Advocacy News 2026Apr16

As the LeadingAge Nebraska advocacy team closes out the 2026 legislative session—set to adjourn on April 17—we are proud to share a strong year of engagement, relationship-building, and meaningful policy influence on behalf of our members and the older adults you serve.

This session brought a mix of key policy advancements, important protections, and a few ongoing challenges that will shape our advocacy priorities moving forward. Several major bills now await final approval from the Governor. The last official day of the legislative session will be Friday, April 17^th. 

Strengthening Medicaid Rate Transparency & Stability (LB867 & LB1071)
A top priority this session was ensuring greater transparency and accountability in Medicaid nursing facility rate setting. Through our advocacy:

• The Legislature reinforced that appropriated funding must directly inform rate calculations, including inflation adjustments.
• New reporting requirements will improve visibility into how rates are developed.
• Critically, the average Medicaid nursing facility rate cannot fall below January 1, 2026 levels without legislative direction or emergency conditions.

The state budget (LB1071) aligns with this intent, maintaining funding levels for nursing facilities and preserving assisted living Medicaid rates at $73.91 per day, ensuring stability for providers even in a tight fiscal environment.

Intergenerational Care Expansion (LB721)
This bill expands intergenerational care grants to include existing facilities and removes the rural-only restriction. This opens new opportunities for members across Nebraska to innovate and enhance community-based programming.

Workforce Protections & Oversight (LB921)
A significant step forward in addressing workforce challenges:

• Establishes a Health Care Staffing Agency Registration Act
• Requires annual registration, compliance verification, and insurance standards
• Prohibits noncompete clauses and limits restrictive hiring practices

This creates greater transparency and fairness in staffing relationships—an issue consistently raised by members.

Dementia Care & Training Investments (LB913 & LB1055)

• LB913 establishes a statewide Dementia Services Coordinator, strengthening Nebraska’s strategic approach to Alzheimer’s and dementia care.
• LB1055 requires dementia-specific training within Adult Protective Services education, improving identification, communication, and safety practices.

These efforts reflect continued recognition of the growing needs of individuals living with dementia.

Person-Centered Care & Medicaid Improvements (LB958)
This bill reinforces:

• Person-centered planning standards
• Adequacy of services to prevent unnecessary institutionalization
• Maximum allowable retroactive Medicaid eligibility coverage

It also increases transparency around eligibility changes tied to federal requirements.

Protecting Access to Specialized Long-Term Care (LB1091)
Ensures that individuals with complex needs remain outside of managed care and continue to receive services through fee-for-service Medicaid or other appropriate models—preserving access to specialized care settings.

Additional Policy Highlights

• Redefinition of adult day services (LB1057)
• Creation of a unified Aging, Alzheimer’s, and Dementia Advisory Council
• Updates to Area Agency on Aging (AAA) care management contribution policies to provide greater flexibility for families
• Requirement for progress review of the state’s Olmstead Plan (LB737)

Defensive Victory: 

Preserving Certificate of Need (LB437)

Efforts to eliminate Nebraska’s long-term care Certificate of Need program were successfully amended. Maintaining this program helps ensure thoughtful growth and stability within the long-term care continuum.

Ongoing Challenges & Future Focus:

Managed Care Expansion Threat (LB832)
While amended this session, the inclusion of long-term care in Medicaid managed care remains a significant future concern. Current language signals that this transition could occur as early as next year.

LeadingAge Nebraska is proactively preparing by:

• Engaging Managed Care Organizations (MCOs)
• Advocating for clear expectations and protections
• Ensuring member voices are central in shaping any transition

Pending Governor Action

Several key bills—including LB913 (Dementia Coordinator) and LB737 (Olmstead Plan Oversight)—have been delivered to the Governor and are awaiting final approval. We will continue to monitor these closely and provide updates as they are signed into law.

This legislative session demonstrated the power of consistent, informed advocacy. From protecting funding stability to advancing workforce reforms and dementia care initiatives, your engagement made a difference.



As we look toward interim studies and the next session, LeadingAge Nebraska remains committed to:

• Protecting access to quality long-term care services
• Strengthening the workforce
• Advancing person-centered, sustainable care models 

Visit the Advocacy Page on LeadingAge Nebraska's website for more information and links.

• Nebraska Legislature - home page
• 2026 Legislative Session Calendar
• Nebraska Unicameral Live streaming provided by Nebraska Public Media
• LeadingAge Nebraska Bill Tracker - provided by Jensen Rogert Associates

LeadingAge Action Alerts: You will find all the current national action alerts for topics that concern aging services, older adults, workforce and families across the country. Remember to check back often for the latest updates.

Federal Legislation Tracker. Federal legislation LeadingAge is following and the summary we have produced. 

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