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

WELCOME TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

TODAY WAS THE NINTH DAY OF THE ALABAMA LEGISLATURE'S 2025 REGULAR SESSION.

OUR COVERAGE STARTS IN THE SENATE, WHERE LEGISLATION AIMED TO REDUCE CRIME WAS ON THE FLOOR.

SENATE BILL 116 FROM STATE SENATOR WILL BARFOOT WOULD BAN SO-CALLED GLOCK SWITCHES UNDER STATE LAW.

THE DEVICES CAN ESSENTIALLY TUR A REGULAR HANDGUN INTO A MACHIN GUN THAT SPRAYS BULLETS RAPIDLY MAKING THEM ESPECIALLY DANGEROU IN MASS SHOOTINGS.

MACHINE GUN CONVERSION DEVICES ARE ALREADY ILLEGAL UNDER FEDERAL LAW, BUT STATE LEADERS SAY A STATE BAN IS NEEDED TO ALLOW LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT TO CRACK DOWN ON THE WEAPONS.

ARE.

>> CERTAINLY LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS THE ABILITY NOW TO PROSECUTE THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE THOSE MACHINE GUN CONVERSION DEVICES COMMONLY REFERRED TO AS A "GLOCK SWITCH."

UNDER FEDERAL LAW THEY HAD THAT ABILITY BUT WHEN YOU HAVE A STATE LAW, SHERIFFS AND LOCAL POLICE DON'T HAVE THE AUTHORITY TO ARREST THOSE FOLKS UNDER FEDERAL LAW WHICH IS ALREADY ILLEGAL.

THIS GIVES THEM THAT TOOL SO THAT GIVEN A DETAINMENT OR STOP THEY CONFISCATE THAT ITEM AND HOLD IT UNTIL THE CASE IS OVER WITH.

IT'S BEEN A COLLABORATIVE EFFORT.

LAW ENFORCEMENT, THE GOVERNOR'S HOUSE, THE HOUSE AND SENATE AND ACROSS THE AISLE, REPUBLICANS AND DEMOCRATS.

FROM THAT STANDPOINT WE HAVE DONE A GOOD DAY'S WORK AND WILL SEND IT TO IT HOUSE AND IT'S GOING DOWN THERE AND HOPEFULLY GET FINAL PASSAGE THERE.

>> THAT BILL PASSED UNANIMOUSLY AND NOW GOES TO THE HOUSE.

THE SENATE ALSO TOOK UP LEGISLATION EXPANDING THE IMPAC OF ANIAH'S LAW.

THAT'S A CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PASSED FOUR YEARS AGO ALLOWING JUDGES TO DENY BAIL TO THOSE CHARGED WITH VIOLENT CRIMES.

SENATE BILLS 118 AND 119 WOULD EXPAND THE LIST OF OFFENSES IN WHICH BAIL CAN BE DENIED TO INCLUDE THE ILLEGAL POSSESSION OF A FIREARM AND SHOOTING INTO HOUSE OR VEHICLE.

THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT PASSED, BUT LAWMAKERS CARRIED OVER THE ENABLING LEGISLATION T ALLOW TIME TO MAKE SURE THE LANGUAGE WAS JUST RIGHT.

>> IT'S EXTREMELY IMPORTANT TO BALANCE THE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS OF THOSE INDIVIDUALS WHO HAVE BEEN CHARGED AND HAVEN'T BEEN CONVICTED ASSOCIATION BALANCING THOSE CONSTITUTIONAL RIGHTS AND MAKING SURE THAT WE DON'T INFRINGE ON THOSE AND STILL GIVING THE COURTS THE ABILITY TO HEAR THAT EVIDENCE IN A TIMELY FASHION AS PUT ON BY THE DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S ASSOCIATION OR DISTRICT ATTORNEY'S OFFICE AND THE DEFENSE COUNSEL FOR THOSE INDIVIDUALS SO THERE'S PROCEDURAL CHANGES THAT WE'RE WORKING THROUGH ON HOW ANIAH'S LAW, THE HEARING ITSELF WORKS AND THE TIME FRAME FOR THAT.

THE ENABLING PART OF SB-119 WOULD INCLUDE THE FACT IF THAT INDIVIDUAL WHO IS OUT ON BOND FOR ONE OF THOSE TYPES OF FELONY OFFENSES IS IN POSSESSION OF A FIREARM THERE COULD BE A NEW CHARGE PUT ON THEM FOR POSSESSING THE FIREARM.

