Veterans Affairs
Gov. Kay Ivey and Lt. Gov. Will Ainsworth are at odds over a plan to put the Alabama Department of Veterans Affairs (ADVA) commissioner under the governor’s control. SB67 passed out of the Senate last week and has moved to the House of Representatives.
PBM Bills
Two separate Pharmacy Benefit Manager reform bills received a public hearing last week in the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee. The bills are expected to be assigned to a subcommittee this week tasked with reconciling the bills into a single version. The Alabama Alliance for Healthcare Consumers (AAHC), for which ATA is a member, is opposed to both bills.
Alfa Health Plan
The Alabama Farmers Federation is asking state lawmakers to allow it to sell its own health coverage to members. SB84 is currently opposed by Alabama’s largest health insurance provider, Blue Cross and Blue Shield, as well the the Business Council of Alabama (BCA). It is unclear wether or not this legislation will move during the 2025 legislative session, but its certainly a topic of discussion in the halls of the Alabama State House.
Immigration Bills
A package of immigration bills have been the focus of several lawmakers this session, with a number of bills filed and more expected. These bills are being described by proponents as a complement to President Trump’s federal crackdown effort.
Crime and Public Safety
Alabama House Speaker Nathaniel Ledbetter said that he expects the House to take up Gov. Kay Ivey’s Safe Alabama bill package in the coming weeks. The Safe Alabama bill package consists of eight bills designed to improve public safety and reduce crime.
