANOTHER BILL BEING CLOSELY WATCHED IS THE SCHOOL CHOICE LEGISLATION FROM SENATOR DEL MARSH OF ANNISTON.

IT WOULD ALLOW PARENTS TO USE A PORTION OF THEIR STATE TAX DOLLARS TOWARD SENDING THEIR KIDS TO ALTERNATE SCHOOLS, INCLUDING PRIVATE SCHOOLS.

MARSH IS MAKING SEVERAL CHANGES TO THE BILL AFTER RECEIVING PUSHBACK FROM EDUCATION GROUPS.

SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM GREG REED SAID THOSE CONVERSATIONS HAVE IMPROVED THE BILL'S CHANCES, BUT HE DOESN'T EXPECT IT TO COME TO THE FLOOR NEXT WEEK.

>> I THINK THAT SENATOR MARSH CONTINUES TO WORK ON THE LEGISLATION, WORKING WITH MEMBERS IN THE HOUSE AND I THINK HE HAS HAD CONVERSATION WITH THE LEADERSHIP IN THE HOUSE ABOUT THE ISSUE.

I THINK THAT SENATOR MARSH'S GOAL WITH THE LEGISLATION IS TO CONTINUE TO KEEP THE PROCESS GOING OF DISCUSSING EDUCATION IN ALABAMA.

AGAIN, THERE'S A MUCH BROADER DISCUSSION GOING ON NOW, PROMPTED BY THE WORK THAT SENATOR MARSH HAS PUT INTO HIS LEGISLATION.

THINK IT'S A HEALTHY THING FOR US EDUCATORS, BUSINESS LEADERS AND HOW WE SUPPORT EDUCATORS AND FOCUSING ON WHAT'S BEST FOR ALABAMA'S KIDS.

>> A NEW POLL OUT TODAY SHOWS STRONG SUPPORT AMONG ALABAMA VOTERS FOR EXPANDING MEDICAID HEALTH SERVICES.

THE SURVEY, COMMISSIONED BY "COVER ALABAMA," SHOWED THAT MORE THAN 70% OF VOTERS SUPPORT EXPANDING MEDICAID.

FOR JUST REPUBLICAN VOTERS, THAT NUMBER WAS 66%.

LEGISLATIVE LEADERS SAID THEY DON'T EXPECT THE ISSUE TO BE RESOLVED THIS SESSION, BUT TALK OF EXPANSION IS ONGOING IN BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE.

>> THE CORONAVIRUS, AND WHAT WE'VE JUST BEEN THROUGH, ABOUT THE HEALTHCARE COVERAGE, AND MEDICAID IS A TOPIC DISCUSSED OVER AND AGAIN, NOT A POPULAR ISSUE WITH MANY OF THE MEMBERS.

THINK THE ATTITUDE, WHAT CAN WE DO, ESPECIALLY IN RURAL AREAS TO SUPPORT RURAL HOSPITALS HAS BEEN A VERY IMPORTANT THING.

AND YOU REMEMBER THAT WE JUST, IN THE LAST FEW WEEKS, WITH RESOURCES GOING TO HOSPITALS, IN PARTICULAR HOSPITALS IN RURAL AREAS, WE'VE ALLOCATED $30 MILLION TO BE ABLE TO SUPPORT THOSE HOSPITALS.

I THINK HEALTHCARE IS A VERY IMPORTANT THING, WHETHER IT'S IN THE FORM OF EXPANSION IS SOMETHING THAT'S HAD A REAL CHALLENGE IN THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS THUS FAR.

AND WE'RE CERTAINLY OPEN TO CONTINUE TO THINK ABOUT IT.

HEALTHCARE IS A TOPIC ALWAYS TO BE FOCUSED ON, ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT THINGS TO OUR MEMBERS BECAUSE IT'S IMPORTANT TO OUR CONSTITUENTS.

>> THE OTHER ISSUE, COMING TO THE EXPANSION OF MEDICAID, THAT IS, RURAL HEALTH.