IT'S IMPORTANT TO REALIZE IF THE UNDERLYING CHARGE IS VACATED, DISMISSED, FOUND NOT GUILTY, IT WAS NOLLE PROSSED, THAT THAT ADDITIONAL CHARGE GOES AWAY.

SO WE DO NOT WANT TO MAKE PEOPLE FELONS FOR VIOLATING THAT PROVISION IF THE UNDERLYING CHARGES SELF HAS GONE AWAY.

>> LEGISLATION RELATED TO CRIME WAS ALSO CONSIDERED IN THE HOUSE.

HOUSE BILL 287 FROM STATE REPRESENTATIVE JUANDALYN GIVAN WOULD REQUIRE MUNICIPAL POLICE DEPARTMENTS TO REPORT TO THE STATE ON THE NUMBER OF OFFICERS THEY HAVE ON THE BOOKS.

GIVAN SAID IT'S MEANT TO ALLOW STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT TO SEE MORE ACCURATELY WHERE THE SHORTAGES EXIST.

>> BEFORE YOU MEMBERS IS HB-287 THAT WILL REQUIRE A MUNICIPALITY TO REPORT ON AN ANNUAL BASIS TO THE NUMBER OF SWORN LAW ENFORCEMENT A-POST-CERTIFIED OFFICERS TO THE ALABAMA STATE LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY AND ATTORNEY GENERAL.

THIS PIECE OF LEGISLATION, IF ENACTED, WOULD MANDATE THIS REQUIREMENT.

IT SHALL BE A SHELL AND NOT A MUST.

THERE ARE ALSO PENALTIES THAT WILL BE IMPOSED AGAINST MY MUNICIPALITY WHO FAILS TO SUPPORT -- TO SUBMIT THIS INFORMATION IN A TIMELY MANNER.

THIS BILL, IF ENACTED, WILL REQUIRE THE FIRST REPORTING TO TAKE PLACE NO LATER THAN 60 DAYS AFTER IT HAS BEEN -- AFTER SIGNING BY THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

>> THAT BILL PASSED WITHOUT OBJECTION AND NOW GOES TO THE SENATE.

TODAY THE JOINT LEGISLATIVE ADVISORY COMMITTEE ON ECONOMIC INCENTIVES MET TO HEAR FROM COMMERCE SECRETARY ELLEN MCNAIR ON HOW THE ALABAMA JOBS ACT AND OTHER INCENTIVE PROGRAMS ARE IMPACTING JOB GROWTH.

MCNAIR SAID THE STATE'S JOB INCENTIVES MORE THAN MAY FOR THEMSELVES.

>> TODAY WE REPORTED ON THE SUCCESS OF OUR JOBS ACT INCENTIVES FOR NEW AND EXPANDED INDUSTRIES.

OVER THE LAST 10 YEARS OF THE PROGRAM, WE'VE HAD OVER 224 COMPANIES PARTICIPATE WITH INCENTIVES.

AND OF THOSE 149 ARE NOW REPORTING THEIR RESULTS.

AND THE RESULTS ARE JUST FABULOUS.

THE ESTIMATE WAS ABOUT 50 PERCENT RETURN ON INVESTMENT TO THE STATE.

BUT OUR ACTUAL NUMBERS NOW ARE WELL OVER 100% RETURN ON INVESTMENT TO OUR STATE.

>> WE'VE BEEN REPORTING ON LEGISLATION REVAMPING THE GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE OF THE ALABAMA DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS.

IT DEVELOPED IN THE WAKE OF THE MESSY INTERAGENCY DISPUTE LAST YEAR THAT LED TO THE DISMISSAL OF VA COMMISSIONER KENT DAVIS.

SENATE BILL 67 WOULD ELEVATE TH COMMISSIONER POSITION TO BE PAR OF THE GOVERNOR'S CABINET AND PART OF THAT CHAIN OF COMMAND.

IT WOULD ALSO MAKE THE STATE BOARD OF VETERANS AFFAIRS MADE UP OF APPOINTMENTS OF VARIOUS VETERANS GROUPS AN ADVISORY ONE RATHER THAN ADMINISTRATIVE.

