Transitional health care for homeless adults approved

Short-term housing and supportive medical services will be available for eligible adults experiencing homelessness under a bill approved by lawmakers March 21.

LB905, introduced by Ralston Sen. Merv Riepe, requires the state Department of Health and Human Services to apply for a Medicaid waiver or state plan amendment with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services by Oct. 1, 2025, to designate two medical respite facilities for homeless individuals in Nebraska.

The facilities — one located in a primary class city and the other in a metropolitan class city — will be reimbursed for services to qualified individuals. Lincoln is the state’s only primary class city and Omaha is the only metropolitan class city.

The bill also provides the department with authority to license adult respite care facilities and authorizes funding for the program from the Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Fund.

LB905 passed on a 43-0 vote.