Public health, rural health provider incentive funds sought

The Appropriations Committee heard testimony March 25 on bills seeking funds to improve public health programs and incentivize rural health providers.

LB119, introduced by Omaha Sen. Tanya Cook, would appropriate $3.6 million annually in fiscal years 2013-14 and 2014-15 to the state Department of Health and Human Services. The department then would distribute $200,000 to each of the state’s 18 local public health departments to improve preventive health programs.

Cook said that each public health department has completed a strategic plan for their service area outlining the preventative health needs of the population they serve.

“These preventative health programs are designed to address the specific health priorities of each community,” she said.

Lincoln–Lancaster County Health Department director Judy Halstead testified in support of the bill, saying the increased funds would improve programs designed to increase physical activity and reduce obesity, among other objectives.

“The majority of Nebraska state funds are focused on treating health problems, not preventing them,” Halstead said. “We can and must create a culture of wellness.”

LB20, introduced by Omaha Sen. Jeremy Nordquist, would appropriate annually $600,000 in general funds and $600,000 in cash funds in fiscal years 2013-14 and 2014-15 to the Rural Health Provider Incentive Program.

Nordquist said the bill is intended to help alleviate shortages of mental health, medical, dental and other health care providers by increasing funding to two programs – the Nebraska Student Loan Program and the Nebraska Loan Repayment Program – that offer financial incentives to practice in shortage areas.

Nebraska has a shortage of health care providers, Nordquist said, and loan incentives are an important element in recruiting and retaining them. He said there currently is a waiting list for the state’s incentive programs.

“While this certainly will not solve our provider issue … it is one step,” Nordquist said.

Jerusha Hancock of Nebraska Appleseed testified in support of LB20.

Many Nebraskans soon will have access to health care services for the first time under federal health care reform, she said, and the state lacks the provider capacity to handle the influx. Eleven counties in Nebraska do not have a primary care physician, she said.

“We can begin to address the shortage [with this bill] and ensure that all Nebraskans have access to a primary care provider,” Hancock said.

Jessica Meeske, a pediatric dentist from Hastings, also testified in support, saying she and her husband were recipients of the loan repayment program in the 1990s. Meeske said the program was an important incentive in recruiting them to the area and allowing them to serve a large number of Medicaid recipients and other underserved populations.

“Had this program not been in place, I’m not sure we would have chosen to practice in rural Nebraska,” she said.

No one testified in opposition to either bill and the committee took no immediate action on them.