Omnibus health services bill approved

Senators passed a bill March 28 that makes a number of changes to laws governing the licensure and provision of health services in Nebraska.

Among other provisions, LB1215, sponsored by Blair Sen. Ben Hansen, requires nurse renewal licenses to be registered in the state Department of Health and Human Services electronic database and eliminates the certificate of need requirement for rehabilitation beds in hospitals.

The measure includes provisions of 10 other proposals considered by the Health and Human Services Committee this session, including:
• LB823, sponsored by Bellevue Sen. Carol Blood, which adopts the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact;
• LB896, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Beau Ballard, which repeals a requirement for a signed statement within 10 days when a telehealth patient gives verbal consent during an initial consultation;
• LB1009, sponsored by Sen. Merv Riepe of Ralston, which allows a person who has failed the state barber examination a third time to take the test again;
• LB1106, introduced by Omaha Sen. Jen Day, which requires Medicaid to cover a minimum of 10 lactation consultations for mothers and children covered under Medicaid and increases lactation consultant provider rates by 145%;
• LB1107, also introduced by Day, which requires DHHS to provide Medicaid coverage for electric breast pumps for qualified pregnant women, beginning no later than Jan. 1, 2025;
• LB1138, sponsored by Riepe, which allows a prescriber who issues fewer than 50 prescriptions a year to not use electronic prescription technology;
• LB1171, introduced by Gering Sen. Brian Hardin, which adds an exception to pharmacy verification requirements for pharmacies with multiple locations that share a common electronic database;
• LB1173, sponsored by Riepe, which changes requirements related to vital statistics;
• LB1181, introduced by Ballard, which changes the Pharmacy Practice Act, Uniform Controlled Substances Act and Public Health and Welfare statutes relating to medications; and
• LB1373, sponsored by Blood, which creates the Dietitian Licensure Compact, which will take effect when seven states pass enacting legislation, and adds dietitians to the list of health professions in Nebraska that require a background check.

Lawmakers passed the measure on a 45-0 vote and LB1215 took effect immediately.