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NebraskaLB958109th Legislature 1st and 2nd SessionslegislatureWALLET

Provide for implementation of a home and community-based services waiver, retroactive coverage of certain benefits, and reimbursement of doula services and change reporting requirements under the Medical Assistance Act, change provisions relating to the Nebraska Prenatal Plus Program, and provide limits for crisis assistance payments under the low-income home energy assistance program

Sponsored By: Machaela Cavanaugh

Signed by Governor

Health and Human Services Committee

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

6 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Stronger protections for Medicaid home care

Home- and community-based waiver services must be enough in amount, time, and type to meet your needs and avoid hospital or institutional care. The Department must send clear, specific notices that explain your service tier, assessment results, and how to appeal. Any cut to your tier, hours, or services gets an immediate supervisory review before it takes effect. Staff who assess you must be trained in clinical interviewing to make assessments accurate.

Easier care at school health clinics

Students on Medicaid can get covered care at school-based clinics without a primary care referral. When a federally qualified health center sponsors the clinic, it is paid at the FQHC rate for those services. This helps keep services available at school clinics.

Maximum retroactive Medicaid coverage allowed

Medicaid now provides the maximum retroactive coverage allowed by federal law as of January 1, 2026. If you qualify, recent past medical bills can be covered up to that limit. The exact time window follows that federal rule.

Medicaid will cover doula support

Medicaid will reimburse doula services no later than January 1, 2029. A stakeholder group must deliver a plan with payment rates and training rules by January 1, 2027. Doulas give non-medical support before, during, and after birth and may not diagnose or treat. The Legislature intends to fund the state share from the vital statistics subfund.

Energy help: higher eligibility, $800 cap

LIHEAP now uses 150% of the federal poverty level to decide who qualifies. Standard crisis assistance is capped at $800 per program year. The Department can approve more than $800 when you have documented extenuating circumstances.

Prenatal Plus adds services, ends 2028

Prenatal Plus now covers up to six nutrition counseling sessions, psychosocial counseling, health education, at least two breastfeeding support sessions, and targeted case management. The program ends on June 30, 2028. The Department must file an annual report each December 15 from 2024 through 2029 on mothers served, services, and outcomes.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Machaela Cavanaugh

    legislature

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 391 • No: 33

legislature vote • 4/24/2026

Vote

Yes: 43 • No: 0 • Other: 6

legislature vote • 4/24/2026

Vote

Yes: 32 • No: 11 • Other: 6

legislature vote • 4/24/2026

Vote

Yes: 32 • No: 5 • Other: 12

legislature vote • 4/24/2026

Vote

Yes: 42 • No: 0 • Other: 7

legislature vote • 4/10/2026

Final Reading

Yes: 48 • No: 1

legislature vote • 4/8/2026

Vote

Yes: 42 • No: 0 • Other: 7

legislature vote • 4/8/2026

Vote

Yes: 32 • No: 5 • Other: 12

legislature vote • 4/8/2026

Vote

Yes: 32 • No: 11 • Other: 6

legislature vote • 3/31/2026

Vote

Yes: 43 • No: 0 • Other: 6

legislature vote • 3/31/2026

Vote

Yes: 45 • No: 0 • Other: 4

Actions Timeline

  1. Presented to Governor on April 10, 2026

    4/17/2026legislature

  2. Approved by Governor on April 16, 2026

    4/17/2026legislature

  3. Dispensing of reading at large approved

    4/10/2026legislature

  4. Passed on Final Reading with Emergency Clause 48-1-0

    4/10/2026legislature

  5. President/Speaker signed

    4/10/2026legislature

  6. Enrollment and Review ER181 adopted

    4/8/2026legislature

  7. Kauth FA614 withdrawn

    4/8/2026legislature

  8. Cavanaugh, M. AM3018 withdrawn

    4/8/2026legislature

  9. Dungan AM2977 adopted

    4/8/2026legislature

  10. Spivey AM3119 adopted

    4/8/2026legislature

  11. Spivey AM3128 adopted

    4/8/2026legislature

  12. Advanced to Enrollment and Review for Engrossment

    4/8/2026legislature

  13. Placed on Final Reading with ST96

    4/8/2026legislature

  14. Enrollment and Review ST96 filed

    4/8/2026legislature

  15. Enrollment and Review ST96 recorded

    4/8/2026legislature

  16. Placed on Select File with ER181

    4/7/2026legislature

  17. Enrollment and Review ER181 filed

    4/7/2026legislature

  18. Dungan AM2977 filed

    4/7/2026legislature

  19. Spivey AM3119 filed

    4/7/2026legislature

  20. Spivey AM3128 filed

    4/7/2026legislature

  21. Cavanaugh, M. AM3018 filed

    4/1/2026legislature

  22. Health and Human Services AM2766 adopted

    3/31/2026legislature

  23. Cavanaugh, M. AM1992 withdrawn

    3/31/2026legislature

  24. Cavanaugh, M. AM2345 withdrawn

    3/31/2026legislature

  25. Advanced to Enrollment and Review Initial

    3/31/2026legislature

Bill Text

  • Introduced

    4/17/2026

    PDF

  • Enrolled / Slip Law

    PDF

  • Final / Enacted

    PDF

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