2026 Regular Session - Day 50 - HB 676 | Rep. Rebecca Raymer

Thank you Mr. Speaker. House Bill 676 creates a statewide health data utility. Health care costs are rising and we as policymakers are tasked with making decisions and crafting policies to keep costs down while ensuring quality health care is being delivered to our citizens. We want lower costs and better outcomes. That's easy to say but it's harder to deliver. That is why we need a statewide health data utility so that we can make more informed precise policy decisions based on sound data that we as the General Assembly have access to. We need a system that supports policymakers in our task of doing what is best for our commonwealth. In working on this legislation it became clear this project needed more time to ensure that we get it right. Which brings me to House Floor Amendment number three. The amendment is a complete substitute. It removes the original language of the bill and instead directs the Legislative Research Commission to conduct an interim study on the development of the statewide health data utility. What it should look like, where it should be housed, and how it should function for the commonwealth. I move adoption of House Floor Amendment number three. I ask the clerk to report House Floor Amendment number three. Mr. Clerk please report. House Floor Amendment three to House Bill 676. Lady from Butler. Move adoption. Motion made for the adoption of House Floor Amendment three. Is there any discussion? Seeing none. All those in favor please signify by saying aye. All opposed nay. Motion carries. House Floor Amendment three is adopted. Lady from Butler. I'm also aware members have received correspondence from the cabinet opposing a utility housed outside of the cabinet. Let me say this. However we move forward in the future we must ensure we have access to the information that we need to make the sound health care policy the commonwealth is depending on us to make. Data is not partisan, it is facts, and it should not be politicized or held hostage. I move for passage of House Bill 676 as amended by Floor Amendment number three.