THE BILL PASSED THE SENATE LAST WEEK AFTER SEVERAL AMENDMENTS WERE ADDED AT THE REQUEST OF VETERANS ORGANIZATIONS.

BUT NOT EVERYONE IS SATISFIED.

DOZENS RALLIED AGAINST THE BILL ON THE STATE HOUSE STEPS TODAY SAYING THE BILL SHOULD BE SCRAPPED AND THE DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS DOESN'T NEED REFORM.

AMONG THE SPEAKER WERE BECKY GERRITSON OF EAGLE FORUM AND KENT DAVIS HIMSELF.

>> WE ARE TOLD THAT IT'S IMPORTANT TO HAVE AS A CABINET LEVEL POSITION SO THAT THE DEPARTMENT WON'T BE IN THE EAR OF THE GOVERNOR.

WELL, LET ME REMIND YOU, THE GOVERNOR IS THE HEAD OF THE BOARD.

SHE SHOULD BE AT THOSE MEETINGS WHO CAN GET MORE IN THE EAR OF THE GOVERNOR THAN THE GOVERNOR'S OWN EAR.

THIS MAKES NO SENSE!

>> THERE ARE ABOUT 4 HUNDRED THOUSAND VETERANS IN THIS STATE.

WHEN YOU ADD IN THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS, YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT A QUARTER OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA.

PROBABLY THE LARGEST VOTING BLOCK IN THIS STATE.

WHY IS THAT IMPORTANT?

IT'S IMPORTANT FOR THIS BILL.

BUT IT'S IMPORTANT FOR ALL OF OUR RIGHTS.

THESE ARE MEN AND WOMEN WHO HAVE SERVED THEIR COUNTRY, SOMETIMES AT GREAT RISK, SOMETIMES GIVING THEIR LIFE FOR THIS COUNTRY.

I WOULD URGE YOU, EXERCISE THAT RIGHT THAT YOU EARNED.

IF ANYBODY HAS EARNED THE RIGHT TO HAVE YOUR VOICE HEARD AND TO TALK TO YOUR ELECTED OFFICIALS, IT'S THOSE VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILY MEMBERS WHO HAVE BORN THE BATTLE FOR THIS COUNTRY.

SO PLEASE TALK TO YOUR ELECTED OFFICIAL.

YOU EARNED THAT RIGHT UNDER THE FIRST AMENDMENT.

AND DO NOT STEP DOWN FROM THAT.

AND I WOULD SAY IT'S AN OBLIGATION.

>> DESPITE TODAY'S RALLY, MOST VETERANS SERVICE ORGANIZATION REMAIN IN SUPPORT OF THE BILL.

THAT INCLUDES THE VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS, THE AMERICAN LEGION AND AMERICAN VETERANS, KNOWN AS AMVETS.

THOSE GROUPS SENT OUT A STATEMENT THROUGH THE GOVERNOR' OFFICE TODAY URGING THE LEGISLATURE TO PASS SENATE BILL 67.

THEY ALSO CALLED ON THEIR FELLO VETERANS TO MAKE SURE THEY ARE READING THE AMENDED VERSION OF THE BILL.

I ALSO CAUGHT UP WITH STATE REPRESENTATIVE ED OLIVER, CHAIRMAN OF THE MILITARY AND VETERANS AFFAIRS COMMITTEE.

HE SAID HE APPRECIATES THE INPU OF ALL VETERANS AND LOOKS FORWARD TO ADVANCING A QUALITY BILL TO THE HOUSE FLOOR SOON.

>> IT WAS SPACE DAY HERE AT THE STATE HOUSE.

THE ANNUAL EVENT SHINES A SPOTLIGHT ON THE STATE'S CRITICAL ROLE IN SPACE EXPLORATION AND THE AEROSPACE INDUSTRY.

STATE LAWMAKERS ALSO RECOGNIZED ALABAMA'S CONTRIBUTIONS TO SPAC EXPLORATION WITH OFFICIAL PROCLAMATIONS ON THE FLOORS OF BOTH THE HOUSE AND SENATE, HONORING THE MARSHALL SPACE FLIGHT CENTER AND THE U.S. SPAC AND ROCKET CENTER.

>> TODAY WE'RE CELEBRATING ALABAMA SPACE DAY, WHICH IS A CELEBRATION OF ALL OF THE ACTIVITIES GOING ON WITHIN ALABAMA, BOTH AT A U.S. GOVERNMENT LEVEL AS WELL AS INDUSTRY PARTNERS AND ACADEMIC PARTNERS.

