Healthcare

signed · Nebraska · Legislature May 21, 2025

LB 641: Change provisions relating to medicaid estate recovery

Nebraska's LB 641 amends Medicaid estate recovery rules to protect certain family members' homes from being seized to repay medical assistance costs after a recipient's death. The bill specifically exempts homes from recovery if a sibling lived there continuously for one year before the recipient's institutionalization or if an adult child provided care while living in the home for two years prior to institutionalization. To qualify for these exemptions, a physician's written attestation must verify the care provided that delayed institutionalization. The changes clarify which family members retain home ownership protections and require specific documentation to avoid estate recovery claims.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts homes from Medicaid estate recovery, protecting beneficiaries' assets and supporting access to healthcare services by preventing financial hardship post-death.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

failed · Nebraska · Legislature May 19, 2025

LB 319: Change eligibility requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program

LB 319 adjusts Nebraska's eligibility rules for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) by temporarily increasing the gross income threshold to 165% of the federal poverty guidelines (from the prior level) for qualifying residents. This change, effective until October 1, 2025, aims to expand access to SNAP benefits while maintaining work incentives - ensuring participants can keep benefits while seeking higher-paying jobs. The bill also requires the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a state outreach plan (partnering with nonprofits if needed), submit annual reports to the Legislature on program effectiveness, and evaluate administrative costs. It directly affects Nebraska residents seeking SNAP benefits, particularly those with incomes just above the previous threshold.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands SNAP access, a public health program, by raising income thresholds to increase eligibility and improve food security.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✗ Voted No ✗ Opposes Healthcare

Track

signed · Nebraska · Legislature May 1, 2025

LB 414: Establish a suicide mortality review team for the Department of Veterans' Affairs

Nebraska's LB 414 establishes a suicide mortality review team within the Department of Veterans' Affairs to address veteran suicides. The team, made up of VA staff, mental health professionals, law enforcement, and veteran advocates, will collect data on all veteran suicide deaths in Nebraska, analyze causes, and develop prevention protocols for agencies like hospitals and law enforcement. It requires an annual report by April 1st starting in 2026, detailing each reviewed case (including age, location, and contributing factors) and recommendations to reduce preventable suicides. The bill directly affects veterans who died by suicide and aims to improve data-driven prevention strategies through coordinated reviews.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes suicide mortality review team to analyze veteran suicides and develop prevention protocols, directly strengthening mental health services through data-driven prevention strategies.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransBill establishes suicide mortality review team within VA to analyze veteran suicides, develop prevention protocols, and require annual reports - directly advancing veteran healthcare and suicide prevention efforts.95% confidence | Rep's Stance Voted absent

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 14, 2025

LB 326: Change provisions relating to the Unfair Insurance Trade Practices Act, the Nebraska Property and Liability Insurance Guaranty Association Act, and mutual insurance holding companies and eliminate the provisions of the Health Insurance Access Act and the Health Care Purchasing Pool Act

LB 326 amends Nebraska's insurance laws to update definitions and procedures under the Unfair Insurance Trade Practices Act and related statutes. It redefines key terms like "insurer" and "customer," changes the Director of Insurance's authority, and updates rules for claims, settlements, and annual reporting. The bill specifically eliminates the Health Insurance Access Act and Health Care Purchasing Pool Act, removing those frameworks from state law. These changes primarily affect insurance companies, consumers purchasing insurance, and the Nebraska Department of Insurance.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareEliminates Health Insurance Access Act and Health Care Purchasing Pool Act, removing key healthcare access frameworks that expanded coverage.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✗ Opposes Healthcare

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 14, 2025

LB 457: Require anaphylaxis policies for school districts and licensed child care facilities and provide a limit on the amount an insured is required to pay by an insurance policy or benefit plan for epinephrine injectors

LB 457 requires Nebraska school districts and licensed child care facilities to adopt written policies for managing anaphylaxis (severe allergic reactions) by July 1, 2026. These policies must include emergency protocols, individualized care plans for children with allergies, and strategies to reduce allergen exposure, based on model guidelines developed by the Health and Human Services Department. The bill also limits out-of-pocket insurance costs for epinephrine injectors to $50 annually for covered individuals, effective January 1, 2026. It directly affects schools, child care programs, and insured individuals needing emergency allergy treatment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires school anaphylaxis policies and caps epinephrine insurance costs at $50, improving patient access and protection for allergy management.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 10, 2025

LB 41A: Appropriation Bill

LB 41A is an appropriation bill that allocates specific state and federal funds to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services for two Medicaid-related programs (344 and 348) to support implementation of Legislative Bill 41. It provides $28,021 (state and federal combined) for Program 344 and $155,579 for Program 348 in fiscal year 2025-26, with similar amounts for 2026-27. The funds must be used exclusively for their designated program purposes and cannot cover state employee salaries. This bill directly affects the Department of Health and Human Services and the Medicaid programs it administers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state/federal funds to Medicaid programs 344 & 348, funding essential public services per appropriation bill.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $28,021 and $155,579 to Medicaid programs (344/348) for healthcare implementation, directly funding coverage services per bill summary.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports 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