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

Sub-Topics Appropriations Medicaid

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

Sub-Topics Appropriations Medicaid

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 676: Change and eliminate provisions relating to certified nurse midwives and provide for applicability of the Nebraska Hospital-Medical Liability Act

Nebraska bill LB 676 changes regulations for certified nurse midwives by eliminating required "practice agreements" between midwives and collaborating physicians. It updates definitions and scope of practice provisions (amending sections 38-206, 38-601, 38-603, 38-604, 38-606, 38-607, 38-608, 38-610, 38-611, and 44-2803) and makes the Nebraska Hospital-Medical Liability Act apply to midwives. The bill removes outdated sections (38-609, 38-613, and 38-614) while keeping midwives' core services - like prenatal care, childbirth support, and gynecological care - unchanged. This affects certified nurse midwives, their collaborative relationships with physicians, and their medical liability coverage under state law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves required physician collaboration for midwives, expanding their scope of practice and improving access to care without reducing services.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Hospitals Medical Licensing

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Jun 6, 2025

LB 119: Provide requirements for the Rural Health Opportunity Program and provide tuition waivers

LB 119 establishes the Rural Health Opportunity Program to encourage Nebraska students from rural areas to pursue healthcare careers. It requires the University of Nebraska and Nebraska State Colleges to create a joint agreement for selecting eligible students and provides a 100% tuition and fee waiver for up to four years at state colleges while completing coursework needed to transfer to the University of Nebraska Medical Center. To qualify, students must be Nebraska high school graduates or equivalent residents of designated rural areas. The bill states legislative intent to fund the program annually but was indefinitely postponed on May 30, 2025.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationProvides 100% tuition waiver for rural students pursuing healthcare careers at state colleges, expanding higher education access and funding.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill provides tuition waivers for rural students pursuing healthcare careers, expanding workforce pipeline and supporting healthcare access through education funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education K-12 Education

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signed · Nebraska · Legislature Jun 6, 2025

LB 22: Require the Department of Health and Human Services to file a state plan amendment for evidence-based nurse home-visitation services

LB 22 requires Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services to adopt evidence-based nurse home-visitation programs for families with children under five or pregnant individuals. These programs must be delivered by nurses or trained professionals and focus on improving maternal/child health, parenting skills, and school readiness. The bill mandates that only programs meeting strict evidence-based standards - like national certification and culturally competent staff - receive state funding, and requires the department to report annually on program locations, outcomes, and funding use. It specifically excludes one-time visits and ensures families can decline services at any time. The law also directs the department to file a state plan amendment with federal authorities to secure Medicaid coverage for these services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates state funding for evidence-based maternal/child health home-visitation programs, expanding preventive care access and improving public health outcomes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Healthcare Workforce

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 386: Adopt the Regional Mental Health Expansion Pilot Program Act, provide for videoconferencing of hearings under the Nebraska Mental Health Commitment Act and the Sex Offender Commitment Act, provide for detention of certain persons at mental health beds in jails, and change provisions relating to hearings and rights of confrontation

LB 386 creates a pilot program to expand mental health services for individuals in crisis who are temporarily detained by law enforcement. It allows counties to add mental health beds in jails and encourages regional cooperation between law enforcement agencies, with the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement administering the program. Key provisions include permitting videoconferencing for mental health hearings and evaluations under existing commitment acts, and defining terms like "videoconferencing" to streamline processes. The bill specifically states it does not criminalize mental health issues and aims to reduce burdens on rural law enforcement and improve access to care.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands mental health services for crisis detainees in jails, reducing reliance on traditional detention and promoting reform through regional cooperation and videoconferencing hearings.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands mental health services via pilot program for crisis detainees, allows jail mental health beds, and enables video hearings - directly advancing mental health care access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 57: State intent regarding appropriations for medicaid assisted-living facilities

This bill sets specific funding amounts to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for assisted-living facilities in Nebraska. It directs $7,926,576 (FY2025-26) and $8,243,639 (FY2026-27) to the Department of Health and Human Services to raise daily rates for these facilities under Nebraska's Medicaid waiver program. The funds will increase the daily rate to $88.24 for 2025-26 and $91.78 for 2026-27, applying equally to both rural and urban facilities participating in the program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates specific funds to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for assisted-living facilities, directly strengthening healthcare funding and access under Medicaid waiver program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 322: Prohibit assault on a pharmacist and clarify provisions relating to assault on officers, emergency responders, certain employees, and health care professionals

LB 322 increases penalties for assaulting specific professionals while they are working. It makes assault on pharmacists, healthcare workers (including hospital/clinic staff), and emergency responders a higher felony classification when committed during their duties at pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics. The bill defines "pharmacist" as a state-licensed pharmacy practitioner and "health care professional" to include all employees at healthcare facilities. This amendment enhances existing assault penalties for these targeted groups without creating new prohibitions. The bill is currently postponed indefinitely in Nebraska's legislative process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for assaulting pharmacists and healthcare workers, strengthening legal protections under criminal justice.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects healthcare professionals (pharmacists, hospital staff) from assault by increasing penalties, directly supporting safety of medical professionals per topic definition.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime Hospitals Prescription Drugs Primary Care

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 381: Change requirements relating to program integrity audits under the Medical Assistance Act

LB 381 amends Nebraska's Medical Assistance Act to update rules for program integrity audits conducted by contractors. It requires contractors to provide clear written justification for starting audits, limit review periods to one year (except for fraud), send detailed audit results within 180 days, and notify providers of overpayment determinations with specific details like beneficiary names and claim numbers. The bill also mandates that audits be conducted by healthcare professionals in relevant specialties, requires advance notice for onsite audits (at least 10 business days), and prohibits recovery of payments for services with prior authorization. These changes directly affect medical providers and program integrity contractors by standardizing audit procedures and improving transparency in billing disputes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates transparency in audits (justification, timelines, details), protecting providers from arbitrary overpayments and strengthening program integrity under Medical Assistance Act.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Jun 6, 2025

LB 630: Provide and change scope of practice requirements under the Occupational Therapy Practice Act

LB 630 amends Nebraska's Occupational Therapy Practice Act to clarify and update scope-of-practice rules for occupational therapists and assistants. It redefines key terms like "electrotherapeutic agent modalities" (Sec. 38-2507) and "physical agent modalities" (Sec. 38-2513), specifies permitted treatments (e.g., heat/cold therapy, electrical stimulation), and refines temporary license rules (Sec. 38-2517). The bill directly affects licensed therapists, assistants, students in training, and healthcare workers in related fields who may perform overlapping tasks under defined conditions. These changes aim to modernize practice standards while maintaining clear boundaries for who can provide specific treatments.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies scope for occupational therapists, enabling expanded permitted treatments (e.g., electrical stimulation) and improving access to therapy services per updated practice rules.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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