HOW DO WE APPROACH RURAL HEALTH, TO HELP THE LOCAL RURAL HOSPITALS SURVIVE AND YET GET HEALTHCARE TO THOSE PEOPLE THAT NEED IT.

IT'S A CONTINUING DISCUSSION.

I'M NOT STANDING HERE SAYING THAT SOMETHING IS GOING TO BE PASSED.

BUT I'M SAYING IT'S ON THE TABLE AND WE'RE DISCUSSING THE RURAL MEDICAID HEALTHCARE ISSUE FOR SURE.

>> I'LL HAVE A MORE IN-DEPTH CONVERSATION ABOUT THE MEDICAID ISSUE WITH RYAN HANKINS OF THE PUBLIC AFFAIRS RESEARCH COUNCIL LATER IN THE SHOW.

WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> Todd Stacy: NEXT I'M JOINED WITH REPRESENTATIVE REYNOLDS.

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME ON.

>> YESTERDAY, YOU HAD TWO BILLS ON THE FLOOR, ONE DEALING WITH WIRE TAPPING.

TELL ME WHAT THIS BILL IS, WHAT IT DOES.

>> WELL, TITLE III WIRE TAP ACT, LAW ENFORCEMENT CAN USE IT FOR INVESTIGATIVE TOOL AND WE DON'T HAVE IT ON THE STATE LEVEL.

AND CERTAINLY OUR STATE LOCAL OFFICERS OUTNUMBER FEDERAL OFFICERS 10:1 AND THIS BILL IS VERY NARROWLY FOCUSED TO DRUG TRAFFICKING AND THAT'S OVER 2.2 POUNDS OF MARIJUANA, OUNCE OF COCAINE OR OVER 500 PILLS.

SO, THIS IS NOT FOR MARIJUANA USE OR USERS LIKE THAT.

THESE ARE THE PEOPLE THAT ARE TRAFFICKING MARIJUANA, COCAINE, HEROIN, AND CERTAINLY THE FENTANYL PROBLEM GOING ON IN ALABAMA, THIS IS GOING AFTER THE SOURCES THAT ARE PUMPING DRUGS INTO OUR STATE.

>> SO, IF I AM LAW ENFORCEMENT, UNDER THIS BILL, IF IT BECAME LAW, THEN I CAN TAP A PHONE CALL OR ONLINE COMMUNICATIONS IF THERE WAS PROBABLE CAUSE THAT CRIMES WERE BEING COMMITTED?

IS THAT RIGHT?

>> THAT'S RIGHT, TODD.

AND THE WAY I SET THE BILL UP, I WANTED TO TO HAVE AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY AND VERY FOCUSED AND NARROW AND NOT BROAD IN ANY KIND OF MISUSE.

I THINK WE'VE DONE THAT.

SO, ANY LOCAL AGENCY IN ALABAMA GOES TO THE SBI, STATE BURY BUREAU OF INVESTIGATION.

AND THEY INVESTIGATE THE PROBABLE CAUSE, THEN GOES TO THE ALEA SECRETARY.

ONCE SIGNED OFF THERE, THEN TO THE ATTORNEY GENERAL'S OFFICE.

THEY REVIEW IT AND THAT'S ALL BEFORE IT'S EVER RETURNED TO THE COURT OF JURISDICTION IN CIRCUIT COURT WITHIN THAT COMMUNITY.

SO, THINK WE'VE GOT SEVERAL LEVELS OF REVIEW TO INSURE THAT WE HAVE ADEQUATE PROBABLE CAUSE.

AND ONCE THE JUDGE SIGNS THE ORDER FOR ELECTRONIC INTERCEPT, IT'S ONLY GOOD FOR 30 CASE DAYS.

THAT OFFICER HAS TO COME IN BACK IN FRONT OF THE JUDGE AND PROVIDE PROBABLE CAUSE TO EXTEND THAT.

