Health services package approved

An omnibus health services measure was given final approval June 1.

LB227, introduced by Blair Sen. Ben Hansen, requires the state Department of Health and Human Services to provide Medicaid reimbursement to hospitals at 100 percent of the statewide average nursing per diem rate for Medicaid enrollees who meet certain criteria.

The bill was amended to include provisions of more than 20 other measures related to health and human services issues, including pharmacy practice, licensure and postpartum care.

Among those measures is LB84, sponsored by Omaha Sen. Jen Day, which extends the sunset date for expanded Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program eligibility in Nebraska to Oct. 1, 2026.

Also included is LB586, introduced by Seward Sen. Jana Hughes, which provides $3 million in general funds in fiscal year 2023-24 and $3 million in FY2024-25 to incentivize and expand opportunities for nursing education and the training of nursing faculty.

LB227 passed on a vote of 47-0 and takes effect immediately.