Rotunda Archive

April 10, 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. 

Bills of interest to NHA members advance

The following bills of interest to NHA members advanced recently. Behind each bill number and description is the bill's current status.

• LB 159 — Provide an income tax credit for long-term care insurance policy premiums
  Status: Moved to Select File
   
• LB 403 — Require verification of lawful presence in the United States for certain public benefits, public employment, contracting with public bodies, and tax incentive programs
  Status: Signed into law
   
• LB 420 — Change a sales tax exemption relating to nonprofit organizations
  Status: Moved to Select File
   
• LB 489 — Adopt the Area Health Education Centers Act
  Status: Moved to Select File
   
• LB 601 — Provide for a Medicaid waiver for community-based mental health services
  Status: Moved to Select File
  
  
   

Sales tax exemption for health clinics advanced

LINCOLN— Health care clinics owned by a single nonprofit hospital would be exempt from sales and use taxes under a bill advanced to select file April 7.

LB 420, introduced by Kearney Senator Galen Hadley, would permit nonprofit health clinics and health care practitioner facilities owned by at least one nonprofit hospital to claim sales and use tax exemption. Current statute requires that a clinic be owned by two or more hospitals or parent corporations to be eligible.

The Revenue Committee offered an amendment to the bill, adopted 35-0, that would clarify what health care entities would be exempt from sales tax. It also would define nonprofit health clinic for the purposes of the bill.

Hadley said health care clinics owned by one nonprofit hospital were once exempt but were notified by the state Department of Revenue that they are now subject to sales tax. Only one clinic in the state is owned by two or more nonprofit hospitals, Hadley said.

— Unicameral Update, April 8, 2009

 

Governor Heineman signs bill prohibiting illegal immigrants from receiving benefits

LINCOLN— On April 8, Governor Dave Heineman signed LB 403 into law. The bill prohibits illegal immigrants from receiving state and local benefits by requiring state and local governments to verify that any person applying for benefits is in the United States legally. It was introduced at the Governor’s request by Senator Russ Karpisek of Wilber.

LB 403 also requires employers who receive state or local contracts and tax incentives to electronically verify the work status of newly-hired employees using the federal E-Verify system, which is made available to employers by DHHS. No fees are charged for accessing the E-Verify database. The law takes effect October 1, 2009.

— Governor's press release, April 8, 2009
 

Med center working to be prepared for new nursing college 

NORFOLK— The Norfolk Daily News reports that officials with the University of Nebraska Medical Center "recently began seeking applicants for the director of a planned nursing college in Norfolk."

The "$12 million or so needed to build the nursing school on the Northeast Community College campus in Norfolk has almost been entirely raised through a fundraising campaign." State senators now must decide whether to approve a state appropriation yet this legislative session for operating funds. "If they do, the college could open as planned by fall 2010." The nursing school is "designed to address a shortage of trained nurses in Northeast and North Central Nebraska." Read more.

— Norfolk Daily News, April 10, 2009

 

Key lawmaker asks senators to slow spending

LINCOLN—Appropriations Chairman Lavon Heidemann is the grim reaper, according to Omaha Senator Mike Friend. He’s the guy who warns senators that their pet projects are going to die because the state has no money. But Heidemann says he doesn’t see himself as the grim reaper, but as “Mr. Reality.” And the reality is there isn’t enough money for all those pet projects.

So members of the Appropriations Committee began waving the caution flag this week, reminding their colleagues that there would not be enough money for all the pet projects in bills heading toward the finish line.

“We’ve already passed more (spending bills) than I think we’re going to be able to fund,” said Heidemann of Elk Creek, as senators advanced two bills. One would cost the state $1 million in lost income tax revenue (for a tax credit on long-term care insurance) and a second would cost about $497,500 over the next two years (to fund health education centers). Read more.

— Lincoln Journal Star, April 9, 2009

 

Is first Medicare Advantage cut a fatal blow?

WASHINGTON—No one should be surprised that the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) lowered Medicare Advantage reimbursements to health insurers this week. If there is any glimmer of good news out of the announcement, it is that CMS will cut private insurer reimbursement between 4 percent and 4.5 percent for 2010 rather than the 5 percent that was expected.

The pay cut announcement comes a month after the Obama administration implemented stricter terms for health insurers that offer Medicare Advantage. In the new regulations, health insurers will not be able to charge sick, low-income patients more than they would pay under traditional Medicare. The administration's move was a preemptive strike to prevent Medicare Advantage insurers from transferring costs onto the most vulnerable beneficiaries once the payment cuts were put into effect. Read more.

— HealthLeaders Media, April 8, 2009

 

Senator Lincoln opposes card-check bill

WASHINGTON—Senator Blanche Lincoln (Ark.) on Monday became the first Senate Democrat to oppose the card-check bill heavily backed by unions.

In a statement, Lincoln pledged to vote against legislation formally known as the Employee Free Choice Act (EFCA), which would allow workers to organize into unions more easily. She said she could not vote for the bill in its current form. Read more.

— The Hill, April 6, 2009

 

A healthy populace requires more than medical care

WASHINGTON—In the halls of Congress, most attention regarding our nation’s health focuses on reforming our health care system. But health and health care are not the same, and health reform alone won’t improve the health of all—or even most—Americans.

Consider this: For the first time in our history, the United States is raising a generation of children who may very well live shorter, sicker lives than their parents. Shocking but true.

Across the board, Americans are not nearly as healthy as we could be. That’s true of our children, too, regardless of their families’ income, education and race or ethnicity. Nationally and in every state, even children in the most advantaged families could be much healthier. Read more.

— Roll Call, April 9, 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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