AND CERTAINLY, JUST BY THE WAY, THE WAY IT WORKS, I'VE DONE SEVERAL OF THEM IN MY CAREER IN NARCOTICS.

WHEN YOU ARE LISTENING TO THE DRUG TRAFFIC CONVERSATION, YOU ARE FINE.

BUT LET'S SAY SOMEONE'S GIRLFRIEND OR BOYFRIEND CALLS THEM, YOU HAVE TO SHUT THE MACHINE OFF.

THERE'S CODING IN THERE, HOW LONG YOU CODED IT OFF, LEFT IT OFF, AND THEN TO RECORD THE ILLEGAL CONVERSATION RELATED TO THE DRUG TRAFFICKING.

I BUILT IN A PROVISION, EVEN AS A 35-YEAR FORMER POLICE OFFICER, I BUILT IN THE CLASSIFICATION, THAT IT'S A FELONY IF LAW ENFORCEMENT ABUSES THIS MACHINE.

>> WELL, IN TODAY'S ERA, THERE'S A LOT OF CONCERN ABOUT ABUSE OF AUTHORITY AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

PEOPLE MAY GET NERVOUS OF WIRE TAPPING AND GETTING INTO ONLINE COMMUNICATIONS.

WHAT DO FOLKS THAT SAY, I'M CONCERNED ABOUT THE GOVERNMENT OVERREACH IN THAT REGARD.

>> I SAY THE DRUG TRAFFICKERS AT THAT LEVEL THEY HAVE ALL OF THE TECHNOLOGY IN THE WORLD EXPOSED TO THEM.

AND IT'S A HIGH DOLLAR INDUSTRY AND LAW ENFORCEMENT QUITE FRANKLY SHOULD BE AFFORDED THE SAME OPPORTUNITY.

LOTS OF THESE THINGS ARE DONE OVER THE PHONE, CELL PHONE, FAX TRANSMITTALS AND LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS TO HAVE FULL ACCESS TO THAT TO COMPLETE THE INVESTIGATION.

>> YOU ALSO HAD A BILL DEALING WITH THE COMMITMENT PROCESS FOR THOSE WHO ARE IN MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS.

>> WALK ME THROUGH WHAT THAT BILL DOES.

>> THAT'S A COMMITMENT REWRITE.

EVERYTHING THAT WE CHANGED IN THE BILL FURTHER SUPPORTS WHAT MENTAL HEALTH IS DOING WITH LAW ENFORCEMENT IN ALABAMA TODAY.

AND WITH OUR CRISIS INTERVENTION CENTERS BEING BUILT IN FOUR LOCATIONS ACROSS THE STATE, IT'S ABOUT GETTING CRITICAL CARE TO THOSE WHO NEED IT, EXPEDITED CRITICAL CARE.

AND THEN WE'RE TAKING THE PERSON MAYBE SUFFERING FROM MENTAL HEALTH TO A JAIL BEFORE WE TRY TO GET THEM HELP.

NOW, THE OFFICER, ALONG WITH THE MENTAL HEALTH COMMUNITY OFFICER CAN IDENTIFY THAT THERE IS TRULY A NEED FOR IMMEDIATE CARE.

THEY CAN BE TRANSPORTED TO ONE OF THE CRITICAL CARE FACILITIES IN ALABAMA.

THEN, I BUILT IN A PROVISION WHERE THE PROBATE JUDGE OF JURISDICTION HAS TO HEAR THE PROBABLE CAUSE IN THAT CASE FOR THE COMMITMENT WITHIN 48 HOURS -- AND ACTUALLY, IT WAS AMENDED, WE'RE NOW DOWN TO ONE BUSINESS DAY.

>> AND YOU SPENT 30 YEARS IN LAW ENFORCEMENT AND NOW YOU ARE A STATE LAWMAKER, HOW MUCH DOES THAT EXPERIENCE, BOTH BILLS AND HOW MUCH DOES THAT HELP YOU TO NAVIGATE ACTUALLY WRITING STATE LAWS.

