Healthcare

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 553: Change provisions of the Rural Health Systems and Professional Incentive Act

Nebraska's LB 553 expands eligibility under the Rural Health Systems and Professional Incentive Act to include dietitian nutritionist students and professionals in loan programs. It adds "dietitian nutritionist program" to qualifying education pathways for student loans and includes dietitian nutritionists in the loan repayment program, with a $15,000 annual cap and $45,000 lifetime maximum for full-time practice in designated health shortage areas. The bill also requires the commission to designate shortage areas specifically for dietitian nutritionist practice and mandates that recipients agree to practice in these areas and accept Medicaid patients. This change harmonizes dietitian nutritionist provisions with existing categories like physicians and mental health practitioners. The bill was amended into LB 312 before passing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands loan programs for dietitian nutritionists in rural health shortage areas, increasing healthcare workforce access and support through funding incentives.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Mental Health

Track

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 697: Change requirements relating to compounding and delegated dispensing permits under the Pharmacy Practice Act

Nebraska's LB 697 amends pharmacy practice regulations to update compounding standards and delegated dispensing rules. It requires pharmacists to follow specific U.S. Pharmacopeia standards for compounding (effective Jan. 2023) and prohibits compounding certain drugs, like FDA-withdrawn products or copies of approved drugs during shortages. The bill also revises delegated dispensing permits for public health clinics, limiting dispensing to contraceptive refills, mandating detailed labeling requirements, and requiring a pharmacist's daily availability to answer questions. These changes directly affect pharmacists, pharmacy boards, and public health clinics operating under delegated dispensing permits.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareUpdates pharmacy compounding standards to USP guidelines and prohibits unsafe practices, enhancing patient safety. Limits delegated dispensing to contraceptive refills, improving targeted access to reproductive healthcare services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs Public Health

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 515: Provide requirements for certain prescription refills

This Nebraska bill (LB 515) amends pharmacy rules to establish clear procedures for pharmacists to provide emergency prescription refills when doctors cannot be contacted. It allows pharmacists to dispense up to a 30-day supply (or the previous refill amount, whichever is less) for non-controlled maintenance medications under specific conditions: the refill must be for ongoing treatment, the pharmacist must verify the prescription through records or a database, and the pharmacist must judge that interrupting therapy would harm the patient. The bill directly affects pharmacists and patients who need urgent access to ongoing medications like diabetes or blood pressure drugs. It does not change standard refill rules but creates a defined emergency process to prevent treatment gaps.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables pharmacists to provide emergency refills for maintenance medications when doctors are unavailable, improving patient access to necessary medications without restricting coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Prescription Drugs

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 706: Require adult protective services social workers to accompany law enforcement officers

LB 706 requires law enforcement officers to be accompanied by trained adult protective services (APS) social workers during calls involving individuals with mental health concerns or a history of mental illness. Dispatchers must screen calls for mental health issues, flag them as "Mental Health Priority," and notify nearby APS social workers to join the response. The APS social worker takes the lead in interactions, using de-escalation techniques and trauma-informed care to reduce the risk of harm. Law enforcement agencies must create written policies for this process, which the Nebraska Commission on Law Enforcement will review annually for compliance.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires APS social workers to lead mental health crisis responses, reducing police involvement and criminalization, aligning with de-escalation and trauma-informed reform in law enforcement.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates APS social workers to lead mental health crisis responses using de-escalation and trauma-informed care, improving patient access to specialized healthcare during emergencies.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

Track

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Jun 6, 2025

LB 454: Change provisions relating to regional behavioral health authorities and the Behavioral Health Services Fund

LB 454 amends Nebraska law to update rules for regional behavioral health authorities and establish the Behavioral Health Services Fund. It requires these authorities to adopt uniform fee policies based on consumer income (not exceeding service costs), mandate competitive bidding for services unless specific exemptions apply, and maintain separate budgets for behavioral health funding. The new Behavioral Health Services Fund will provide grants, loans, and reimbursements to support community-based behavioral health services statewide, including housing assistance for very low-income adults with serious mental illness. These changes directly affect regional behavioral health authorities, behavioral health providers, and consumers receiving public behavioral health services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesCreates Behavioral Health Services Fund for grants/reimbursements, directly funding behavioral health programs through dedicated budget allocation.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates Behavioral Health Services Fund for grants/reimbursements to support community mental health services, requiring income-based fees and competitive bidding for improved access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Procurement Mental Health

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

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Jun 6, 2025

LB 380: Change provisions regarding program integrity, ground emergency medical transport, and mental health and substance use disorder services under the Medical Assistance Act and provide duties for the Division of Medicaid and Long-Term Care

LB 380 updates Nebraska's Medicaid program integrity rules to improve fairness and transparency in audits. It requires program integrity contractors to provide clear written justification for audits, limit records requests to relevant documents, and send determination letters within 180 days. The bill also mandates that auditors use licensed healthcare professionals familiar with clinical standards and prohibits audits of capitated managed care claims or claims already under review. These changes directly affect Medicaid providers and contractors by standardizing audit procedures and protecting providers from improper overpayment claims.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareUpdates Medicaid audit rules for fairness/transparency, requiring clear justifications, licensed auditors, and protecting beneficiaries from improper reviews of mental health/substance use services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Substance Abuse

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Jun 2, 2025

LB 382: Provide for use of the Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Fund to reimburse designated area agencies on aging and state intent regarding appropriations

LB 382 redirects $2 million annually from Nebraska's Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Fund to reimburse the state's eight Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) for eligible activities and services defined under existing law. The bill specifically appropriates these funds for fiscal years 2025-26 and 2026-27, with an equal share distributed to each AAA. This ensures AAAs receive reimbursement for costs related to services supporting older Nebraskans, such as transportation, meals, and home care, as outlined in section 81-2222. The bill amends existing funding mechanisms to prioritize these reimbursements while maintaining current eligibility criteria.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects $2M annually from Medicaid fund to reimburse Area Agencies on Aging for senior services, funding essential programs per bill's appropriation language.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRedirects Medicaid funds to reimburse Area Agencies on Aging for healthcare services (transportation, meals, home care) supporting seniors, directly funding healthcare support programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care

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

Track

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Jun 2, 2025

LB 382A: Appropriation Bill

LB 382A appropriates $2 million from the Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Fund for each of the 2025-26 and 2026-27 fiscal years to the Department of Health and Human Services. The funds are designated for Program 571 to support the implementation of Legislative Bill 382. The bill specifies that the money must be used solely for state aid and cannot cover salaries or per diems for state employees.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates $2M from Medicaid fund for HHS program implementation, advancing state budget allocation for essential services without tax impact.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates $2M annually from Medicaid fund for healthcare program implementation, directly funding public health services per bill's purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations Medicaid