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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