>> I THINK IT HELPS.

CERTAINLY I'M RETIRED NOW AND CERTAINLY I WORK WITH THE MENTAL HEALTH DEPARTMENT AND I WORK WITH ALEA, SHERIFFS ASSOCIATION, CHIEF'S ASSOCIATION AND THEIR CHALLENGES CHANGE.

IT MAY CHANGE TODAY VERSUS WHAT I WENT THROUGH.

BUT I CAN PUT A REAL LIFE APPLICATION, AS I DID A COUPLE TIMES ON THE FLOOR OF THE HOUSE, BUT IT MAKES MEMBERS UNDERSTAND HOW THIS APPLIES.

>> ONE ISSUE THAT IS COMING TO A HEAD THIS YEAR AGAIN FOR THE SECOND YEAR IS THIS RIOT BILL.

LEGISLATION FROM MR. TREADAWAY THAT CHANGES THE DEFINITION IN STATE LAW, WHAT A RIOT IS AND PENALTIES ON THOSE THAT PARTICIPATE IN RIOTS.

WE SAW SOME OF THIS.

YOU SAW IT IN HUNTSVILLE.

AND THE RESPONSE TO GEORGE FLOYD'S DEATH.

THERE WERE VIOLENT INTERACTIONS.

HOW DO YOU BALANCE THE NEED FOR PROTECTING THE RIGHT TO GATHER AND FOR FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION AND EVERYTHING WHILE ALSO PREVENTING VIOLENCE FROM A LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSPECTIVE.

>> RIGHT.

YOU SAID IT.

THERE'S A DIVIDE THERE.

AND THERE ARE THOSE TO BE THERE AND WANT TO PROTEST AND EXPRESS THEIR CONDITIONS OPINIONS, WITHIN THE CONFINEMENTS OF THE LAW.

BUT ALSO, THERE WERE SOME TO BE THERE, TO DISRUPT THEIR RIGHT TO PROTEST AND DISRUPT OTHER ACTIVITIES IN THE AREA.

AND CHAIRMAN TREADAWAY EXPLAINS IT GREAT, THE RESOURCES ARE OVERWHELMED BECAUSE YOU DO STAFFING IN WHAT WE CALL A SPECIAL EVENT LIKE THAT.

AND THOSE PEOPLE THAT CROSS THAT LINE AND ARE ARRESTED, THEN THEY HAVE SOMEBODY, A PROCESS WHERE THEY IMMEDIATELY BOND BACK OUT AND RIGHT BACK ON THE LINES.

THAT'S HARD FOR LAW ENFORCEMENT TO STAFF AND HOLD ADEQUATE RESOURCES TO QUITE FRANKLY PROTECT THOSE OUT THERE THAT WANT TO LAWFULLY PROTECT.

AND TO PROTECT REAL PROPERTY, THE BUSINESS PROPERTIES IN THE AREA.

>> AND REAL QUICK ON THE WIRE TAPPING BILL, I SAW THAT THE SENATE DIDN'T PASS IT.

ARE YOU WORRIED THAT'S GOING TO BE A PROBLEM?

DO YOU THINK YOU ARE GOING TO GET ENOUGH VOTES TO GET IT THROUGH THE SENATE?

>> THAT'S WORRISOME, AND NOT REALLY DOVE INTO THE INDIVIDUAL.

I'M DOING THAT.

I SPOKE TO A COUPLE SENATORS TODAY AND I HAVE ONE THAT'S GOING TO CHANGE HIS VOTE AND I THINK WE'LL WAIT, BECAUSE WE PASSED OURS OVERWHELMING IN THE HOUSE, THREE YEARS IN A ROW, THEY ARE GOING TO WAIT UNTIL MY BILL COMES IN THE SENATE.

