Healthcare (Medicaid)

in committee · Nebraska · Legislature Mar 30, 2026

LR 482: Interim study relating to insurance coverage practices and policies and reimbursement structures for access to nonopioid treatment options to address opioid use, overdose outcomes, and access to care across Nebraska

This legislative resolution directs the Nebraska Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee to conduct an interim study on insurance coverage, Medicaid policies, and reimbursement structures related to nonopioid treatment options for opioid use and pain management. The study will examine barriers to accessing nonopioid therapies, analyze disparities in opioid-related outcomes across different populations, and explore ways to expand access to nonopioid pain treatments and substance use disorder services. The committee will submit a report with findings and recommendations to the Legislature, which may inform future policy changes to improve equitable access to care and reduce reliance on opioid medications in Nebraska.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill directs study to improve access to nonopioid treatments and reduce opioid-related outcomes, indicating support for healthcare improvements.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicaid Substance Abuse

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 970: Require the Department of Health and Human Services to submit a state plan amendment to include a program of early literacy promotion and intervention in well-child visits under the early and periodic screening, diagnosis, and treatment services program

LB 970 requires Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services to submit a state plan amendment seeking federal approval to add early literacy promotion and intervention services to well-child visits under the existing Medicaid Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnosis, and Treatment (EPSDT) program. This change would directly affect children under 21 covered by Nebraska Medicaid who receive routine well-child checkups. The bill mandates that these visits include screenings and interventions for early literacy development, integrating this service into the current EPSDT framework. The key mechanism is the submission of a state plan amendment to the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services for approval. This policy change would expand the scope of preventive services provided during standard pediatric visits for Medicaid-eligible children.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationIntegrates early literacy screening/intervention into Medicaid healthcare visits, supporting foundational educational access for vulnerable children under 21 via health services.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdds early literacy services to Medicaid EPSDT program, expanding preventive healthcare access for children under 21 during routine well-child visits.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Medicaid Medicare

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1124: Increase the cigarette tax and state intent and change provisions relating to the distribution of cigarette tax proceeds

LB 1124 increases Nebraska's cigarette tax by $1.64 per pack (for ≤20 cigarettes) and redirects the majority of tax proceeds to specific state funds. It directs 97 cents per pack plus $1.25 million annually to the Nebraska Health Care Cash Fund for Medicaid programs, addressing smoking-related healthcare costs cited as exceeding $120 million yearly. The bill also allocates remaining funds to outdoor recreation, health services, building renewal, and public safety programs, while requiring the General Fund to receive the equivalent of 52.49 cents per pack. The changes take effect July 1, 2026, with Medicaid funding as the primary new focus.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases cigarette tax to fund Medicaid, health services, and public safety programs, directing proceeds to essential state funds per bill's explicit allocation.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRedirects cigarette tax revenue to Medicaid health funds, citing smoking-related healthcare costs, explicitly funding public health programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics State Budget Medicaid

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signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 958: Provide for implementation of a home and community-based services waiver, retroactive coverage of certain benefits, and reimbursement of doula services and change reporting requirements under the Medical Assistance Act, change provisions relating to the Nebraska Prenatal Plus Program, and provide limits for crisis assistance payments under the low-income home energy assistance program

This bill requires Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services to obtain legislative approval before applying for or amending a federal 1915(c) Medicaid waiver that would introduce individual cost limits, reduce total service hours, or narrow eligibility criteria. It also defines "nursing facility level of care" as a Medicaid recipient needing assistance with two or more daily activities in a community setting, provided the waiver program remains cost-neutral. These changes directly affect Medicaid recipients, providers, and the Department of Health and Human Services by regulating waiver modifications and clarifying service standards. The bill harmonizes existing definitions within Nebraska's Medical Assistance Act to ensure consistency in Medicaid program administration.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents Medicaid waiver changes that would reduce services/eligibility by requiring legislative approval, protecting existing coverage and maintaining cost-neutral programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 946: State intent regarding appropriations to the Department of Health and Human Services for medicaid assisted-living facilities

