Healthcare (Medical Licensing)

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 912A: Appropriation Bill

This bill allocates state funds to the Department of Health and Human Services to support the implementation of Legislative Bill 912, which was passed in the 2026 legislative session. The appropriation includes $187,151 from the General Fund and $40,000 from the Professional and Occupational Credentialing Cash Fund for the 2026-27 fiscal year, plus an additional $338,010 from the General Fund for 2027-28. These funds are designated for permanent and temporary employee salaries and per diems, with spending limits set at $115,740 for the first year and $162,035 for the second year. The legislation declares an emergency to allow immediate implementation upon approval.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill explicitly allocates state funds to support Department of Health and Human Services programs, increasing government spending for essential services.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates state funds to Department of Health and Human Services for employee salaries and per diems, directly supporting healthcare operations and services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Appropriations State Budget Medical Licensing

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 955: Provide for practice agreements between pharmacists and physician assistants

LB 955 allows pharmacists in Nebraska to form written practice agreements with physician assistants (PAs) who work under collaborative agreements with physicians. These agreements enable PAs to coordinate with pharmacists to provide pharmaceutical care under specific written protocols for monitored or initiated therapies. The bill requires pharmacists to notify both the Pharmacy Board and the PA's licensing board about agreements, include signed protocols, and review agreements every two years. This change directly affects pharmacists, PAs, and their supervising physicians by creating a formalized process for collaborative patient care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables pharmacists and PAs to coordinate pharmaceutical care under protocols, improving patient access to medication management and collaborative healthcare services.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Prescription Drugs

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

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medical Licensing Work Authorization

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 825: Require training on domestic abuse for mental health practitioners under the Uniform Credentialing Act

LB 825 requires licensed mental health practitioners in Nebraska to complete at least two hours of domestic abuse training every two years. It also mandates that individuals seeking provisional mental health licenses must complete three hours of specific domestic abuse training covering screening tools, risk indicators, trauma-informed care, and referrals. The training must be provided by qualified instructors with relevant experience and additional certification. This applies to all licensed practitioners and provisional license holders under the Mental Health Practice Act, effective January 1, 2027. The bill defines domestic abuse using Nebraska's existing legal definition from section 42-903.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates domestic abuse training for mental health practitioners, enhancing trauma-informed care and patient safety within mental health services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Mental Health

Track

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 912: Adopt the Community Health Worker Training Endorsement Act, the Athletic Trainer Compact, and the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, change provisions relating to child care licensing and the practice of athletic training, respiratory care, massage therapy, medical radiography, nurse practitioners, pharmacy, and pharmacists, provide for liens for physical therapy services and automated pickup kiosks for certain prescription medication, and eliminate provisions relating to physician liability for physician assistants

LB 912, the Community Health Worker Training Endorsement Act, establishes a state system to recognize community health worker (CHW) training programs that meet minimum quality standards. It directly affects CHW training programs and the workers they prepare, enabling these programs to qualify for reimbursement by Medicaid and private insurers. The bill requires the Department of Health and Human Services to develop rules by December 2026 defining core competencies, application processes, fees, and oversight for program endorsement. Crucially, it clarifies that this endorsement does not create licensure or certification for CHWs, nor does it expand the scope of practice for licensed health professionals. The key change is creating a standardized pathway for CHW services to be covered by insurance, improving access to community-based health support.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables Medicaid/private insurer reimbursement for CHW training programs, expanding coverage and funding for community health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medicaid Medical Licensing

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 796: Change provisions relating to the practice of pharmacy

This bill amends Nebraska's Pharmacy Practice Act (section 38-2850) to clarify and update exemptions from pharmacy licensing requirements. It specifically adds 11 detailed exemptions, including allowing nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and certified nurse midwives to dispense certain medications without a pharmacy license under defined conditions (e.g., for samples provided by manufacturers at no charge). The bill also clarifies that veterinarians, optometrists, hospital nurses, and medical gas providers may operate within their existing scopes without pharmacy licensure. These changes directly affect healthcare providers, pharmacies, and patients by defining who may legally dispense medications under specific circumstances. The amendment replaces the previous section, streamlining the legal framework for pharmacy practice.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows nurse practitioners and other providers to dispense medications without pharmacy license, improving patient access to medications under defined conditions95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Hospitals Medical Licensing

Track

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 735: Adopt the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact

LB 735 adopts the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact, allowing Nebraska-licensed respiratory therapists to practice in other participating states without obtaining a new license. The bill requires criminal background checks for initial licensure and aligns Nebraska's respiratory therapy regulations with the compact's standards. This policy directly affects respiratory therapists seeking to work across state lines, particularly benefiting military families relocating between states and addressing workforce shortages. The compact aims to improve public access to respiratory therapy services by reducing administrative barriers for therapists and states.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves licensing barriers for respiratory therapists, enabling cross-state practice and improving access to respiratory care services, directly supporting healthcare provider mobility and patient access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

Track

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 936: Provide for the use of fluoroscopy by medical radiographers in collaboration with nurse practitioners under the Uniform Credentialing Act

LB 936 amends Nebraska law to allow nurse practitioners (NPs) to use fluoroscopy for procedural guidance and authorized duties after completing approved training, and clarifies that medical radiographers may collaborate with NPs in fluoroscopy procedures. The bill directly affects NPs, medical radiographers, and patients receiving imaging services in clinical settings. Key provisions require NPs to complete joint department/board-approved education before using fluoroscopy and specify that radiographers must work under NP direction or collaboration during these procedures. It repeals prior restrictions that limited fluoroscopy use to nurse anesthetists and updates the Uniform Credentialing Act requirements. This creates a formal framework for NPs and radiographers to work together on fluoroscopy-based care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands nurse practitioner scope for fluoroscopy procedures with training, improving patient access to imaging services in clinical settings.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

Track

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 750: State legislative intent relating to reimbursement for PACE program services under the Health Care Facility Licensure Act

Nebraska's LB 750 directs the Department of Health and Human Services to increase reimbursement rates for PACE (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly) program services to at least 80% of the actual cost of care provided at PACE centers. This policy change directly affects PACE providers (who deliver comprehensive medical and social services to seniors) and the elderly beneficiaries enrolled in the program. The bill amends the Health Care Facility Licensure Act to establish this 80% reimbursement benchmark as legislative intent, requiring the state agency to adjust payment rates accordingly. It does not create new funding but mandates a specific reimbursement standard for existing Medicaid-covered PACE services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases PACE reimbursement to 80% of actual costs, directly funding comprehensive elderly care services under the Health Care Facility Licensure Act.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medicaid Medical Licensing

Track

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Jun 6, 2025

LB 332: Provide for assistant funeral directors, change scope of practice and regulatory provisions regarding funeral directing and embalming, hearing instrument specialists, and audiologists, change membership provisions for the Board of Pharmacy, change provisions regarding delegated dispensing permits and prescription refills, provide medicaid coverage for psychology services, and establish the Rural Health Opportunity Program

LB 332 creates a new "assistant funeral director" role to support licensed funeral directors, allowing assistants to help with funeral arrangements and management under direct supervision but prohibiting embalming (Sections 4-8). The bill expands Medicaid coverage to include psychology services provided by qualified practitioners and establishes the Rural Health Opportunity Program requiring a memorandum of understanding (Sections 38-1509, 38-1512). It also updates regulations for hearing instrument specialists, changes pharmacy board membership rules, and modifies prescription refill requirements. These changes directly affect funeral service professionals, healthcare providers, and Medicaid recipients in Nebraska.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands Medicaid coverage for psychology services and establishes Rural Health Opportunity Program, directly advancing mental health access and rural healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing Prescription Drugs