IT'S BEEN AMAZING TODAY.

IT'S A BIG TURNOUT FROM DIFFERENT SCHOOLS AND INDUSTRY PARTNERS.

JUST A WAY TO CELEBRATE EVERYTHING THAT WE'VE BEEN DOING OVER THE LAST 65 YEARS IN THE STATE.

AND MAKING SURE THAT WE'RE INSPIRING THE NEXT GENERATION OF STUDENTS AND TO GET INTO SCIENCE AND ENGINEERING AS WELL AS BUSINESS MAJORRERS AND THINGS LIKE THAT.

WE NEED A COMBINED EFFORT ACROSS THE ENTIRE STATE TO ACHIEVE NOT ONLY NASA'S GOALS BUT AMERICA'S GOALS IN SPACE.

>> TODAY WAS ALSO ADVOCACY DAY FOR THOSE WANTING TO EXPAND MEDICAID IN ALABAMA.

COMING UP AFTER THE BREAK, I'LL SIT DOWN WITH DAVID SILVERSTIEN FROM BIRMINGHAM TO HEAR THE CAS HE AND OTHER ADVOCATES ARE MAKING TO THE LEGISLATURE.

STAY WITH US.

>> THERE IS A SHORTAGE IN THE ELECTRICAL TRADE, AND WE DIDN'T SEE THE TALENT COMING IN, SO WE DECIDED THAT THE BEST THICK TO DO WAS TO TRAIN OUR OWN.

>> I'M STEPHEN COOPER AND I'M AN ELECTRICAL APPRENTICE.

I WAS IN THE 8 GRADE AND THE ELECTRICAL TRADE HAD MY ATTENTION.

I WENT TO SCHOOL EVERY DAY TO LEARN AS MUCH AS I CAN, AND THEN I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO APPLY FOR THIS JOB, AND THAT'S HOW I ENDED UP HERE TODAY.

>> STEPHEN'S A GREAT KID.

COMES IN YOUR OFFICE FIRST THING, SMILING, SHAKING YOUR HAND.

WE STARTED THE APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM SO THAT WE WOULD BE ABLE TO TRAIN OUR OWN EMPLOYEES RATHER THAN HIRE FROM OUTSIDE THEIR EARNING WAGES BECAUSE THEY'RE AN ACTUAL EMPLOYEE WORKING IN THE FIELDS DURING DAYTIME AND GOING TO CLASS AT NIGHT.

STEPHEN IS IN THE SECOND YEAR OF INTERNSHIP.

HE IS DOING GREAT AND SERIOUS IN THE CLASSROOM.

HE DOES WHAT IT TAKES IN ORDER TO LEARN EVERY ASPECT OF THE TRADE.

>> BECAUSE I KNEW IT WAS IT WOULD AGAIN IMPACT MY FUTURE.

I THINK THIS JOB IS IMPORTANT BECAUSE NOT EVERYONE HAS THE SKILLS TO INTERPRET BLUEPRINTS AND UNDERSTAND ELECTRICAL CODE.

>> IT'S A FOUR-YEAR APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM.

AND WE HAVE CLASS ONE NIGHT A WEEK, AND PREPARE FOR THE JOURNEYMAN'S EXAM.

STEPHEN IS PAIRED WITH A JOURNEYMAN ELECTRICIAN IN ORDER TO BE MENTORED AND TRAINED TO BE ABLE TO PERFORM ELECTRICAL WORK.

>> MY MENTORS ARE ALAN JOHNSON AND CORY ROBINSON.

I DO STUFF -- I DO IT SOMETIMES THE WRONG WAY BUT THEY SHOWED ME THE PROPER WAY TO DO IT.

>> IT INCREASES THE STAFF LOYALTY BECAUSE THEY FEEL LIKE YOU'RE INVESTING IN THEM.

WHEN SOMEONE FEELS LIKE YOU'RE INVESTING IN THEM, THEY PERFORM BETTER.

THE ALABAMA OFFICE OF APPRENTICESHIP WILL COME TO YOUR OFFICE AND WALK YOU THROUGH THE PAPERWORK AND HELP YOU STEP-BY-STEP ON BECOMING AN APPRENTICESHIP PROGRAM.

>> WELCOME BACK TO "CAPITOL JOURNAL."

