[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6277856,"mediaKeyId","2646122-8aa01a47a378aa4c8085383902897b99","parentId",2646122,"title","Nebraska bill would seek 1115 waivers to expand pre-release Medicaid coverage, social supports for reentry","audioSeconds",1866,"startMs",2404000,"endMs",4270000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2646122-8aa01a47a378aa4c8085383902897b99&start=2404&end=4270","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2646122-8aa01a47a378aa4c8085383902897b99/thumbnail_2404000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6277856/Nebraska/Nebraska-bill-would-seek-1115-waivers-to-expand-pre-release-Medicaid-coverage-social-supports-for-reentry","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6277856-ba5dd1ad0f390b42cf591e9e1c15a2b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189626&Signature=krYjkQWQbNzEjRtUCDh7wocU-T7hgJQdqvH46GXEQfDew1Sbh8TrNx7ayUETBo-Gjd0ecg2pITwqqVLQ3KOuJE7TpVVOFsqgVNpVwnTpDX01SBTb2zk0cAZXxNEG2HlED6FHJNSBiMctvQcAI0aQdSCdg-UsVmBhXRMkCeBoJlSNHzc5-XRshYzhlXySIUECzVlWlrEPvHc0cyCaIlI9nrUtbdy3mxKy0loovxiI34an2~3COxi9vXQHoRQ3hqwtJzWjPSq9w-PJO25nUaoEXnjBAXivoG~cg9hisENvfQk1-d7kMpmRZgCnDUG7L5gT3XxQpcdtQLqW-1ApTqXFlQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Nebraska Legislature","date","2025-03-14T00:00:00Z","article","Senator George Dungan (District 26) told the Health and Human Services Committee that LB96 would direct the Department of Health and Human Services to apply for two Medicaid section 1115 demonstrations: a reentry demonstration enabling limited pre-release Medicaid enrollment (up to 90 days before release for those with known release dates) and a health-related social needs demonstration to cover short-term supports such as temporary rental assistance, food support, case management and modest technology subsidies.

Dungan framed the bills as tools to reduce recidivism, ease county jail burdens and draw down federal funds. \"By providing case management services, medication assisted treatment, a 30 day supply of necessary medications and housing support, we can ensure that individuals are set up for success when they leave our county correctional facilities,\" he said.

County and nonprofit officials backed the concept. Brad Johnson, director of the Lancaster County Department of Corrections, testified the proposal would help connect people with services, expand access to medication-assisted treatment and provide 30-day supplies of prescriptions at release. RISE and other reentry service providers described frequent gaps in housing and food that they say drive recidivism. Jasmine Harris of RISE said the organization views reentry as a crisis and asked the committee to advance the bill so providers can confidently connect clients to covered, payable services.

Supporters and sponsor emphasized fiscal dynamics. Dungan challenged the fiscal-note assumptions that implementation would require large up-front system and staffing costs and that all eligible people would fully use housing subsidies or other benefits. He said many reentry services are already provided locally and would be shifted to federal reimbursement under 1115 demonstrations. Dungan and several testifiers said reductions in recidivism and in county expenditures for jail-based treatment could offset state costs.

Committee members asked about prior state steps to enroll people in Medicaid before release and how LB96 compares with earlier statutory changes. Dungan and proponents referenced existing state statute requiring DHHS to provide enrollment assistance in certain facilities (testimony cited Nebraska statute 47-706) and described LB96 as expanding pre-release coverage timing and allowable services through an 1115 demonstration.

No formal vote occurred during the hearing. Supporters noted 1115 reentry demonstrations and health-related social needs waivers have been approved in multiple states and said technical implementation details will be determined in negotiations with CMS and by DHHS.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Health and Human Services Committee - Room 1510 3/14/2025, 2:30:00 AM","oneSentenceSummary","Sen. George Dungan introduced LB96, a measure directing DHHS to apply for two Medicaid section 1115 demonstrations that would allow pre-release Medicaid coverage and temporary health-related social supports for people leaving incarceration.","taxTitle","2025 Legislature NE, Nebraska","taxId",77675,"location","Nebraska","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6277861,"Neb. bill would keep Medicaid, CHIP active for youth detained pending adjudication",2112,254000,2366000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2646122-8aa01a47a378aa4c8085383902897b99&start=254&end=2366","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2646122-8aa01a47a378aa4c8085383902897b99/thumbnail_254000.jpg","/articles/6277861/Nebraska/Neb-bill-would-keep-Medicaid-CHIP-active-for-youth-detained-pending-adjudication","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6277861-5152de98b7690eaeafc7e3cac3fd505c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189626&Signature=DP4RolGjgT58mGENiYg~UaCuyPdd0hl7aww9zhzs0lM5vqE9bYzDwOeHZIMf3~1XpHdyG0lpvVo4yLsr-QFpc6VdU1L8M5VYHANxeRa9nIA2BYxDU~HSlAv6eMoH3Zr2P6u1IPTRS15mTiPZybua~M4w0VcAQCdzfaMiX2ywfWqgygOLnyLXddUJkFnh-wU4c3hlXZ8nNXE-781cOgEp7PC0KauEnTUTE4om-g6aylIJ54BXFsTmsCjc3wFByNsMss-TvP02ZkAXuKKaw5gHP1eqY8Meuz4ZoAt9HFg6lAL5Fnr16K3lrmH~CSwjIUq1HIISK6YW2GHG0Hky7n1zOQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Victor Rountree, sponsor of LB318, told the Health and Human Services Committee on March 18 that the bill would require the Department of Health and Human Services to seek federal approval to continue Medicaid and Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) coverage for youth detained in certain secure settings while their cases are pending. Rountree said the change responds to a new federal option that allows states to cover services for justice-involved youth pre-adjudication and follows recent federal guidance focused on screening, assessment and case management for youth leaving correctional settings.

