Rotunda Archive

May 14, 2007

Email Your State Senator

Other Advocacy Resources

Where to get current legislative news

The NHA Web site Advocacy page has valuable information resources for your advocacy efforts, including:

  If you have questions or concerns about any state legislation, please contact Bruce Rieker, vice president, advocacy, at 402/742-8146 or brieker@nhanet.org; or Carly Runestad, director of health policy, at 402/742-8153 or crunestad@nhanet.org. 

Only 11 working days remain in the current legislative session. The final day is scheduled for May 31. Many bills are yet to be discussed and the Nebraska Hospital Association will be actively involved at the capitol as bills of interest to our members are debated.

NHA bills of interest advance

The following bills were recently advanced by the Unicameral.

• LB 144 – Adopt the Hepatitis C Education and Prevention Act.
  Sponsor: Sen. Vickie McDonald – Status: Passed by the Legislature
  NHA position: Support
• LB 152 – Change insurer reporting requirements regarding liability claims.
  Sponsor: Sen. Dave Pankonin – Status: Passed by the Legislature
  NHA position: Monitor
• LB 236 – Provide requirements for in-home personal care services workers.
  Sponsor: Sen. Joel Johnson – Status: Passed by the Legislature
  NHA position: Support
• LB 373 – Inadmissibility of apologies regarding medical care as evidence.
  Sponsor: Sen. DiAnna Schimek – Status: Advanced to Final Reading
  NHA position: Support
• LB 463 – Adopt the Uniform Credentialing Act.
  Sponsor: Sen. Joel Johnson – Status: Passed by the Legislature 
  NHA position: Support
• LB 481 – Change requirements relating to criminal background checks for certain health care providers.
  Sponsor: Sen. Joel Johnson – Status: Passed by the Legislature
  NHA position: Monitor
• LB 482 – Provide for the coverage of qualifying autism services under the Medical Assistance Act.
  Sponsor: Sen. Joel Johnson – Status: Advanced to Select File
  NHA position: Monitor
• LB 542 – Appropriate funds to the Department of Health and Human Services. Sponsor: Sen. John Synowiecki – Status: Advanced to Select File
  NHA position: Support
• LB 588 – Change the workers’ compensation fee schedule and payment of providers. 
  Sponsor: Sen. Abbie Cornett – Status: Advanced to Final Reading
  NHA position: Previously opposed but now support with recent amendments
• LB 674 – Prohibits use of social security numbers by employers as prescribed and provides a penalty. 
  Sponsor: Sen. Steve Lathrop – Status: Returned to Select File
  NHA position: Monitor

Nebraska lawmakers tweak budget for final consideration

(Omaha World-Herald & AP) – Lawmakers made only a couple of changes to the $6.8 billion state budget before advancing it May 9 to the final round of consideration. The budget, which covers the two fiscal years beginning July 1, represents an average annual increase of 4.5 percent in state spending and leaves room for a $424.4 million package of income, sales and estate tax changes. The tax cut package has cleared two rounds of debate and is awaiting a final vote by the Nebraska Legislature. 

Senators rejected two other attempts to modify the budget Tuesday. Sen. Ernie Chambers (Omaha) tried to reduce the $10 million in the budget for a job training program the Department of Economic Development oversees because the program has not spent much of the $15 million it received two years ago. The program helps pay for job training for private companies. But other senators argued that the job training money is a valuable part of the economic incentives Nebraska can offer, and the amendment failed on a vote of 9-27. The budget bills (LB 321-323) still must get final approval and be signed by the governor.

— Nebraska Chamber Daily Update, May 9, 2007.


Legislature passes new pseudoephedrine provisions

LINCOLN - Nebraskans could buy more sniffles-fighting medicine at one time under a bill passed Thursday by the Legislature.

Legislative Bill 218, introduced by State Sen. Carroll Burling (Kenesaw) would ease state-imposed limits on the purchase of pseudoephedrine to match federal law. The bill passed 47-0. Current state law allows people to buy 1.44 grams of pseudoephedrine per day - equal to five Claritin-D 24-hour tablets or 48 Sudafed pills.

The federal limit is more than twice as much per day - 3.6 grams - and a total of nine grams per month. Burling said LB 218 would allow for the same product packaging in Nebraska as is available elsewhere. Smaller packages increase the cost per pill. It also would be more convenient for people because they could get more medication in one trip.

Regulations on pseudoephedrine sales have been imposed to curb its use in making methamphetamine. Nebraska's limits went into effect in September 2005. The federal limits took effect the following year. Unchanged are other provisions in state and federal law that require pseudoephedrine buyers to sign a logbook and show identification. The medication is kept behind the counter. The bill was among 42 given the final legislative OK on Thursday. 

View the Omaha World Herald article.

— Martha Stoddard, Omaha World Herald, May 10, 2007.

NHA Rotunda Review is published by the Nebraska Hospital Association, 3255 Salt Creek Circle, Lincoln, NE 68504. Phone (402) 742-8140, Fax (402) 742-8191. Visit our Web site at http://www.nhanet.org. Christy Rasmussen, editor, at 402/742-8151, or email, crasmussen@nhanet.org.

Back To Main