Healthcare (Healthcare Workforce)

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 367: Prohibit conversion therapy and provide for disciplinary sanctions and a deceptive trade practice

LB 367 prohibits licensed medical and mental health professionals (including doctors, psychologists, nurses, and pharmacists) from providing conversion therapy, gender identity conversion therapy, or sexual orientation conversion therapy to individuals under 19 years old. The bill amends Nebraska’s Uniform Credentialing Act to add "providing conversion therapy" as a specific ground for disciplinary action, including license suspension or revocation. It also bans the use of state funds for conversion therapy and defines the prohibited practice as any effort to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. The law directly affects practitioners in the Medicine and Surgery, Mental Health, Nurse, Pharmacy, and Psychology practice acts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits conversion therapy for minors by mental health professionals, protecting patient rights and supporting safe mental health services through disciplinary enforcement.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing Prescription Drugs

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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 The bill removes outdated sections (38-609, 38-613, and 38-614) while keeping midwives' core services - like prenatal care, childbirth support, and gynecological care - unchanged.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

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Hospitals Medical Licensing

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signed · Nebraska · Legislature Jun 6, 2025

LB 22: Require the Department of Health and Human Services to file a state plan amendment for evidence-based nurse home-visitation services

LB 22 requires Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services to adopt evidence-based nurse home-visitation programs for families with children under five or pregnant individuals. These programs must be delivered by nurses or trained professionals and focus on improving maternal/child health, parenting skills, and school readiness. The bill mandates that only programs meeting strict evidence-based standards - like national certification and culturally competent staff - receive state funding, and requires the department to report annually on program locations, outcomes, and funding use. It specifically excludes one-time visits and ensures families can decline services at any time. The law also directs the department to file a state plan amendment with federal authorities to secure Medicaid coverage for these services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates state funding for evidence-based maternal/child health home-visitation programs, expanding preventive care access and improving public health outcomes.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Healthcare Workforce

died · Nebraska · Legislature Jun 6, 2025

LB 630: Provide and change scope of practice requirements under the Occupational Therapy Practice Act

LB 630 amends Nebraska's Occupational Therapy Practice Act to clarify and update scope-of-practice rules for occupational therapists and assistants. It redefines key terms like "electrotherapeutic agent modalities" (Sec. 38-2507) and "physical agent modalities" (Sec. 38-2513), specifies permitted treatments (e.g., heat/cold therapy, electrical stimulation), and refines temporary license rules (Sec. 38-2517). The bill directly affects licensed therapists, assistants, students in training, and healthcare workers in related fields who may perform overlapping tasks under defined conditions. These changes aim to modernize practice standards while maintaining clear boundaries for who can provide specific treatments.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareClarifies scope for occupational therapists, enabling expanded permitted treatments (e.g., electrical stimulation) and improving access to therapy services per updated practice rules.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 570: Provide for scholarships for nursing students

Nebraska's LB 570 creates a scholarship program for nursing students, providing $2,500 per semester to eligible students enrolled in approved nursing programs. To qualify, students must reside in Nebraska, enroll in an approved associate, diploma, certificate, or accelerated bachelor's nursing program, and agree to work as a nurse in Nebraska for two years after graduation. The bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services to administer the program, with the Legislature intending to appropriate $5 million for fiscal year 2025-26. This policy directly affects nursing students in Nebraska seeking financial support in exchange for a commitment to work in the state's healthcare sector.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAllocates state funds for nursing scholarships, constituting government spending under budget management. Directly funds an essential program via appropriations.85% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationCreates $2,500/semester nursing scholarships, increasing higher education funding and access for students in approved programs, aligning with educational support indicators.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds nursing education to increase healthcare workforce, directly strengthening provider availability and access to health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Financial Aid Healthcare Workforce

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 436: Change provisions of the Nebraska Regulation of Health Professions Act

LB 436 updates Nebraska's rules for regulating health professions and changing their scope of practice. It requires new or expanding health professions to prove unregulated practice harms public health, that regulation won't create economic barriers, and that new competency standards will protect patients. This affects health professionals seeking state licensing or expanded practice authority, as well as the state agencies reviewing their applications. The bill sets clear, evidence-based criteria to determine when regulation is necessary, replacing outdated language in the existing law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires evidence-based regulation to protect patients and prevent economic barriers in health professions licensing, aligning with patient protection and access indicators.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing Public Health Tags Licensing

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 554: Create the Nebraska Health Professions Commission

LB 554 creates the Nebraska Health Professions Commission to review applications for new health professions or changes to scope of practice for existing regulated health professions. The commission will evaluate proposals using criteria including public health impacts, workforce shortages, healthcare quality, access, and patient affordability, while holding public hearings. It replaces previous "technical committees," requires co-chairs from public health and population health research, and must submit annual reports to the Legislature by October 1. The bill allocates $300,000 annually for the commission, including $100,000 to fund data collection through the University of Nebraska Medical Center's Health Professions Tracking Service.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates commission to evaluate health professions using access, affordability, and quality criteria, directly advancing patient access and healthcare quality standards.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing Public Health

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 533: Provide requirements relating to clinician-administered drugs under the Pharmacy Benefit Manager Licensure and Regulation Act

This bill adds specific requirements for "clinician-administered drugs" (outpatient drugs that cannot be self-administered and must be given in clinics, hospitals, or similar settings by a healthcare provider) under Nebraska's Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) regulations. It requires specialty pharmacies shipping these drugs to provide 24/7 pharmacist/nurse access, allow refill requests through PBMs/health plans, and comply with federal drug tracking rules. The bill also mandates that PBMs or health plans must establish a clear appeal process for providers if drugs aren't delivered on time or if urgent care is needed to prevent immediate harm. These changes directly affect specialty pharmacies, PBMs, and healthcare providers administering these drugs, effective January 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires PBMs to provide 24/7 clinician access and streamline refills for clinician-administered drugs, improving patient access to essential medications under PBM regulations.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing Prescription Drugs

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signed · Nebraska · Legislature Jun 6, 2025

LB 312: Include nurse anesthesia practice and dietitian nutrition practice under the Rural Health Systems and Professional Incentive Act

This bill adds nurse anesthetists and dietitian nutritionists to Nebraska's Rural Health Systems and Professional Incentive Act. It expands eligibility for student loans and loan repayment programs to include these professions, allowing them to qualify for financial assistance if they practice in designated health shortage areas. Specifically, nurse anesthetists and dietitian nutritionists become eligible for up to $15,000 annually in loan repayment (capped at $45,000 total) under the same terms as other qualifying healthcare providers like nurse practitioners and physical therapists. The bill amends existing statutes to formally include these professions in program eligibility and shortage area designations.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesFunds loan repayment for rural healthcare professionals in health shortage areas, advancing public health services through state budget allocation.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands loan repayment for nurse anesthetists/dietitians in rural health shortage areas, directly improving access to healthcare services and workforce availability in underserved regions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce

in committee · Nebraska · Legislature Sep 5, 2025

LR 232: Interim study to examine regulatory restrictions and opportunities in medical education in order to strengthen the medical workforce in rural and other underserved areas of Nebraska

This resolution proposes an interim study to examine how current regulations affect medical education and workforce development in Nebraska's rural and underserved areas. The Health and Human Services Committee will investigate barriers like licensure rules, training site availability, and recruitment challenges that limit doctors and nurses working in these communities. The study will analyze accreditation standards, clinical training access, and potential policy solutions such as educational incentives. It does not create new laws but aims to identify concrete steps to strengthen healthcare access in underserved regions. The committee will report findings and recommendations to the Legislature after completing the study.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly aims to strengthen medical workforce in underserved areas by studying regulatory barriers, improving healthcare access through workforce development.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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