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.
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.
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.
LB 27 amends Nebraska's Rural Health Systems and Professional Incentive Act to update loan repayment programs for healthcare professionals working in rural shortage areas. It specifically adds a dental loan repayment program for dentists providing Medicaid services, with up to $60,000 annually (capping at $300,000 total), while adjusting caps for other providers (e.g., $90,000 max for physicians). The bill clarifies eligibility requirements, including licensing, practice location in designated shortage areas, and excludes current residency program participants. These changes harmonize existing provisions and specify how Medicaid excess profit funds may support these programs.
Nebraska's LB 308, the Health Care Staffing Agency Registration Act, requires health care staffing agencies (including technology platforms that match workers with facilities) to register annually with the Department of Labor for $1,500. The bill prohibits agencies from enforcing noncompete clauses that restrict temporary staff workers' employment options and mandates that agencies verify staff workers' qualifications, maintain professional liability insurance ($1 million per incident), and document compliance. Agencies must also submit quarterly reports to the state detailing average charges to health care facilities and payments to staff by licensing category. This bill directly affects staffing agencies and health care facilities that contract with them, establishing new registration, transparency, and insurance requirements.
Nebraska's LB 138 changes how pharmacies are paid for dispensing prescriptions under Medicaid. Starting July 1, 2026, independent pharmacies (owning six or fewer locations) and pharmacies as the only option within 30 miles will receive $10.38 per prescription. Other pharmacies will receive tiered fees based on annual prescription volume: $10.38 for under 30,000 prescriptions, $9.51 for 30,000-70,000, and $8.30 for 70,000+ prescriptions. The bill requires the state to conduct cost surveys every two years and adjust fees annually to ensure fair reimbursement for all participating pharmacies.
Nebraska bill LB 369 changes the age at which certain health decisions can be made without parental consent. It allows individuals aged 18 or older to make their own medical and mental health care decisions, removing the need for parental or guardian approval. The bill also specifically permits youth under 19 who are committed to the Department of Correctional Services to consent to their own medical and mental health care during their incarceration, without parental consent (except as required by other law). This amendment modifies Section 43-2101 of Nebraska law to update these consent provisions.
Nebraska's LB 467 requires health insurance companies and review organizations to create a digital connection (API) for prior authorization requests by January 1, 2028, under the state's Utilization Review Act. This applies to most healthcare services except drug coverage requests, which are excluded per the bill's definition. The law harmonizes with existing federal rules (45 C.F.R. 156.223) as they existed in 2025. The bill directly affects insurers and review entities operating in Nebraska, streamlining how they process authorization requests electronically.
LB 174 reduces the maximum amount of wages that can be garnished for medical debt from 15% to 10% of an individual's disposable earnings (after taxes and mandatory deductions). It directly affects Nebraska residents with medical debt being collected by medical debt buyers (entities that purchase and collect unpaid medical bills) and medical creditors (hospitals or providers). The bill establishes a new 10% cap for most cases, with a higher 20% limit possible only if the person is not a head of household (verified through a sworn affidavit). It also defines key terms like "medical debt," "medical debt buyer," and "head of household" to clarify eligibility for protections. This change aims to limit wage garnishment specifically for medical debt while maintaining existing rules for other debts like child support or taxes.
Nebraska's LB 570 creates a scholarship program for nursing students, providing $2,500 per semester to eligible students enrolled in approved nursing programs. To qualify, students must reside in Nebraska, enroll in an approved associate, diploma, certificate, or accelerated bachelor's nursing program, and agree to work as a nurse in Nebraska for two years after graduation. The bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to administer the program, with the Legislature intending to appropriate $5 million for fiscal year 2025-26. This policy directly affects nursing students in Nebraska seeking financial support in exchange for a commitment to work in the state's healthcare sector.