This bill directs Nebraska's Legislature to appropriate $7,046,697 (including $3.1 million in state funds and $3.9 million in federal funds) for fiscal year 2026-27 specifically to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for assisted-living facilities. It mandates that the Department of Health and Human Services raise the daily rate for all facilities under Nebraska's aged and disabled home and community-based Medicaid waiver program (Program No. 348) to $78.45 per day, applying equally to both rural and urban facilities. The funding is intended to directly affect Medicaid-certified assisted-living facilities serving eligible older adults and disabled individuals in Nebraska.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirects $7.05M state/federal appropriation to increase Medicaid reimbursement rates for essential healthcare facilities, funding a critical public service program.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates $7M in Medicaid funding to increase reimbursement rates for assisted-living facilities, directly strengthening healthcare coverage and access for aged/disabled residents under Medicaid waiver program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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failed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 929: Provide for managed care organizations to pay the deductible, cost sharing, or similar charges on behalf of medicaid enrollees

This bill (LB 929) amends Nebraska's Medicaid rules to restrict cost-sharing requirements for enrollees. It prohibits the Department of Health and Human Services from imposing deductibles, copayments, or similar charges unless federal law mandates them (Section 68-912(6)). If federal requirements apply, the state must implement them no earlier than October 1, 2028, at the lowest amount permitted by federal law (Section 68-912(7)), allow managed care organizations to pay these costs on behalf of enrollees, and prevent providers from denying care due to unpaid charges. The bill directly affects Nebraska Medicaid enrollees by protecting them from unexpected out-of-pocket costs and ensuring access to care.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRestricts Medicaid cost-sharing by prohibiting deductibles/copays unless federally mandated, improving access for enrollees and aligning with patient access protections.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 1143: Change provisions relating to nursing facility rates and establish a money follows the person program under the Medical Assistance Act

Nebraska bill LB 1143 changes how Medicaid funds are used for nursing facility care by requiring rates to be based on actual client usage and service needs, rather than fixed amounts. It mandates that the Department of Health and Human Services submit a federal application to establish a "Money Follows the Person" program by December 2026. This program would help Medicaid recipients transition from nursing homes to community-based care while maintaining their long-term care coverage. The bill directly affects Nebraska residents in nursing facilities and those eligible for community-based services under Medicaid.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill reforms Medicaid funding to be needs-based and mandates transition to community care while maintaining coverage, improving access and patient rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medicaid

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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 942: Provide requirements for medicaid reimbursement for emergency medical conditions and inpatient services under the Medical Assistance Act

LB 942 amends Nebraska's Medical Assistance Act to clarify Medicaid reimbursement rules for emergency and inpatient services. It requires Medicaid to reimburse emergency services based solely on a patient's symptoms at the time of care (not final diagnosis), prohibits reducing payments for emergency services based on later diagnoses or screening tools, and mandates reimbursement at the standard fee-for-service rate. For inpatient care, it sets a two-midnight minimum stay requirement based on physician documentation of medical factors like symptoms and risk of adverse events, with exceptions for unexpected circumstances like death or transfer. The bill directly affects Medicaid recipients, hospitals, and emergency care providers by standardizing payment criteria under state Medicaid programs.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates Medicaid reimbursement for emergency services based on symptoms (not diagnosis), preventing underpayment and ensuring access to critical care, aligning with patient access and provider protection indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Medicaid

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 812: Provide requirements for the Department of Health and Human Services relating to medicaid eligibility redeterminations and community engagement

This bill (LB 812) updates Nebraska's Medicaid program rules by requiring the Department of Health and Human Services to follow specific federal timelines for checking Medicaid eligibility. It limits eligibility redeterminations to no more frequently than federal law allows and sets strict rules for community engagement requirements: the department must wait until federal deadlines, allow only one month of compliance per review, and check adherence no more often than every six months during eligibility reviews. These changes directly affect Medicaid recipients who undergo periodic eligibility checks and the Department of Health and Human Services, which must now follow these standardized procedures. The bill amends existing law to align with federal requirements while adding operational safeguards for how eligibility and community engagement are managed.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill prevents excessive Medicaid eligibility checks, ensuring stable coverage by adhering to federal timelines and limiting redeterminations to avoid disruptions in health insurance access for beneficiaries.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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