Healthcare (Medicaid)

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 61: Require the Department of Health and Human Services to file a medicaid waiver amendment for memory care rates

Nebraska's LB 61 requires the Department of Health and Human Services to submit a federal waiver amendment specifically adjusting reimbursement rates for memory care services under the state's Medicaid home and community-based services program. This change directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries receiving memory care (typically elderly or disabled individuals with dementia or similar conditions) and the providers offering those services. The bill mandates the department file this waiver amendment with federal authorities to secure updated funding rates for memory care, rather than creating new coverage. It does not establish new benefits or funding but modifies existing reimbursement structures for a specific service category. The requirement is procedural, focusing on adjusting payment rates through a federal waiver process.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdjusts Medicaid reimbursement rates for memory care, increasing funding for providers serving dementia patients, improving access to covered services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medicaid

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 239: Change requirements relating to developmental disabilities funding priorities and eliminate a sunset date

This bill changes how Nebraska prioritizes funding for developmental disabilities services under Medicaid home and community-based waivers. It establishes six specific funding priorities (e.g., crisis situations, individuals transitioning from institutional care, youth aging out of education) and requires the Department of Health and Human Services to apply these priorities consistently. The bill eliminates a scheduled sunset date (previously set for June 30, 2025), making these funding rules permanent. It directly affects Nebraska residents with developmental disabilities who qualify for Medicaid services, ensuring consistent access to community-based support without expiration.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareChanges Medicaid funding priorities for developmental disabilities, ensures consistent application, and eliminates sunset date, strengthening ongoing healthcare funding for vulnerable populations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 146: State intent regarding appropriations for dental services under the Medical Assistance Act

LB 146 proposes a 12.5% increase in reimbursement rates for dental services provided under Nebraska's Medical Assistance Act (Medicaid) for fiscal year 2025-26. This bill directly affects dentists and dental clinics that serve Medicaid patients by raising the state's payment for covered dental procedures. The legislation states the Legislature's intent to appropriate funds for this rate increase, which would improve payments for providers but does not expand eligibility or coverage. It declares an emergency to allow immediate implementation upon approval. The bill is currently pending before the Appropriations Committee.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill allocates 12.5% rate increase for Medicaid dental reimbursements, directly increasing state spending on public health services through appropriations.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases Medicaid dental reimbursement rates by 12.5%, directly funding provider payments under healthcare program without restricting coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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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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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

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 365: Require coverage of self-measure blood pressure monitoring services under the Medical Assistance Act

LB 365 requires Nebraska's Medicaid program (Medical Assistance Act) to cover and reimburse for home blood pressure monitoring devices when prescribed by a healthcare provider. This directly affects Medicaid beneficiaries who need regular blood pressure monitoring for conditions like hypertension. The bill amends existing coverage rules to add these services to the list of covered medical supplies, similar to how continuous glucose monitors were recently added. It mandates the Department of Health and Human Services to provide this coverage without additional cost to eligible patients.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid coverage for home blood pressure monitoring devices, improving access to hypertension management tools for beneficiaries.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 253: Provide for insurance and medicaid coverage of biomarker testing

Nebraska's LB 253 requires health insurers and Medicaid to cover biomarker testing for diagnosis, treatment, or monitoring of diseases when supported by medical evidence. This includes tests approved by the FDA, aligned with drug labels, or recommended by nationally recognized clinical guidelines. Insurers must cover these tests without unnecessary delays, approving or denying prior authorization requests within 24-72 hours, and provide clear exception processes for patients. The law applies to all health insurers and Medicaid plans in Nebraska, effective January 1, 2026, directly affecting patients needing these tests and healthcare providers ordering them.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurers and Medicaid to cover biomarker testing, expanding patient access to necessary diagnostics without unnecessary delays.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 621: State legislative intent regarding appropriations and provide for transfers from the Nebraska Health Care Cash Fund

LB 621 mandates annual transfers from Nebraska's Medicaid Intergovernmental Trust Fund and Tobacco Settlement Trust Fund into the Nebraska Health Care Cash Fund. It specifies exact transfer amounts (e.g., $61.654 million for 2025-26) and requires adjustments based on unused funds in the Health Care Cash Fund. The bill also directs funding for community health centers (e.g., $700,000 per center for expanded services like dental or behavioral health) and pancreatic cancer research at UNMC, contingent on matching private funds. These transfers and funding allocations are legally required, with the State Treasurer responsible for implementation.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates annual transfers from trust funds to Health Care Cash Fund, directing $61.654M for 2025-26 and funding community health centers/research, strengthening public health budget allocations.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates transfers to Health Care Cash Fund, funds community health centers ($700k each) and UNMC cancer research, directly expanding healthcare funding and services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Mental Health

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 701: Provide for reimbursement of doula services by the Department of Health and Human Services

Nebraska's LB 701 mandates that the Department of Health and Human Services reimburse providers for doula services by state funds starting January 1, 2027. It directly affects Medicaid recipients seeking pregnancy and birth support, as doulas provide non-clinical emotional, physical, and informational care before, during, and after childbirth. The bill requires the department to establish a diverse work group (including doulas, communities of color, rural representatives, and birth advocates) by October 2026 to set reimbursement rates and define training/certification standards. This policy aims to improve birth outcomes - reducing cesarean rates, interventions, and complications - by integrating doula support into state Medicaid coverage.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates Medicaid reimbursement for doula services, expanding coverage for pregnancy/birth support under public health programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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signed · Nebraska · Legislature Jun 6, 2025

LB 77: Adopt the Ensuring Transparency in Prior Authorization Act and provide for insurance and medicaid coverage of biomarker testing

Nebraska's LB 77 adopts the Ensuring Transparency in Prior Authorization Act, requiring health insurers and Medicaid to clearly explain prior authorization decisions and post all requirements online by 2027. The law mandates that denials must be reviewed by a physician (or clinical peer) and include specific reasons citing coverage criteria, with expedited reviews for urgent care. It also requires insurers to cover biomarker testing - tests that identify specific biological markers for diagnosis - when prescribed by a doctor. This directly affects health insurers, providers, and patients by increasing transparency in coverage decisions and expanding access to certain diagnostic tests.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurer coverage of biomarker testing and transparency in prior authorization, improving patient access to care and protecting rights.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid