Child care reimbursement rates lowered

Nebraska child care reimbursement rates will be lowered under a bill given final approval April 28.

Under LB464, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Kathy Campbell at the request of the governor, the state Department of Health and Human Services will no longer be required to set rates at a level between the 60th and 75th percentile of a market survey.

Instead, the bill lowers to the 50th percentile the minimum rate that HHS may pay for the next two years, beginning July 1, 2011. In addition, the rate paid to child-care providers may be no lower than the rate paid in the preceding fiscal year.

Lawmakers passed the bill 42-2.