LB 843 requires Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services to apply for a federal waiver allowing refugees and immigrants to access Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits. This directly affects refugees and immigrants who are currently ineligible for SNAP under federal rules. The bill mandates the department to file this specific waiver with the U.S. Department of Agriculture to expand SNAP eligibility for these groups. It does not change existing SNAP rules but seeks federal permission to include these populations in the program. The bill focuses on administrative action by the state department, not on new funding or benefit amounts.
LB 933 protects Nebraska healthcare practitioners who recommend medical cannabis under the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Patient Protection Act. The bill shields doctors, nurses, and other licensed providers from disciplinary action - including license penalties or civil fines - when they provide a written recommendation or state in their professional opinion that a patient may benefit from cannabis for medical treatment. This applies specifically to recommendations for conditions like chronic pain or nausea, not general cannabis use. The law directly affects healthcare professionals who interact with medical cannabis patients in Nebraska.
This bill would allow Nebraska to cover supportive housing services through Medicaid by requiring the Department of Health and Human Services to seek federal approval. It establishes a "Housing First" approach - providing permanent housing without conditions (like sobriety requirements) paired with voluntary support services such as housing transition, tenancy stabilization, and care coordination. The bill creates a dedicated fund to cover both Medicaid-eligible services and non-Medicaid housing costs (e.g., short-term rental assistance). It directly affects Nebraskans experiencing or at risk of homelessness by expanding access to stable housing with integrated support.
LB 774 creates a dedicated fund within Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services to manage federal funds from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for the Rural Health Transformation Program. The fund directly supports rural Nebraska communities by providing resources to improve healthcare delivery systems, increase access to care, and enhance health outcomes. Key provisions require the Department to administer the fund using federal CMS dollars, invest unspent funds per state investment laws, and submit annual electronic reports to the Legislature detailing fund usage and results. This bill establishes a structured mechanism for utilizing federal health funding to address rural healthcare challenges.
This is a Nebraska legislative resolution (LR 293), not a bill that creates law. It urges the U.S. Congress to quickly pass federal legislation - specifically referencing H.R. 3649, the Veterans National Traumatic Injury Treatment Act - to expand veterans' access to treatments for traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The resolution highlights the need for therapies like hyperbaric oxygen treatment, physical therapy, and cognitive therapy, which are not currently standard in VA care. It directly addresses U.S. Congress members and Nebraska's congressional delegation, requesting they support such federal action.
LB 1229 creates a dedicated "Rural Health Transformation Fund" to hold federal funds from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services' Rural Health Transformation Program, authorized under federal law. The bill requires all applications for and expenditures of these federal funds to be electronically reported to the Legislature and posted publicly, including details on beneficiaries, outcomes, and metrics. It also prohibits using the fund to replace existing state rural health spending and mandates that applicants submit a sustainability plan before receiving funds. The bill strictly limits the fund's use to federal program-approved purposes only.
LB 1144 amends Nebraska's Medical Assistance Act to clarify definitions and set new requirements for health insurance companies and employer-run health plans (self-funded plans). It requires these entities to share specific coverage information with the state's medical assistance department within 30 days when requested, for verifying eligibility or coordinating benefits. The bill also mandates that insurers cannot deny claims submitted by the department if filed within three years of service, as long as enforcement begins within six years. This directly affects health insurers, self-funded employers, and the state department managing medical assistance programs.
Nebraska's LB 750 directs the Department of Health and Human Services to increase reimbursement rates for PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) program services to at least 80% of the actual cost of care provided at PACE centers. This policy change directly affects PACE providers (who deliver comprehensive medical and social services to seniors) and the elderly beneficiaries enrolled in the program. The bill amends the Health Care Facility Licensure Act to establish this 80% reimbursement benchmark as legislative intent, requiring the state agency to adjust payment rates accordingly. It does not create new funding but mandates a specific reimbursement standard for existing Medicaid-covered PACE services.
LB 816 protects the confidentiality of communications between public safety personnel and peer support team members. It makes peer support meetings and related records privileged and confidential, meaning they cannot be disclosed in court, treated as public records, or used in disciplinary proceedings. This law directly affects law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical personnel, and support staff (like dispatchers) who receive or provide peer support for critical incidents or personal issues. The only exceptions to confidentiality are with the recipient's written consent or if a person's safety is at immediate risk.
Nebraska's LB 855, the Youth Early Intervention and Support Act, creates a state-supported system for schools to identify and assist students showing early signs of distress. It requires all public school districts to form teams - including school staff, community health workers, and family advocates - to monitor specific indicators like chronic absenteeism, declining grades, behavior changes, or hygiene concerns, and connect students to support services instead of punishment. The system uses existing school and community resources to coordinate trauma-informed care, mental health referrals, and basic needs assistance while complying with federal privacy laws (FERPA/HIPAA). The bill directly affects Nebraska students in public schools and school districts, aiming to reduce juvenile justice and child welfare involvement through early, collaborative intervention.