Proponents emphasized continuity of care and county budget implications. Savanna Havsa, a practicing speech-language pathologist in Omaha, said she serves students at several alternative programs including the Douglas County Youth Center (DCYC) and called attention to the number of detained youth with identified disabilities. \"Today, over 40 percent of children in DCYC ... have identified disabilities,\" Havsa told the committee, adding that interruptions in services such as speech therapy and access to glasses can harm progress and learning.

Elaine Menzel, representing the Nebraska Association of County Officials, and Lori Harder, an independent consultant with decades of DHHS experience, also testified in support. Menzel told senators the change would help counties that now pay much of the cost for medical services provided to detained youth. In written testimony read into the record, the Lancaster County Board of County Commissioners estimated the legislation could impact more than 100 youth in Lancaster County annually and result in roughly $250,000 in county property-tax savings.

Advocacy groups highlighted operational effects. Sarah Marash, director of the Health Care Access Program at Nebraska Appleseed, explained LB318 would permit facilities to provide the full array of Medicaid and CHIP services to eligible youth while detained, invoking the federal Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment (EPSDT) standard for children on Medicaid. Anahi Salazar of Voices for Children in Nebraska testified that detained youth can wait an average of 49 days for trial at DCYC and said the bill would reduce delays in care during pre-adjudication.

Committee members asked how the bill would operate in practice. Senators pressed whether Medicaid or CHIP would remain active when youth are held, whether coverage would ease transitions on release, and whether continued coverage could reduce recidivism. Rountree and proponents said the goal is continuity — keeping coverage open to allow immediate access to prescribed medication and ongoing mental-health or developmental services and to draw down federal funds that otherwise fall to counties.

No formal action or vote was recorded during the hearing. Several speakers noted technical and implementation details would fall to DHHS and to the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services if the committee approves the state plan amendment request.

LB318 now moves to further committee consideration; a committee report or amendment was not recorded at the hearing.","Sen. Victor Rountree introduced LB318 to require the Department of Health and Human Services to seek federal authority to continue Medicaid and CHIP coverage for youth held in secure settings while awaiting adjudication, a change proponents say would improve continuity of care and reduce county costs.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6277846,"Sponsor seeks to index ADC cash assistance to inflation; HHS flags TANF balance constraints",1268,6128000,7396000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2646122-8aa01a47a378aa4c8085383902897b99&start=6128&end=7396","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2646122-8aa01a47a378aa4c8085383902897b99/thumbnail_6128000.jpg","/articles/6277846/Nebraska/Sponsor-seeks-to-index-ADC-cash-assistance-to-inflation-HHS-flags-TANF-balance-constraints","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6277846-335f59493382916ae553d91e225127fc/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189626&Signature=m1~hKnDJvt8uDyw4Ymk1ogLKFjcbrjzBbq7bxgwQz34vAmNGQir3Cnl3G9f8GaCZoQDmww6eo8xGMiphNugxG7wc9~XH8UypRGyG~oSoZsiQUhjSsBrGMFgJI37WotUsfcIa3li3fa~t8f3YZN3fDypS6i4ZIOh3GRupNwise-q-hKVQV63CWygQWYnPVDN6I2Ba4femyUBL1CECXFS0NynlN98j~OZO-UWCPQeYAOHjMp9wuP-IfwgicQLLnrdKTxcoQRKVCEYoKJcGydZ2B1juj8sO7cNfIiAFQbA2ZqBGgl-AN8uVPdcxvq8wZ7B1vHqUB9AEBmdJbx9XfW1LXw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Danielle Conrad introduced LB588 and a committee amendment to correct technical drafting issues, saying the bill aims to better tie Aid to Dependent Children (ADC) benefit levels to inflation so that the cash assistance program preserves purchasing power for very low-income families.