JOINING ME NEXT IS DAVID SILVERSTEIN OF THE FIVE STONE GROUP.

WELCOME TO THE SHOW.

>> NICE TO BE WITH YOU.

>> YOU WERE PARTY OF ADVOCACY DAY FOR EXPANDING MEDICAID.

Y'ALL HAD A GROUP HERE TALKING TO LAWMAKERS, MAKING THE CASE, LET ME ASK YOU AS A BUSINESS OWNER FROM BIRMINGHAM, WHAT IS THE CASE YOU'RE MAKING IN TERMS OF WHY THE STATE SHOULD EXPAND MEDICAID.

>> WELL, FOR ME THERE ARE TWO ISSUES.

CERTAINLY THE MORAL ISSUE IN THAT WE HAVE CONTINUED TO IGNORE CLOSE TO 3 HUNDRED THOUSAND PEOPLE THAT WOULD OTHERWISE HAVE HEALTH CARE INSURANCE IF WE EXPANDED MEDICAID.

TO ME THAT ALONE IS SIGNIFICANT ENOUGH TO HAVE OUR STATE MOVE FORWARD WITH IT.

BUT THERE'S ALSO THE ECONOMIC IMPACT SIDE FOR FAILING TO EXPAND AND THE ECONOMIC IMPACT IF WE WERE TO EXPAND.

AT THE PRESS CONFERENCE TODAY THAT WE HAD THERE WERE TWO LADIES THAT SPOKE ABOUT THEIR -- THE IMPACT THAT THEY HAD BECAUSE THEY COULD NOT QUALIFY FOR MEDICAID.

THEY MADE OVER 45 HUNDRED DOLLARS A YEAR.

BUT YET THEY COULDN'T AFFORD THE PRIVATE HEALTH CARE MARKET.

AND IT WAS TRAGIC FOR THEM.

AND I APOLOGIZED TO THEM PERSONALLY AND FOR THE THE STATE THAT WE HAVEN'T ADDRESSED THIS ISSUE SINCE 20 -- WELL, IT WAS PART OF THE AFFORDABLE CARE ACT FOR 2010 BUT FOR THE LAST DECADE OR MORE WE HAVE FAILED TO ADDRESS THE ISSUE AND HAVE HAD SUCH NEGATIVE IMPACT ON OUR POPULATION.

>> IT SOUNDS LIKES THEY KIND OF PERSONIFY THE COVERAGE GAP WE HEAR ABOUT SO MUCH.

DON'T QUALIFY FOR MEDICAID, DON'T HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE THROUGH WORK AND CAN'T AFFORD THE PRIVATE MARKET.

>> THAT'S THE GAP.

SO I FIND IT ALMOST SHAMEFUL THAT IT'S TAKEN THIS STATE THIS LONG TO ADDRESS THIS ISSUE.

WE'RE ONE OF 10 STATES.

THINK ABOUT THAT -- ONE OF TEN STATES THAT HAVE NOT EXPANDED MEDICAID.

AND GROWING UP HERE IN ALABAMA AND HAVING A BUSINESS IN BIRMINGHAM, MY FAMILY IS HERE AND GRANDKIDS -- 14 GRANDKIDS -- YOU KNOW, I WANT THE STATE TO BE WHERE THEY LOVE BEING A PART OF, THAT THEY WANT TO STAY AND RAISE A FAMILY AND HAVE GOOD JOBS.

BUT I SEE US HAVING A CRISIS THAT WE'RE NOT ADDRESSING AND I HAVE NO EXPLANATION FOR IT.

I REALLY DON'T.

BECAUSE THE VARIOUS ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDIES THAT HAVE BEEN CONDUCTED BY NONPATTERN GROUPS REFLECT THAT WE HAVE LEFT BILLIONS OF DOLLARS ON THE TABLE.

WE WILL CONTINUE TO LEAVE BILLIONS OF DOLLARS OF FUNDING ON THE TABLE.

THAT IF WE EXPANDED MEDICAID WE COULD CREATE ALMOST 2 BILLION DOLLARS OF ANNUAL POSITIVE IM FACT AND CREATE CLOSE TO 20 THOUSAND JOBS ANNUALLY.

I DON'T GET IT.

I DON'T SEE WHY WE DON'T TAKE THE NEXT STEP.

