Addition to health professional loan program expanded, advanced

Lawmakers expanded a bill March 11 intended to alleviate a shortage of health professionals in Nebraska and advanced the measure to the final round of consideration.

LB312, sponsored by Sidney Sen. Paul Strommen, would add nurse anesthetists to the list of health professions that qualify for the Rural Health Systems and Professional Incentive Act. The act requires participants to practice in a designated health profession shortage area in Nebraska for three years to qualify for the incentive.

Under the bill, a newly eligible nurse anesthetist could receive repayment for qualified educational debts up to $15,000 annually for three years.

Ralston Sen. Merv Riepe offered an amendment on select file to incorporate his LB553. The amendment would add dietician nutritionists as qualified health professionals who are eligible for the program.

Dietician nutritionists are especially important in areas of the state that are classified as food deserts, Riepe said, because successful weight management and associated medical conditions require nutritional education and long-term support.

Strommen supported the amendment, saying it would rely on the same funding mechanism as the underlying bill to help address Nebraska’s rural health care needs.

After adopting the amendment on a 38-0 vote, lawmakers advanced LB312 to final reading by voice vote.