Healthcare

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 10, 2025

LB 41: Change provisions relating to blood tests for pregnant women

This Nebraska bill updates requirements for blood tests during pregnancy. It mandates that healthcare providers offer voluntary syphilis tests at the first prenatal visit, third trimester, and delivery, and voluntary HIV tests during pregnancy (with written refusal allowed). Providers must clearly inform patients about these tests and their right to decline. The bill also ensures Medicaid-covered individuals will have syphilis test costs covered by Medicaid funds, and test results must be reported to health officials without appearing on birth certificates.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates voluntary prenatal syphilis/HIV testing with Medicaid coverage, ensuring patient access and rights to decline tests.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 10, 2025

LB 22A: Appropriation Bill

LB 22A is an appropriation bill that allocates specific funds to support Legislative Bill 22. It provides $380,628 from the Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Fund and $694,972 in federal funds for fiscal year 2025-26, and $774,002 plus $1,377,198 for 2026-27, all to the Department of Health and Human Services' Program 348. These funds are designated exclusively to carry out the provisions of LB 22, with no use permitted for state employee salaries or per diems. The bill directly affects the state's Medicaid program administration by providing targeted financial resources for its implementation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $2.1M+ in state/federal funds exclusively for Medicaid program (Program 348), directly funding essential health services as required by LB 22.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $3.2M+ in federal/state funds to Health and Human Services for healthcare program (Program 348), directly supporting LB 22's provisions.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 10, 2025

LB 168: Adopt the 340B Contract Pharmacy Protection Act

Nebraska's LB 168 (signed April 9, 2025) adopts the 340B Contract Pharmacy Protection Act to protect access to federally discounted drugs. It prohibits drug manufacturers from restricting 340B drug deliveries to authorized locations (like contract pharmacies) or demanding extra data (such as patient records) beyond federal requirements. The law directly affects safety-net hospitals, clinics, and other 340B entities that rely on discounted drugs, as well as drug manufacturers and distributors. It ensures these providers can continue using 340B discounts without unnecessary barriers imposed by manufacturers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects access to federally discounted drugs for safety-net providers, strengthening healthcare access under 340B program by prohibiting restrictions on contract pharmacies.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 8, 2025

LB 527A: Appropriation Bill

LB 527A is an appropriation bill that allocates specific state and federal funds to two health programs (344 and 348) under Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services to support implementation of Legislative Bill 527. It provides $18.05 million for Program 344 and $162.40 million for Program 348 in fiscal year 2025-26, with increased amounts for 2026-27, sourced from the Medicaid Access and Quality Fund and federal Medicaid funds. The bill restricts these funds to the purposes of Legislative Bill 527 and prohibits their use for state employee salaries. Approved by the governor on April 7, 2025, it takes immediate effect due to an emergency declaration.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $18.05M and $162.40M for health programs, directly funding essential state services under budgetary authority per appropriation bill structure.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $18.05M and $162.40M to health programs (344/348) under DHHS for LB 527 implementation, increasing funding for FY2025-26.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 8, 2025

LB 527: Adopt the Medicaid Access and Quality Act and change provisions relating to taxes on health maintenance organizations, prepaid limited health service organizations, and insurance companies

LB 527 creates a Medicaid Access and Quality Fund by imposing a 6% tax on certain health insurance premiums starting January 2026. The fund will increase payments to nonhospital Medicaid providers (like clinics and doctors) to improve access to care, especially for rural patients, pregnant women, and children. It also allocates $75 monthly per patient to primary care providers who serve as medical homes for Medicaid beneficiaries. This directly affects Nebraska Medicaid beneficiaries, healthcare providers, and insurance companies paying the tax.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes 6% tax on insurers to fund Medicaid provider payments and rural care access, directly increasing state budget allocation for healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates Medicaid Access Fund via 6% tax on insurers to boost provider payments, improving access for rural/pregnant/child patients. Directly funds and strengthens Medicaid coverage.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 8, 2025

