Healthcare

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 283: Require the Department of Health and Human Services to implement express lane eligibility

LB 283 requires Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services to implement "express lane eligibility" for Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollment by using existing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) data. This means eligible children who already receive SNAP benefits will be automatically enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP without needing separate applications, covering initial applications, renewals, and automatic updates. The bill directs the state to submit federal plan amendments by October 2025, with implementation starting January 1, 2026. It specifically affects children in SNAP households who qualify for medical assistance programs. The policy change streamlines enrollment by leveraging existing federal data sharing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAutomates Medicaid/CHIP enrollment for SNAP-eligible children, expanding coverage access without separate applications or renewals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Medicaid

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 318: Require the Department of Health and Human Services to file a state plan amendment under the Medical Assistance Act for incarcerated youth

LB 318 requires Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services to file a federal Medicaid state plan amendment to extend existing medical assistance coverage to incarcerated youth. The bill mandates this amendment to ensure youth in state custody receive the same Medicaid benefits - such as hospital care, mental health services, and prescription drugs - as other eligible residents under the Medical Assistance Act. This policy change directly affects youth held in Nebraska's correctional facilities, making their healthcare coverage consistent with state Medicaid rules. The amendment must be submitted to federal authorities for approval, aligning Nebraska's program with federal Medicaid requirements for this population.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExtends Medicaid coverage to incarcerated youth for healthcare and mental health services, promoting rehabilitation and improving conditions in correctional facilities per criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends Medicaid coverage to incarcerated youth, ensuring access to hospital care, mental health services, and prescriptions under existing Medical Assistance Act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 96: Require the Department of Health and Human Services to file certain 1115 waivers

Nebraska's LB 96 requires the Department of Health and Human Services to submit federal waiver applications for two specific programs. First, it mandates a waiver to reimburse two designated medical respite facilities (one in a large city, one in a smaller city) for services to homeless adults in the Medicaid expansion population. Second, it requires a waiver to extend postpartum Medicaid coverage from 60 days to at least 6 months for beneficiaries. The bill also requires annual reports to the legislature on program usage, costs, and healthcare savings. This bill directly affects homeless adults in Medicaid expansion and postpartum patients by enabling federal approval for these expanded services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends postpartum Medicaid coverage to 6 months and funds respite facilities for homeless Medicaid recipients, expanding access and coverage for vulnerable populations.95% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingFunds medical respite for homeless adults via Medicaid waivers, addressing homelessness (a housing issue) through healthcare access.75% confidence

Sub-Topics Homelessness

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 153: Require the Department of Health and Human Services to file a state plan amendment for postpartum coverage

LB 153 requires Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services to submit a state plan amendment to the federal government seeking approval to extend Medicaid postpartum coverage from 60 days to at least six months for eligible new mothers. This change would directly affect Medicaid-covered postpartum individuals, ensuring continued health insurance coverage during the critical postpartum period. The bill specifies that funding for this extension would come from the Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Fund, as outlined in Section 68-996. The amendment seeks federal matching funds to support this expanded coverage period under the Children's Health Insurance Program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends Medicaid postpartum coverage from 60 days to 6 months, expanding health insurance access for new mothers during critical period.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 67: Adopt the Sexual Assault Emergency Care Act

LB 67 requires hospitals in Nebraska to provide sexual assault survivors with clear, accurate information about emergency contraception in their preferred language, including offering a full course unless declined. It mandates hospital staff training on providing objective information and ensures survivors can access emergency contraception as part of standard care following an assault. The bill also establishes a confidential complaint process with the Department of Health and Human Services for hospitals failing to comply, while protecting individuals who report violations from liability.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates hospitals to provide emergency contraception access as standard care, improving patient access to reproductive healthcare services for survivors.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Women's Health

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 189: Adopt the Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Act

LB 189 would establish Nebraska's Paid Family and Medical Leave Insurance Act, creating a state-administered program providing wage replacement for eligible workers. It directly affects employees of participating employers and self-employed individuals who opt into the program, covering leave for reasons like newborn care, serious health conditions, and military family needs (e.g., caring for a service member on active duty). Key provisions include calculating benefits based on the worker's average weekly wage during a defined base period, with specific coverage for military-related exigencies like deployment preparation or reintegration events. The bill requires employers to participate or allow self-employed individuals to opt in, with benefits funded through employee and employer contributions to a new state-administered fund.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides paid leave for serious health conditions, improving access to healthcare services by allowing time off without income loss for medical needs.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill establishes state-administered paid family/medical leave, expanding worker benefits and protecting rights during health/family needs without restrictions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Paid Leave

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 66: Adopt the Uniform Health-Care Decisions Act

LB 66 proposes adopting Nebraska's version of the Uniform Health-Care Decisions Act. This bill would establish a standardized legal framework for advance healthcare planning, allowing adults to appoint agents to make medical decisions if they become unable to do so themselves (via "advance directives" or "power of attorney for health care"). It defines key terms like "agent," "default surrogate" (e.g., family members), and "cohabitant," clarifying who can make decisions and under what circumstances. The act directly affects Nebraskans planning ahead for healthcare, their families, and healthcare providers who must follow these procedures. (Note: The bill is currently pending before the Judiciary Committee as of January 2025.)

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes legal framework for advance healthcare directives, protecting patient autonomy and decision-making rights in medical situations.90% confidence

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 351: Change requirements for priority of admission to state hospitals for the mentally ill

LB 351 changes the priority order for admitting patients to Nebraska's state hospitals for the mentally ill. It establishes five priority categories: (1) patients needed for public safety, (2) defendants in jail deemed incompetent, (3) patients committed under mental health laws, (4) those most likely to benefit from treatment, and (5) indigent patients when other categories are equal. The bill also requires state hospitals to allocate specific bed percentages to each category (e.g., 30% for committed patients) and reserve 30% of beds for flexible allocation to reduce waitlists. Additionally, it mandates weekly public reporting on facility capacity and wait times by the Department of Health and Human Services. This bill directly affects patients seeking mental health hospitalization and state facilities managing admissions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill reorganizes mental health admission priorities to improve patient access and treatment allocation, directly supporting mental health services through structured bed distribution for high-need groups.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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signed · Nebraska · Legislature Feb 18, 2026

LB 437: Change provisions relating to the Nebraska Health Care Certificate of Need Act

LB 437 would repeal Nebraska's Health Care Certificate of Need (CON) Act, removing a requirement that hospitals and healthcare facilities must obtain state approval before expanding services, building new facilities, or making major capital investments. This change directly affects hospitals, healthcare providers, and potentially patients by eliminating a state review process for facility expansions and capital projects. The bill repeals all provisions of the CON Act (sections 71-5801 through 71-5870) and modifies related sections in the Nonprofit Hospital Sale Act to remove overlapping approval requirements. It does not create new regulations but eliminates existing state oversight for healthcare facility expansions. The bill aims to reduce regulatory barriers for healthcare providers in Nebraska.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRepealing CON Act removes regulatory barriers for healthcare expansions, potentially improving patient access and competition by eliminating state approval requirements for facility projects.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 8, 2025

LB 527: Adopt the Medicaid Access and Quality Act and change provisions relating to taxes on health maintenance organizations, prepaid limited health service organizations, and insurance companies

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.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesImposes 6% tax on insurers to fund Medicaid provider payments and rural care access, directly increasing state budget allocation for healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates Medicaid Access Fund via 6% tax on insurers to boost provider payments, improving access for rural/pregnant/child patients. Directly funds and strengthens Medicaid coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Primary Care