SO I'M JUST HERE AS AN ADVOCATE AND I THINK OUR STATE NEEDS TO THINK ABOUT THIS.

I'M GOING TO STOP AND LET YOU ASK ME A QUESTION.

>> WELL, I HAVE SOME BUT GO AHEAD.

>> THINK ABOUT THIS.

YOUR FELL INCOME TAXES AND MY FEDERAL INCOME TAXES THAT WE PAY TO WASHINGTON ARE UTILIZED TO HELP ARKANSAS EXPAND MEDICAID.

KENTUCKY.

WHY WOULDN'T WE USE OUR FEDERAL INCOME TAXES SO THAT IT COULD COME BACK AND BENEFIT OUR STATE?

>> WELL, ARKANSAS DID HAVE AN INTERESTING MODEL FOR EXPANSION THAT A LOT OF PEOPLE HERE HAVE BEEN EXPERIMENTING WITH.

THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF PANEL DISCUSSIONS AND CONVERSATIONS WITH THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE.

WHEN I TALKED TO THE GOVERNOR'S OFFICE AND THE GOVERNOR HERSELF, THEY ALWAYS COME BACK TO COST, LONG-TERM COSTS UNDERSTANDING THAT MAYBE FOR THE NEXT EIGHT OR 10 YEARS WE WOULD BE FINE BUT LONG-TERM BECAUSE OF THAT, BECAUSE IT'S A GENERAL FUND THING.

BUT I WANTED TO GET AT THIS TOO THERE HAVE BEEN, I WOULD SAY -- I THINK IT'S FAIR TO SAY THERE HAD BEEN SOME MOMENTUM.

I MENTIONED THE ARKANSAS PLAN.

YOU HAD THE ALL HEALTH DISCUSSIONS AND ALL OF THAT.

MAYBE THAT WASN'T THE SILVER BULLET PUT THERE'S BEEN MOMENTUM AND TALKS ABOUT MEDICAID EXPANSION I WOULD SAY THE LAST COUPLE OF YEARS.

BUT NOW AFTER THIS ELECTION WITH TRUMP IN OFFICE, ESPECIALLY REPUBLICANS IN CONGRESS THEY'RE TALKING ABOUT MORE CUTS TO MEDICAID THAT MIGHT NOT MAKE THAT EXPANSION THING POSSIBLE.

SO ARE WE COMING UP ON SOME TOUGH TIMING IN TERMS OF WHAT FEDERAL MATCH DOLLARS COULD BE AVAILABLE?

>> POSSIBLY.

DON'T LET THE FUTURE SCARE US, THOUGH.

I DO BELIEVE THAT MEDICAID AND MEDICARE ARE THOSE ITEMS THAT WILL NOT BE DRASTICALLY CHANGED.

I THINK THE PENDULUM WILL SWING BACK TO TO THE MIDDLE, AS IT ALWAYS DOES ON THOSE CRITICAL ISSUES IN OUR SOCIETY.

THERE'S NO TIME LIKE THE PRESENT TO DEAL WITH OUR ISSUE.

NOTHING IS RISK FREE.

I KNOW IF WE DON'T DO ANYTHING WE WILL CONTINUE TO GET THE RESULTS THAT WE HAVE BEEN GETTING AND THAT IS PEOPLE WILL HAVE LITTLE ACCESS TO HEALTH CARE UNDER THE CRITERIA TO QUALIFY FOR MEDICAID IN THIS STATE.

AND HOSPITALS ARE BEING CLOSED IN THE RURAL COUNTIES LEFT AND RIGHT.

I'M NOT SURE I FOLLOW WHY OUR LEGISLATORS WHO REPRESENT RURAL COUNTIES AREN'T SCREAMING FOR EXPANSION SO THAT WE CAN ENSURE THAT IF THEY HAVE A CONSTITUENT WHO IS TRYING TO HAVE A BABY AND GOING TO HAVE A BABY AND THE RURAL HOSPITAL IS CLOSED, THEY'RE DRIVING 70 MILES.

YOU SAY COME ON: COME ON.

YOU'VE GOT TO KEEP PUSHING FORWARD.

IN THE BUSINESS WORLD THAT I LIVE NOTHING IS RISK FREE.

BUT YOU HAVE TO INVEST IN YOURSELF.

I WANT US AS A STATE TO INVEST IN OURSELVES.

AND WE'RE NOT DOING THAT.