LB 195: Provide immunity for administration of naloxone, nalmefene, or other federally approved opioid overdose reversal medications

This bill, LB 195, grants legal immunity to individuals who administer opioid overdose reversal medications (like naloxone or nalmefene) in good faith during an overdose emergency. It directly protects health professionals (doctors, nurses, pharmacists), family members, friends, school staff, emergency responders, and police officers who obtain and use these medications appropriately. Key provisions shield them from criminal prosecution, administrative action, or civil liability when acting reasonably to assist someone experiencing or likely to experience an opioid overdose. The law specifically covers medications approved by the FDA for reversing overdoses, whether obtained via prescription, from a health professional, or over the counter.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill removes legal barriers for administering life-saving opioid overdose reversal meds, directly expanding access to emergency healthcare services and protecting public health initiatives.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Mar 12, 2025

LB 42: Provide for employment of nurse aides in intellectual and developmental disability facilities

This bill establishes minimum training requirements for nurse aides working in Nebraska's intellectual and developmental disability facilities. It mandates a 20-hour training program (including 15 hours of personal care training) for these facilities, compared to 75 hours for other nursing homes. Nurse aides must also meet English proficiency standards and pass background checks. The law replaces prior requirements and creates a registry with mandatory abuse reporting training as part of the curriculum.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates training and safety standards for nurse aides in disability facilities, enhancing patient safety and care quality in healthcare settings.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Mar 12, 2025

LB 10: Change requirements relating to wholesale drug distributors and dispensing of certain prescription drugs

This bill modifies Nebraska's requirements for wholesale drug distributors and emergency drug distribution. It exempts distributors participating in the Prescription Drug Donation Program from needing electronic pedigrees (tracking documents) for prescription drugs. The bill also allows the state health department to receive and dispense donated prescription drugs through licensed personnel during a declared state of emergency. These changes directly affect wholesale drug distributors and emergency response operations. The bill repeals the original section it amends and takes effect immediately upon approval.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts drug distributors from electronic pedigree requirements for donated drugs, enabling faster emergency access to medications through state health department dispensing.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Feb 26, 2025

LB 209: Change provisions relating to homestead exemptions for certain veterans and a property tax exemption for certain facilities

Nebraska's LB 209 expands property tax exemptions for veterans and their surviving spouses by modifying homestead exemption rules. It also creates a new property tax break for for-profit skilled nursing, nursing, and assisted-living facilities that serve Medicaid beneficiaries. The tax exemption amount for these facilities equals the average percentage of occupied Medicaid beds over the previous three years. This change specifically applies to for-profit facilities - nonprofit facilities serving Medicaid already have separate, full exemptions under current law.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExpands property tax exemptions for veterans and Medicaid-serving facilities, providing targeted tax relief. Aligns with support indicators for tax relief to specific groups.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides property tax exemption to for-profit facilities serving Medicaid beneficiaries, indirectly supporting healthcare access by reducing operational costs for providers serving Medicaid patients.85% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill explicitly expands property tax exemptions for veterans and surviving spouses, directly advancing veterans' benefits per topic indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

died · Nebraska · Legislature Feb 7, 2025

LB 574: Provide rights for firefighters

LB 574, introduced in Nebraska in 2025, would have established specific rights for certified firefighters and emergency personnel, including paramedics and EMTs. The bill required formal investigations into complaints against firefighters to follow strict procedures: providing written summaries before interviews, recording all interviews, allowing legal or union representation, and maintaining confidentiality of all records. It also guaranteed firefighters access to mental health services, safe working conditions, and the right to challenge disciplinary actions through grievance processes. The bill further prohibited mandatory polygraph exams and protected firefighters' personal information, while allowing off-duty political activity and access to personnel records. (Note: The bill was withdrawn on February 7, 2025, and did not become law.)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareGuarantees mental health services access for firefighters, directly supporting mental health care provision per bill summary.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes specific rights for firefighters including procedural protections in investigations and mental health access, directly strengthening workers' rights and workplace safety protections.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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