Rotunda Archive

April 3, 2009

The Nebraska Hospital Association – Nebraska's influential voice for health care.

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 Cora Micek, Advocacy Coordinator, at (402) 742-8153 or cmicek@nhanet.org. 

Nebraska hospitals advocate for health care at Advocacy Day

LINCOLN—On Tuesday, March 31, more than 130 hospital representatives gathered at the Cornhusker Marriott in Lincoln to learn about legislation that could impact health care delivery in Nebraska.

During the day's program, hosted by the Nebraska Hospital Association (NHA), Governor Heineman remarked on the challenging economic forecast for the state. Though Nebraska is not immune to the economic downturn, the Governor said that we are better prepared, as we currently hold the largest cash reserve in Nebraska's history. He predicts that there will be three to four tough years ahead for our state, and urges Nebraska businesses to be prepared.

Governor Heineman identified education as a top priority and relayed that he intends to accept 99 percent of the $1.2 billion allocated to Nebraska as part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, using the majority of those funds to assist with the creation of more jobs.

Rhonda Hawk, President of the Hawks Foundation was joined by  Steve Wengel, M.D. and Susan Boust, M.D. of UNMC in providing an overview of behavioral health reform, including the intent and mandates of LB 1083 and an update on Lasting Hope Recovery Center.

AHA Regional Executive Paul Muraca provided a federal update and discussed issues such as the Employee Free Choice Act, health reform, CHIP, economic recovery and the federal budget.

Pamela Bataillon, Assistant Dean of Administration at UNMC, discussed workforce shortage issues, including the declining number of faculty, along with initiatives to address those challenges in Nebraska.

Bruce Rieker, NHA Vice President, Advocacy, presented an update on Nebraska's budget and legislative bills of interest to NHA members and shared the association's position on each bill.

Cora Micek outlined tips for effective advocacy, the key messages for health care advocates to discuss with their senators at the legislative luncheon. The messages centered on health care workforce shortage, community benefits and Nebraska's budget.

On behalf of the American Hospital Association, Laura J. Redoutey, FACHE, NHA President, presented Glenn Fosdick, President and CEO of The Nebraska Medical Center the 2008 Political Action Committee (PAC) Most Valuable PAC Player award. The award recognizes individuals who have put forth an extraordinary effort on behalf of PAC fundraising to help make state and federal PAC goals a tremendous success.

Community Hospital in McCook was recognized by the Nebraska Hospital Association as the 2008 Advocacy Team of the Year. The award was presented to Jim Ulrich, administrator. The award recognizes their outstanding advocacy achievements on a local, state and national level. Community Hospital has been a leader in the promotion of critical access hospital issues at both the state and federal level. In 2008, CEO Jim UIrich and his knowledgeable team of officers, physicians and nurses are in regular contact with their elected officials, including Senator Mark Christensen, Congressman Smith and U.S. Senators Johanns and Nelson, advocating for Nebraska’s hospitals and other health care related legislation.

Following the morning workshop, nearly 200 people, including 35 of Nebraska's senators, attended a Legislative Luncheon to discuss important health care issues including health care workforce shortage, community benefits and Nebraska's budget and provider reimbursement.

NHA thanks the following Advocacy Day sponsors:

Premier Affiliate Sponsor
LaMair-Mulock-Condon Co.

Platinum Affiliate Sponsor
HDR Architect

Champion Sponsor
Baird Holm Law Firm

Legislative Luncheon Sponsors
Alegent Health
Creighton University Medical Center
The MMIC Group
The Nebraska Medical Center
Pinpoint Communications
Visions in Architecture

Contributor Sponsors
Cada, Frocheiser, Cada & Hoffman
Humana
Friends of Nebraska Nonprofit Hospitals
Knudsen, Berkheimer, Richardson & Endacott, LLP
Nebraska Relay
Ruth Mueller Robak

Coffee Break Sponsor
Radcliffe & Associates

If you would like to receive a copy of any NHA Advocacy Day presentations or key messages, contact Kelley Porter, Director of Communications, at (402) 742-8151 or by email.


