The audience listens as legislators give opening remarks at Saturday’s briefing at the Washington County Courthouse. Photo by Sally Hart

Medicaid modernization, allowable growth for school funding, medical marijuana, and the ability for psychologists to prescribe psychotropic drugs were all topics of discussion at Saturday’s legislative briefing. The second briefing of the legislative session was held at the Washington County Courthouse with State Representatives Jarad Klein and Dave Heaton, and Senators Kevin Kinney and Rich Taylor.

Richard Young, director of the Washington County Ambulance service, said they’re having trouble with getting things ready for the privatization of Medicaid as they’ve only received two of their three contracts for service. t this time, Medicaid Modernization is to go into effect March 1st, after being delayed from January 1st. Heaton explained his budget for human services depends on the estimated $110 million in savings from the action. Klein said that while they may not have implemented it, they’ve been tasked with making it work for the state.

The Senate Human Resources Committee approved a bill to stop Medicaid Modernization. Taylor said he wants to make sure nobody is falling through the cracks and that people are getting the proper health care and they know how to access it.

The next legislative briefing will be held Saturday, March 19th, from 10 to noon at the Washington County Courthouse.