Funding bill for agencies supporting aging Nebraskans narrowed, advanced

A measure intended to address a budget deficit within agencies that support aging Nebraskans was amended May 8 to remove a separate proposal that was added on general file.

LB382, introduced by Pender Sen. Glen Meyer, would expand permissible uses of the Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Fund to include reimbursement for the cost of services provided by the eight Nebraska Area Agencies on Aging.

The bill states legislative intent to appropriate $2 million in fiscal year 2025-26 and FY2026-27 from the fund to be used for eligible activities under the Nebraska Community Aging Services Act — such as nutrition, transportation and in-home care support services — distributed equally to each of the eight agencies.

The proposal was amended during the first round of debate to include a juvenile support pilot program measure, also funded through the Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Fund, which had failed to advance to select file.

That measure, Omaha Sen. Terrell McKinney’s LB48, would create a pilot program to provide support services for families and youth involved in or at risk of entering the juvenile justice system.

Meyer offered an amendment during select file debate to remove those provisions. He said it would be beneficial to have each measure decided on its own merits.

Senators adopted Meyer’s amendment 31-0 and advanced LB382 to final reading by voice vote.