I'LL GO BACK TO COMMITTEE AND HOPEFULLY ANSWER SOME OF THEIR QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS THAT WE CAN GET TO A VOTE TO PASS THIS THING.

>> WELL, I APPRECIATE YOU COMING ON THE SHOW TO ANSWER SOME OF OUR QUESTIONS ABOUT IT.

>> YES, SIR.

>> AND WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> LYONS COUNTY NATIVE, E.D.

NIXON WAS A LONG TIME WORKER IN THE CIVIL RIGHTS.

HE WORKS WORKED TIRELESS TO GET RIGHTS IN 1945.

HE WAS ELECTED AS THE PRESIDENT OF THE MONTGOMERY CHAPTER OF THE NAACP.

IN 1955, NIXON AND A GROUP OF MONTGOMERY CLERGY FOUNDED THE MIA, MONTGOMERY IMPROVEMENT AGENCY AND IT WAS A FOCAL POINT FOR ACTIVISM IN THE MONTGOMERY AND THEY ORGANIZED THE MONTGOMERY BUS BOYCOTT.

THEY REFUSED TO RIDE THE BECAUSE BUS FOR 381 DAYS.

AND THEN, THE MONTGOMERY MONTGOMERY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOL SYSTEM NAMED A SCHOOL IN HIS HONOR IN 2001.

>> NEXT UP, RYAN HANKINS OF THE PUBLIC RESEARCH COUNCIL OF ALABAMA.

RYAN, THANKS FOR COMING ON COURAGEMENT "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

>> THANKS FOR HAVING ME.

>> TELL US ABOUT PARKA AND WHAT YOUR ORGANIZATION DOES?

>> PARKA IS A 30-YEAR-OLD NON PARTISAN, NON PROFIT ORGANIZATION TO PROVIDE POLICY ANALYSIS AND DATA RESEARCH FOR PEOPLE AND LEADERS OF ALABAMA.

WE TRY TO HELP OUR CITIZENS UNDERSTAND PERTINENT ISSUES IN THE STATE AND CITIES, OUR ELECTED OFFICIALS AND OTHER LEADERS MAKE THE BEST DECISIONS THEY CAN.

WE WERE FOUNDED IN LATE 1980'S BY MR.

BREWER AND CLUNG TO THE COMMISSION OF INDEPENDENCE, OBJECTIVITY AND NON PARTISANSHIP FOR ALL THOSE 30 PLUS YEARS.

>> RECENTLY, YOU RELEASED A REPORT ABOUT MEDICAID EXPANSION, SPECIFICALLY ON THE FINANCE SIDE OF THAT.

WHAT DID THE REPORT SHOW?

>> SO, WE BEGAN THIS REPORT, LAST FALL, LOOKING AT IT, AS YOU SAY, THE ECONOMIC EXPANSION IN ALABAMA.

WE DIDN'T KNOW WHAT WE WOULD FIND.

MY HUNCH IS THAT WE WOULD FIND THAT IT WOULD BE ECONOMICALLY VIABLE, MAYBE JUST BARELY BUT ENOUGH TO PROMPT A CONVERSATION OF LAWMAKERS.

WHAT WE FOUND WAS SOMETHING VERY DIFFERENT.

WE FOUND NOT ONLY IS IT AFFORDABLE FOR ALABAMA TO EXPAND, BUT THE STATE WOULD ACTUALLY SAVE MONEY AND ACTUALLY SPEND LESS IF WE EXPANDED MEDICAID THAN WE SPEND RIGHT NOW.

THESE THAT'S INTERESTING BECAUSE THE EXPANSION, THE GOVERNOR AND OTHER LAWMAKERS SAY, WE LIKE THE IDEA OF EXPANDING HEALTHCARE SERVICES TO MORE PEOPLE BUT THE STATE SIMPLY CAN'T AFFORD THAT.

BUT YOUR RESEARCH SHOWS DIFFERENT?

>> WELL, IT'S A REASONABLE QUESTION.

