Healthcare

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 722: Provide for use of the Behavioral Health Services Fund for individuals with substance use disorder

Nebraska Legislative Bill LB 722 amends the Behavioral Health Services Fund to explicitly include services for individuals with substance use disorder. The bill clarifies that funds can now be used for behavioral health services specifically for people with substance use disorder, aligning with existing provisions for serious mental illness. This change, which references the definition in Section 71-430, ensures the fund’s resources directly support treatment and housing-related assistance for this population without creating new funding. The bill affects Nebraskans seeking behavioral health services, particularly those with substance use disorder who qualify under the fund’s existing eligibility criteria.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies Behavioral Health Fund can fund substance use disorder services, expanding access to treatment and aligning with mental health provisions.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1235: Change provisions of the Nebraska Liquor Control Act and the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Regulation Act

LB 1235 updates Nebraska's medical cannabis laws by amending the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Patient Protection Act and Nebraska Medical Cannabis Regulation Act. It establishes a patient and caregiver registry, creates a directory of healthcare practitioners who can recommend cannabis, and sets licensing requirements for practitioners and cannabis businesses. The bill introduces sales tax on medical cannabis (separate from marijuana taxes), outlines commission powers for regulation and enforcement, and defines key terms like "qualified patient" and "allowable amount." These changes directly affect medical cannabis patients, their caregivers, healthcare providers, and the Nebraska Medical Cannabis Commission.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIntroduces sales tax on medical cannabis, establishing new state revenue source under fiscal management provisions.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates registry/directory for healthcare practitioners to recommend medical cannabis, improving patient access to treatment options within healthcare framework.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1212: Provide for licensure of internationally trained physicians under the Uniform Credentialing Act and change provisions of the Engineers and Architects Regulation Act

LB 1212 creates two new license types for internationally trained physicians in Nebraska who completed medical education outside the U.S. It allows a "limited license" (valid up to 6 years total) requiring supervision by a participating health care entity (like a hospital or health center) and completion of a state-approved assessment program. A "restricted license" would permit independent practice in designated health profession shortage areas after meeting the same requirements. The bill requires physicians to hold ECFMG certification, pass USMLE steps 1 and 2, maintain valid U.S. work authorization, and be employed by a participating entity during the limited license period. This directly affects internationally trained physicians seeking to practice medicine in Nebraska, particularly in underserved rural or urban areas.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates licensure pathways for internationally trained physicians to practice in healthcare shortage areas, directly expanding provider access and addressing workforce gaps in healthcare delivery.92% confidence ✓ ImmigrationSupports ImmigrationEnables internationally trained physicians (often immigrants) to practice through licensure pathways, supporting professional integration and workforce access.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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 | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 676: Change and eliminate provisions relating to certified nurse midwives and provide for applicability of the Nebraska Hospital-Medical Liability Act

Nebraska bill LB 676 changes regulations for certified nurse midwives by eliminating required "practice agreements" between midwives and collaborating physicians. It updates definitions and scope of practice provisions (amending sections 38-206, 38-601, 38-603, 38-604, 38-606, 38-607, 38-608, 38-610, 38-611, and 44-2803) and makes the Nebraska Hospital-Medical Liability Act apply to midwives. The bill removes outdated sections (38-609, 38-613, and 38-614) while keeping midwives' core services - like prenatal care, childbirth support, and gynecological care - unchanged. This affects certified nurse midwives, their collaborative relationships with physicians, and their medical liability coverage under state law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves required physician collaboration for midwives, expanding their scope of practice and improving access to care without reducing services.92% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 322: Prohibit assault on a pharmacist and clarify provisions relating to assault on officers, emergency responders, certain employees, and health care professionals

LB 322 increases penalties for assaulting specific professionals while they are working. It makes assault on pharmacists, healthcare workers (including hospital/clinic staff), and emergency responders a higher felony classification when committed during their duties at pharmacies, hospitals, or clinics. The bill defines "pharmacist" as a state-licensed pharmacy practitioner and "health care professional" to include all employees at healthcare facilities. This amendment enhances existing assault penalties for these targeted groups without creating new prohibitions. The bill is currently postponed indefinitely in Nebraska's legislative process.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill increases penalties for assaulting pharmacists and healthcare workers, strengthening legal protections under criminal justice.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill protects healthcare professionals (pharmacists, hospital staff) from assault by increasing penalties, directly supporting safety of medical professionals per topic definition.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 10, 2026

LR 293: Urge the United States Congress to swiftly enact legislation to provide for veterans' access to treatments for traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder

This is a Nebraska legislative resolution (LR 293), not a bill that creates law. It urges the U.S. Congress to quickly pass federal legislation - specifically referencing H.R. 3649, the Veterans National Traumatic Injury Treatment Act - to expand veterans' access to treatments for traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The resolution highlights the need for therapies like hyperbaric oxygen treatment, physical therapy, and cognitive therapy, which are not currently standard in VA care. It directly addresses U.S. Congress members and Nebraska's congressional delegation, requesting they support such federal action.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareUrges federal expansion of veterans' access to TBI/PTSD treatments (hyperbaric oxygen, cognitive therapy), directly advancing patient access to healthcare services.95% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransUrges federal action to expand veterans' access to TBI/PTSD treatments, directly advancing healthcare access for veterans as per resolution content.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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signed · Nebraska · Legislature Mar 3, 2026

LB 110: Provide requirements for intimate examinations of certain body parts

LB 110 requires health care providers to obtain written consent before performing a pelvic exam on a patient who is unconscious or under anesthesia in a hospital or clinic, unless it's an emergency, authorized by a decision-maker, or court-ordered. It directly affects patients unable to consent and health care providers who must follow these rules. The bill mandates written notification to patients before discharge if such an exam was performed, and violations could lead to disciplinary action under Nebraska's credentialing laws. This legislation aims to protect patient autonomy during medical procedures requiring unconsciousness.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires written consent for non-emergency pelvic exams on incapacitated patients, protecting patient autonomy and rights in healthcare settings.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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 | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

died · Nebraska · Legislature Jan 26, 2026

LB 774: Create the Rural Health Transformation Program Fund to be administered by the Department of Health and Human Services

LB 774 creates a dedicated fund within Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services to manage federal funds from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) for the Rural Health Transformation Program. The fund directly supports rural Nebraska communities by providing resources to improve healthcare delivery systems, increase access to care, and enhance health outcomes. Key provisions require the Department to administer the fund using federal CMS dollars, invest unspent funds per state investment laws, and submit annual electronic reports to the Legislature detailing fund usage and results. This bill establishes a structured mechanism for utilizing federal health funding to address rural healthcare challenges.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates dedicated fund using CMS federal dollars to improve rural healthcare access, delivery systems, and outcomes, directly advancing healthcare services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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