Aging task force veto overridden

Lawmakers voted April 10 to override a gubernatorial veto of a bill that creates a statewide task force on aging and seeks federal grant funds.

LB690, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Kate Bolz, creates the Aging Nebraskans Task Force to facilitate implementation of a statewide strategic plan for addressing the needs of Nebraska’s aging population.

The task force will include stakeholders as well as representatives of the three branches of state government and will report its recommendations to the Legislature by Dec. 15, 2014. The task force will terminate June 30, 2016, unless extended by the Legislature.

The bill also requires the state Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) by Sept. 1, 2014, to apply for a federal grant to fund the development of a comprehensive and coordinated system of home and community based long-term care services.

LB690 was approved March 31 on a 32-11 vote.

In his veto message, Gov. Dave Heineman objected to the bill’s provision requiring DHHS to apply for federal funding through the Balancing Incentive Payments Program. Calling the program a “bait-and-switch,” Heineman said Nebraska taxpayers would be required to bear the $30 million annual cost of new programming when the federal match ends.

Bolz offered a motion to override the governor’s veto. She said the grant funds simply would mean a higher federal match for long-term care services that the state already must provide to its aging population. The goal of the program, Bolz said, is to incentivize states to encourage home- and community-based services that are less expensive than nursing home care.

“This bill is about maintaining our commitment to our aging population, she said.

Omaha Sen. Jeremy Nordquist supported the override motion, saying the federal funding would help communities create the capacity needed to provide more home and community-based care, especially in rural areas and small communities.

“It’s the right thing to do for the state from a financial perspective and for our constituents, who would much rather age in place,” he said.

Sen. Beau McCoy of Omaha opposed the override motion. He expressed concern that Nebraska would be unable to recapture money spent on services if the state failed to meet the grant program’s requirements.

“The thresholds to get the matching federal funds are very high,” he said.

Lawmakers voted 30-12 to override the governor’s veto and enact LB690. Thirty votes are required to override a veto.