 

Committee deals a blow to eliminating sales tax exemptions

LINCOLN— An Omaha state senator will get his debate on doing away with sales tax exemptions -- but legislative action Thursday makes it harder for the idea to become law. The Legislature's Revenue committee, on 8-0 votes, killed two bills by Omaha Senator Rich Pahls that were designed to review and do away the growing list of sales tax exemptions. The two bills faced a wave of opposition from business, farm, church and local government lobbyists, who said it would cause chaos in the state’s tax system. But Pahls says he still will get a debate in the full Legislature by asking senators to override the kill votes and resurrect his proposals. To revive a bill and pull it from committee takes at least 30 votes.

Pahls said he’s gotten overwhelmingly positive response from the public to his ideas. He said too many things are exempt from sales taxes, which prevents government from lowering property taxes and fees.

— Omaha World-Herald, April 3, 2009
 

SCHIP eligibility expansion advances 

LINCOLN— More children would be eligible for the State Children’s Health Insurance Program (SCHIP) under a bill receiving first-round approval April 2. LB 136, introduced by Lincoln Sen. Bill Avery, would raise the eligibility level for the program from 185 percent of the federal poverty level to 200 percent. Furthermore, the bill would change the timeline for eligibility re-evaluations from six months, with monthly checks thereafter, to an annual process. Read more.

— Unicameral Update, April 3, 2009

 

Bill would extend insurance age limit

LINCOLN—Legislators advanced a bill April 1 that would allow families to continue providing health insurance for children over 23 years of age. Currently, insurance policies must contain a provision that coverage may include any children younger than 23 years old. LB 551, introduced by Omaha Senator Tom White, would increase the age to 30 if a child is unmarried and meets other criteria. Read more.

— Unicameral Update, April 2, 2009

 

House, Senate pass budget resolutions

WASHINGTON—The House and Senate last night voted 233-190 and 55-43, respectively, to pass fiscal year 2010 budget resolutions that contain a deficit-neutral reserve fund for future health care reform legislation. Unlike the Senate version, the House resolution includes AHA-opposed reconciliation instructions, a fast-track process that limits debate on a bill and requires a simple majority vote for passage. Among other differences, the Senate resolution requires that the cost of fixing the Medicare physician payment formula be accomplished in a budget-neutral manner, while the House version allows the cost to be added to the deficit. Differences between the two resolutions must be reconciled in conference after Congress returns to session April 20. The budget resolution sets the parameters for congressional spending.

— AHA News Now, April 3, 2009

 

Nelson, Johanns say size of budget must be controlled

WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Ben Nelson, D-Neb., said he will fight any effort to turn the proposed 2010 federal budget into a reconciliation process for either cap-and-trade or health care reform.

In his budget, President Obama has proposed a cap-and-trade program to pay for health care reforms. It would impose a new tax on all emissions, such as coal-fired electrical generation plants like the one that provides power to Grand Island.

Both Nelson and U.S. Senator Mike Johanns, R-Neb., opposed budget reconciliation. Read more.

— Grand Island Independent, April 2, 2009
 

AHA Annual Membership Meeting


Join your colleagues April 26–29 in Washington, D.C., at the 2009 AHA Annual Membership Meeting to hear the latest on the forces buffeting health care, and to take hospitals’ message to Capitol Hill. The agenda includes prominent keynote speakers such as former Nightline host Ted Koppel, former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. David Satcher and former Secretary of State James Baker ... executive briefings on important health care topics, an opportunity to earn ACHE credits … and more!
 

For more information about health-related legislative bills or resolutions, contact: Bruce Rieker, Vice President, Advocacy, at (402) 742-8146 or brieker@nhanet.org or Cora Micek, Advocacy Coordinator, at (402) 742-8153 or cmicek@nhanet.org.

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. Kelley Porter, editor, at (402) 742-8151, or email, kporter@nhanet.org.

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