Require the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct a cost study of behavioral health care rates

Nebraska's LB 724 requires the Department of Health and Human Services to conduct a cost study comparing the actual expenses of providing behavioral health services to current payment rates in both the regional behavioral health system and the medical assistance program. The study must be completed by September 1, 2026, with a final report submitted to the Legislature by December 1, 2026. This bill directly affects the Department of Health and Human Services, mandating a specific data-gathering process to analyze cost structures. It does not change existing rates or funding but provides a factual basis for future policy decisions. The bill focuses solely on collecting comparative cost data, without prescribing any specific outcomes.