AND WE ARE NOT DOING THAT.

BLOWN.

>> YOU MENTIONED LAWMAKERS.

I'M CURIOUS WHAT THE FEEDBACK HAS BEEN FROM THEM IN YOUR CONVERSATIONS, WHETHER IT'S YOUR LOCAL DELEGATION OR WHEN YOU COME DOWN HERE TO THE STATEHOUSE AND HAVE THOSE CONVERSATIONS WHAT IS THE FEEDBACK FROM THEM?

WHAT DO THEY TALK ABOUT?

>> I'VE BEEN PREACHING IT NOW FOR QUITE SOME TIME.

ON ON THE ONE END OF THE SPECTRUM THE ANSWER IS I'M NOT SURE I UNDERSTAND IT.

AND I SAY THAT'S NOT WHY WE ELECTED YOU TO COME TO MONTGOMERY.

WE ELECTED YOU DO TO COME TO MONTGOMERY, DIG INTO IT AND UNDERSTAND IT AND MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION AND THEN THERE'S THE OTHER END OF THE SPECTRUM WHERE WE CAN'T AFFORD IT AND THEY HIDE BEHIND THIS -- HOW CAN WE MEET THE MATCH.

AND I SAY TO YOU LOOK AT THE EVIDENCE.

LOOK AT THE DATA.

LOOK AT THE ECONOMIC IMPACT STUDIES.

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH.

SO I'M NOT GOING AWAY.

AT SOME POINT WE WILL BEAT THIS CHALLENGE.

WE MUST.

>> WE WILL BE FOLLOWING IT.

I DO WANT TO ASK YOU ABOUT ONE THING.

HEALTH CARE HAS BEEN -- MAYBE NOT EXPANSION OF MEDICAID BUT HEALTH CARE HAS BEEN A BIG TOPIC BETWEEN FARMS BILLS.

NOW THERE'S A BILL THAT WOULD ALLOW ALFA OR FARM BUREAUS BUT ALFA SPECIFICALLY TO GET INTO THE HEALTH PLAN INDUSTRY AND OFFER THEIR MEMBERS HEALTH PLANS.

WOULD THAT HELP AT ALL IN TERMS OF CLOSING THE COVERAGE GAP?

WHAT IS YOUR TAKE ON THAT.

>> FROM WHAT I KNOW YOUR TELL ME TERM IS ACCURATELY.

IT'S A HEALTH PLAN.

IT'S NOT HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN.

THOSE WITH PREEXISTING CONDITIONS MAY WELL, NOT BE COVERED.

I THINK IT'S A TOOL THAT WILL TRY TO SOLVE THE ISSUE BUTT DOESN'T EVEN COME CLOSE TO REALLY PUTTING FORTH AN INSURANCE PLAN THAT OUR RESIDENTS, OUR CITIZEN, NEED ON THIS ISSUE.

IT'S A STOPGAP, PA BAND-AID.

AND I'M NOT IN FAVOR OF A HEALTH PLAN THAT IS NOT REGULATED, THAT DOESN'T COVER PREEXISTING CONDITIONS.

WHY SHOULD WE GO BACK?

WHY SHOULD WE GO BACK TO THE WAY THE WORLD WAS, YOU KNOW, BEFORE PREEXISTING CONDITIONS NOW ARE MANDATED TO BE COVERED.

SO WE SHALL SEE.

>> WE SHALL.

AND I REALLY APPRECIATE YOU COMING ON THE SHOW TO GIVE YOU PERSPECTIVE AS, YOU KNOW, AS YOU SAID A BUSINESSMAN VOLUNTEERING AND ADVOCATING, YOU'RE NOT PAID TO DO THIS OR ANYTHING, THAT'S REFRESHING FOUR OUR AUDIENCE.

>> I APPRECIATE IT.

WE'RE OUT OF TIME.

HOPE TO HAVE YOU BACK.

>> THANK YOU FOR WHAT YOU DO.

IT'S A PLEASURE TO BE WITH YOU.

>> THANK YOU.

>> WE WILL BE RIGHT BACK.

>> THAT'S OUR SHOW FOR TONIGHT.

THANKS FOR WATCHING.

WE WILL BE BACK TOMORROW NIGHT AT THE SAME TIME RIGHT HERE ON ALABAMA PUBLIC TELEVISION.

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

WE WILL SEE YOU NEXT TIME.