Healthcare (Children's Health)

in committee · Nebraska · Legislature Jul 21, 2026

LR 423: Interim study to examine the issue of food insecurity for pregnant and postpartum women and their children in Nebraska

This legislative resolution directs the Nebraska Health and Human Services Committee to conduct an interim study on food insecurity affecting pregnant and postpartum women and their children. The study will examine current data on food insecurity, identify barriers to accessing food assistance, review existing programs like WIC and SNAP, and assess how these services impact maternal and child health outcomes. The committee will also consider potential policy changes and determine if additional state funding is needed to improve access to nutrition services for this population.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates study on food insecurity's impact on maternal/child health outcomes, aiming to improve access to food assistance programs like WIC and SNAP which support healthcare access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Women's Health

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 773: Eliminate a sunset date and change provisions of the Nebraska Prenatal Plus Program

LB 773 extends Nebraska's Prenatal Plus Program beyond its original 2028 end date, ensuring continued support for at-risk mothers. The bill modifies eligibility requirements, updates which services qualify for reimbursement (including nutrition counseling, psychosocial support, and breastfeeding sessions), and extends the Department of Health and Human Services' annual reporting requirement through 2034. This program directly affects pregnant and postpartum mothers in Nebraska who qualify as "at-risk" due to factors affecting maternal or infant health. The changes make the program permanent (removing the sunset date), clarify covered services, and require longer-term data collection on program outcomes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill extends Nebraska's Prenatal Plus Program, expands qualifying services (nutrition, psychosocial support), and ensures continued healthcare access for at-risk mothers, directly strengthening maternal health coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health

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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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signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 762: Require insurance coverage of pediatric autoimmune disorders

LB 762 requires most health insurance policies in Nebraska to cover treatment for two specific pediatric conditions: pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorder associated with streptococcal infection (PANDAS) and pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome (PANS). It mandates coverage for recommended treatments like antibiotics, medication, behavioral therapy, plasma exchange, and immunoglobulin, directly affecting families of children diagnosed with these conditions and insurers offering health coverage in the state. Insurers must report coverage denials for these treatments annually to the Department of Insurance, which will publish a public report starting in 2028. The bill aims to ensure access to medically necessary care for affected children without insurer denials.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for pediatric autoimmune disorders, expanding treatment access and requiring coverage for specific therapies like antibiotics and behavioral therapy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Insurance

signed · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 867: Change provisions relating to special needs trusts, fingerprints under the Uniform Credentialing Act, child care grants, the Title IV-D Division Customer Service Unit, eligibility for young adults in the bridge to independence program, licensed and self-funded insurers under the Medical Assistance Act, medicaid nursing facility rates, assistance to aged, blind, or disabled persons, and the state Commodity Supplemental Food program; provide for a money follows the person program for medicaid benefits, a youth afterschool eligibility letter for child care employment, use of wholesale drug distributor license fees for the prescription drug monitoring program, and maintenance of epinephrine by certain schools; change provisions of and rename the Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementia Support Act , the Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementia Advisory Council, the State Advisory Committee on Mental Health, the Division of Developmental Disabilities of the Department of Health and Human Services, and the Director of Developmental Disabilities; and eliminate provisions relating to divisions of the Department of Health and Human Services, the Division of Medicaid and Long-Term Care Advisory Committee on Aging, the Maternal and Child Health and Public Health Work Fund, and an obsolete Nurse Licensure Compact

LB 867 amends multiple Nebraska statutes governing health and human services programs administered by the Department of Health and Human Services. It directly affects individuals receiving state benefits, including those in medical assistance, child care, and the "Bridge to Independence" program for young adults. Key changes include eliminating spousal asset requirements for medical assistance, adjusting eligibility for the Bridge to Independence program, modifying child care grant funding, and removing obsolete provisions like the Maternal and Child Health Work Fund. The bill also repeals outdated rules, such as the Nurse Licensure Compact and certain fingerprint requirements under the Uniform Credentialing Act.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEliminates spousal asset requirements for medical assistance, expanding access to health coverage under Nebraska's Medicaid program.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Healthcare Workforce Long-Term Care

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 Apr 17, 2026

LB 283: Require the Department of Health and Human Services to implement express lane eligibility

LB 283 requires Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services to implement "express lane eligibility" for Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) enrollment by using existing Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) data. This means eligible children who already receive SNAP benefits will be automatically enrolled in Medicaid or CHIP without needing separate applications, covering initial applications, renewals, and automatic updates. The bill directs the state to submit federal plan amendments by October 2025, with implementation starting January 1, 2026. It specifically affects children in SNAP households who qualify for medical assistance programs. The policy change streamlines enrollment by leveraging existing federal data sharing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAutomates Medicaid/CHIP enrollment for SNAP-eligible children, expanding coverage access without separate applications or renewals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health Medicaid

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died · Nebraska · Legislature Apr 17, 2026

LB 153: Require the Department of Health and Human Services to file a state plan amendment for postpartum coverage

LB 153 requires Nebraska's Department of Health and Human Services to submit a state plan amendment to the federal government seeking approval to extend Medicaid postpartum coverage from 60 days to at least six months for eligible new mothers. This change would directly affect Medicaid-covered postpartum individuals, ensuring continued health insurance coverage during the critical postpartum period. The bill specifies that funding for this extension would come from the Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Fund, as outlined in Section 68-996. The amendment seeks federal matching funds to support this expanded coverage period under the Children's Health Insurance Program.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends Medicaid postpartum coverage from 60 days to 6 months, expanding health insurance access for new mothers during critical period.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health

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