Health care system evaluation approved

Lawmakers adopted a resolution May 30 that will create a partnership to examine how best to control costs and improve quality in Nebraska’s health care system.

LR22, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Kathy Campbell, designates the Health and Human Services Committee, in cooperation with the Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee, to bring together policymakers and stakeholders at all levels to work toward the following goals:
• providing a comprehensive review of Nebraska’s health care delivery, cost and coverage demands;
• engaging partners in dialogue, roundtable discussions and public policy discourse;
• developing a framework for health care system transformation to meet public health, workforce, delivery and budgetary responsibilities; and
• developing cooperative strategies and initiatives for the design, implementation and accountability of services to improve care, quality and value while advancing the overall health of Nebraskans.

The Health and Human Services Committee may conduct public hearings and, in conjunction with the Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee, undertake communication, outreach and educational activities. A joint hearing will be held prior to Nov. 1, to brief the committees on information obtained by the partnership.

Campbell said passage of federal health care reform has provided the state an opportunity to discuss what Nebraska’s health care priorities should be and how to achieve them.

“Our intent is to try and bring together people from across the state of Nebraska and ask what should we do,” she said.

Grand Island Sen. Mike Gloor, chairperson of the Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee, spoke in favor of the resolution. He said 25 percent of Nebraska’s budget is spent on issues related to health care and the percentage is growing. As a result, he said, the state needs to be more aggressive about long-term planning and public health.

“The state used to lead the dialogue and the discourse on this,” Gloor said.

A Health and Human Services Committee amendment, adopted 41-0, removed references to funding for the committee’s activities from Affordable Care Act grants and specified that funding instead will be from existing appropriations in the Health Care Cash Fund.

The resolution was adopted 41-0.