Medicaid translation requirement approved

A bill that requires the state to provide coverage for all necessary translation and interpretation services for individuals who receive Medicaid passed April 11.

LB62, sponsored by Omaha Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh, requires the state Department of Health and Human Services to provide the coverage, as well as reimbursement for providers, and to “take all actions necessary” to maximize federal funding to do so.

Funding for the measure will come from the Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Fund.

The bill includes provisions of Cavanaugh’s LB871 that require DHHS to submit an annual report to the Legislature by Nov. 1 of each year detailing current and anticipated Temporary Assistance for Needy Families program expenditures.

The report will include a description of each program or service funded by TANF, the number of people being served, total costs and expenditures and the TANF purpose met by each program or service.

For programs other than the Aid to Dependent Children program, the report will include a “clear statement” explaining how an expenditure for that program or service is more likely to help families achieve economic mobility and self-sufficiency than an increase in ADC expenditures.

The measure also includes provisions of Cavanaugh’s LB1237, which require a DHHS annual report on Medicaid redeterminations.

LB62 passed on a vote of 34-6.