Require insurance coverage for rescue and maintenance asthma inhalers

LB 971 requires most health insurance plans in Nebraska to cover prescribed asthma inhalers without cost-sharing. It directly affects people with asthma who have health insurance, mandating coverage for one rescue inhaler and one maintenance inhaler per year when prescribed by a doctor. The bill prohibits deductibles, copays, or coinsurance for these specific inhalers, though high-deductible plans may still apply annual deductibles if needed to maintain health savings account eligibility. This policy change ensures immediate access to essential asthma medications without out-of-pocket costs for covered individuals.