AND IT'S A QUESTION THAT SHOULD BE ASKED.

AND LAWMAKERS ASK ABOUT THAT, ANY PROPOSAL.

AND GIVEN THE LONG HISTORY OF THE CHALLENGE, IT'S NOT UNREASONABLE TO BELIEVE THAT WE COULD NOT AFFORD EXPANSION.

BUT WHAT WE FOUND WERE, BECAUSE OF THE DYNAMICS, THE STRUCTURE OF MEDICAID NOW, BECAUSE OF NEW FEDERAL INCENTIVES, WE FOUND THAT'S NO LONGER THE CASE, NOT A QUESTION OF CAN WE AFFORD IT ANY MORE.

IN FACT, IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT WE'RE SPENDING MONEY ON A POPULATION OF ALABAMIANS NOW.

SO, THE EXPANSION DOES NOT MEAN WE GO FROM $0 ON THAT POPULATION TO MILLIONS.

WE'RE ALREADY SPENDING HUNDREDS OF MILLS ON HEALTHCARE FOR THAT POPULATION.

WE'RE FUNDING BETWEEN 28% AND 100% OF THE COST.

WHEREAS, IF IT WE EXPAND MEDICAID, WE'RE PICKING UP 20% OF THE CAST COST.

>> AND WE'RE TALKING ABOUT ISSUES LIKE THAT IN THE STATE HOUSE ALMOST ON AN ACADEMIC LEVEL, MEDICAID EXPANSION AND POLICY EXPAND STANDPOINT AND IT HAS REAL WORLD IMPACT.

WHAT'S THE REAL WORLD IMPACT OF THE MEDICAID EXPANSION.

>> WELL, WHAT WE KNOW BASED ON THE MOST RECENT REPORTS FROM THE ALABAMA MEDICAID AGENCY, THE PROGRAM COVERS 922 THOUSAND ALABAMIANS.

AND TO BE COVERED, YOU MUST BE PREGNANCY, DISABLED, BLIND, OR OVER 65, LOW INCOME, COUPLE OF OTHER CRITERIA.

AND WITH EACH ONE OF THOSE CRITERIA, THERE'S VARIABLE, STRICT AND OTHER INCOME REQUIREMENTS.

WHAT IT REALLY MEANS IS IF YOU ARE QUOTE, UNQUOTE LOW INCOME, YOU ARE STILL PROBABLY TOO WEALTHY TO QUALIFY FOR MEDICAID.

>> RIGHT NOW?

>> RIGHT NOW.

IN FACT, IF YOU HAVE A CHILD ON MEDICAID, THE ONLY WAY YOU COULD WOULD QUALIFY FOR MEDICAID, IF YOU WERE NOT BLIND OR DISABLED, INCOME FOR A FAMILY OF FOUR, YOUR INCOME IS LESS THAN $3,500.

THAT'S A VERY, VERY LOW ECONOMIC THRESHOLD.

SO WHAT THAT MEANS, THERE'S 600,000 ALABAMIANS THAT COULD QUALIFY TO RECEIVE MEDICAID IF WE EXPANDED.

THAT MEANS ACCESS TO A DOCTOR, ACCESS TO HOSPITALIZATION.

REALLY IT WOULD BE A BOON TO THE WORK FORCE.

BECAUSE WE KNOW THAT NOT ONLY DO EMPLOYERS STRUGGLE TO FIND WORKERS RIGHT NOW, BUT ALSO, WORKERS WHO ARE AND REMAIN HEALTHY TO COME AND DO THE WORK.

SO, IT WOULD BE TRANSFORMATIVE FOR ADULTS WHO STRUGGLE TO FIND HEALTHCARE RIGHT NOW.

>> AND I WAS TALKING TO SOME LAWMAKERS ABOUT THE PARKER REPORT, THE POLLING GOING AROUND.

THEY POINTED OUT AN IMPORTANT CAVEAT.

