Each week of the legislative session, we will break down 5 bills that are important to aging services providers. This is a deeper dive into the issues that are important to our membership and what we are doing about it.
1. LB 437, introduced by Senator Riepe, would repeal Nebraska’s Certificate of Need (CON) law and is now advancing to the legislative floor for debate. The Health and Human Services Committee advanced the bill with AM659, a committee amendment that preserves the CON framework while making targeted updates to modernize and clarify the process, including limited flexibility for bed relocation and defined thresholds—an approach we view as reform rather than repeal. Additional amendments include AM782, which would strike the committee amendment and significantly weaken CON oversight, and AM1732, which would retain CON but adjust the validity and renewal timeline for certificates. LeadingAge Nebraska supports maintaining a strong CON system to ensure thoughtful planning and stability for aging services, and we remain open to amendments that responsibly improve the process without eliminating this important safeguard.
2. LB721, introduced by Senator Dan Quick, would amend the Intergenerational Care Facility Incentive Grant Program to revise eligibility provisions for grants that support nursing homes and assisted-living facilities in establishing or expanding child care services on site, with priority for rural communities and funds available for startup costs such as modifying structures or purchasing equipment. The bill hearing is scheduled for January 22nd. LAN has submitted online testimony in support of LB721, underscoring our position that enhancing eligibility for these grants will help expand integrated care models that benefit both older adults and families by promoting intergenerational engagement and workforce support in long-term care settings.
3. LB733, introduced by Senator Merv Riepe, renames the Division of Developmental Disabilities within the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to the Division of Disability and Aging and makes related statutory updates. The bill modifies multiple sections of Nebraska Revised Statutes so that the division’s title now reflects its expanded focus on both disability and aging services within DHHS. This change is intended to better align the division’s name with its responsibilities related to aging and disability programs, reduce public confusion about which state entity handles aging issues, and clarify statutory language regarding division duties and oversight. LAN supports LB733 because updating the division’s name helps address the needs of Nebraska’s aging population, ensures clearer public understanding of service responsibilities, and strengthens administrative alignment for disability and aging services statewide.
4. LB832, introduced by Senator Ben Hansen, seeks to extend the current prohibition on adding long-term care services and supports into Nebraska’s Medicaid managed care program, maintaining that long-term care (including nursing facility, home- and community-based services, and related supports) should remain outside managed care delivery and payment structures. The bill continues this prohibition for an extended period (via proposed amendment FA472) through 2028 (or beyond, per amendment language) to maintain fee-for-service delivery for these critical services rather than shifting them into managed care. We oppose the inclusion of long-term care in the managed care program because transitioning these services into managed care risks disrupting beneficiary access, complicating provider reimbursement, and destabilizing long-term care provider operations; instead, we support the amendment to extend the prohibition period to 2028 to ensure that long-term care services and supports remain outside managed care while more thoughtful, evidence-based reforms are developed and implemented. LAN has submitted testimony in support of this bill and the amendment.
5. LB845 would eliminate, rename, and otherwise revise provisions relating to committees and councils administered by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, including updates to standing advisory bodies and formal groups that provide guidance on health and human services policy. The bill was advanced with an amendment (FA485) that adjusts specific committee structures and statutory language as part of broader DHHS committee oversight reforms. We participate in the Alzheimer’s Disease and Other Dementia Advisory Council and have met with DHHS on an amendment to LB845 that would increase the membership of this important council to 17 members (rather than the current proposal of 12), to ensure broader representation. It is critical to have all voices participating on the council and sufficient representation to complete the work of addressing the needs of Nebraskans living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias and supporting caregivers as the state implements the State Alzheimer’s Plan and related initiatives.