MUCH OF THE REVENUE GROWTH THAT IS PROJECTED FROM MEDICAID EXPANSION.

THAT REVENUE WOULD BE SEEN IN THE EDUCATION TRUST FUND WHEREAS MEDICAID FUNDS IT.

AND YOU CAN TALK ABOUT A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT TO GET THIS DONE.

ISN'T THAT A LITTLE BIT IMPRACTICAL?

>> WELL, THAT WAS THE QUESTION ON MY MIND WHEN I ENTERED THE STUDY.

AS WE KEPT DOING THE MATH ANALYSIS, IN THE BACK OF MY MIND, MY QUESTION WAS, WELL JUST WHAT YOU ASKED, ABOUT THE MISMATCH BETWEEN REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES.

WHAT WE FOUND IN THE REPORT, IT MAY WELL BE A MOOT ISSUE BECAUSE AGAIN WE'RE ALREADY SPENDING MONEY.

AND WHAT WE FOUND WAS THAT, IF WE EXPAND MEDICAID, IT WOULD COST US AN AVERAGE OF $225 MILLION A YEAR.

BUT ON THE BACK END, WE WOULD SEVERAL SAVE WELL MORE THAN $300 MILLION A YEAR.

AND WE SAVE ABOUT A NET OF $175 MILLION ON AVERAGE EACH YEAR OVER THE NEXT 6 YEARS.

THAT'S A LOT OF NUMBERS THROWN AT YOU.

BUT WHAT IT MEANS, WE CAN SIMPLY EXPAND BY MOVING A POPULATION OF PEOPLE TO THE FEDERAL REIMBURSEMENT OF MEDICAID, INSTEAD OF ALABAMIANS PAYING UP TO 100%.

AND WE'D SAVE ENOUGH MONEY SO IT DOESN'T MATTER WHERE THE REVENUE GOES.

IF YOU FOLLOW THAT MATH, IT'S A LOT OF MATH LATE IN THE EVENING.

BUT WE WOULDN'T HAVE TO FIGURE OUT A WAY TO MOVE REF LUCE NEWS FROM THE E.T.F.

TO THE GENERAL FUND TO COVER THE EXPANSION.

THE EXPANSION ESSENTIALLY PAYS FOR ITSELF.

>> AND I KNOW THAT THE PARKA ANNUAL MEETING IS COMING UP HERE IN ABOUT A MONTH.

WHAT CAN WE EXPECT FROM THIS YEAR'S MEETING.

>> WELL, MARCH 11, BIRMINGHAM, REALIZING OUR POTENTIAL.

IT'S GOING TO BE AN EXAMINATION OF WHAT THE SAID IS DOING NOW AROUND LITERACY.

WE KNOW THAT ALABAMA STUDENTS ARE AMONGST LOWEST IN THE COUNTRY BOTH BASIC LITERACY AND MATH.

THIS MEETING WILL NOT BE DIVING INTO THOSE NUMBERS.

WE KNOW THAT NARRATIVE.

THE MEETING IS GOING TO BE, WHAT ARE WE DOING TO ADDRESS THE LITERACY AND WHAT CAN WE DO TO ADDRESS THAT IN MATH, WHAT THE TEACHERS CALL NUMERACY.

AND WE'LL HAVE A CONVERSATION WITH DOCTOR MACKEY AND HIS COUNTERPART IN MISSISSIPPI.

>> WELL, THE PARKA FORUM IS ALWAYS VERY IMPORTANT AND SUBSTANTIVE DISCUSSION.

WE LOOK FORWARD TO IT.

THANKS FOR COMING ON "CAPITOL JOURNAL," RYAN.

>> THANK YOU VERY MUCH.

>> AND WE'LL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> AND THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

MAKE SURE TO TUNE IN TOMORROW FOR OUR WEEK IN REVIEW AT 7:30 P.M.

HERE ON APT.

FOR OUR CAPITOL JOURNAL TEAM, I'M TODD STACY.