Conrad cited historic context and numbers showing that, because benefits have not been regularly adjusted for inflation, a three-person household that would have received the inflation-adjusted equivalent of roughly $744 in 2025 receives $552 under current law. \"When the poorest of the poor fall on hard times,\" she said, indexing benefits to inflation would help parents stabilize and pursue employment or education.

Voices for Children in Nebraska testified in support, arguing better ADC benefits can reduce child welfare involvement and promote family stability. Anahi Salazar told the committee that investments in modest cash assistance are correlated in research with lower rates of child maltreatment and foster-care entries.

John Meals, Chief Financial Officer at the Department of Health and Human Services, testified in a neutral capacity. Meals said the bill omits a specification of which inflation factor to use and how it should be applied. He also reviewed TANF funding: Nebraska receives roughly $56 million annually in federal TANF funds, and DHHS reported a TANF grant balance of approximately $113 million as of October 2024 (down from prior years). Meals told the committee that current TANF expenditure plans show spending that would deplete the grant balance by fiscal year 2028 and warned that adding ongoing inflation adjustments without identifying funding would accelerate depletion or shift costs to state General Funds.

Conrad said she will work with fiscal staff and DHHS to get updated cost estimates and that a new fiscal note would be triggered by amendment. She asked the committee to consider broader priorities and noted she would be available for follow-up discussions.","Sen. Danielle Conrad introduced LB588 proposing to tie Aid to Dependent Children (ADC/TANF) benefit levels to inflation; advocates urged passage to bolster family stability, while DHHS noted TANF balances and said the bill did not specify which inflation metric to use and requested further fiscal analysis.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6277851,"Bill to auto-enroll SNAP children into Medicaid/CHIP clears initial hearing with backers citing cost, coverage gains",2906,3200000,6106000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2646122-8aa01a47a378aa4c8085383902897b99&start=3200&end=6106","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2646122-8aa01a47a378aa4c8085383902897b99/thumbnail_3200000.jpg","/articles/6277851/Nebraska/Bill-to-auto-enroll-SNAP-children-into-MedicaidCHIP-clears-initial-hearing-with-backers-citing-cost-coverage-gains","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6277851-b4faaeab7b28502e7a7280b997d6da7f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771189626&Signature=EkbvdixGiAwjUxkZcEKj1BiqYHP2bytBQP59RU1igFOghdBPe5dDwtcaqf1d41oAew4GR5CYmA2CxIxmxLImAMa5VNFDAlzlxjEkCuDzBMWpw2nJvd7R15l6fy-j9CGF3JXyGeenfNJUJCyzl07fo4Gdetsq3kBsoDS9RlU2KHHq1~BDxsgMpMLtIXSyqIKZ04v7pM1B~MnD1ClZcby8cV7vWHaGWHAf2SvhkrL7vmKstZ96EeOz9SKPd-MwfNvRY3eJw0Db87N7aXEBm10iF3oclX6CU3DdM7fdRuK0itvSThRKOD0kdgIMnlLENSKAlmfFyMUMoxnnkv1Kg7Xc1g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Senator Spivey told the Health and Human Services Committee LB283 would let Nebraska implement express lane eligibility (ELE), an option that uses SNAP (food-assistance) data to automatically enroll or renew children in Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) when the federal and state eligibility align. \"It reduces administrative burdens on families, health care providers, and state agencies by simplifying the enrollment and renewal processes,\" Spivey said.

Proponents told the committee automatic enrollment can reduce coverage churn and administrative expenses. Garrett Swanson of the Holland Children's Movement and Trevor Toteve of OpenSky Policy Institute cited studies and federal audits that show administrative savings and coverage improvements in states that implemented ELE, and argued the state had addressed past data-integration obstacles by upgrading its IServ portal.

Health providers and advocates described practical benefits. Amy Behnke of the Health Center Association of Nebraska said center navigators spend substantial staff time resolving paperwork issues; streamlined automatic enrollment would reduce repeated documentation requests and help children get timely primary care. Edison McDonald of The Arc of Nebraska argued people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families face complicated, duplicative paperwork across divisions and would benefit from simplified data sharing.

The department provided a neutral comment; Spivey said DHHS asked that the bill's effective date be amended from Jan. 1, 2026, to Jan. 1, 2027, to allow time for technical work and audit safeguards. Committee members asked whether the state could already do this through existing administrative changes; proponents said nothing in statute prevents DHHS from taking this step but codifying the approach and using the ELE model offers proven cost savings and an automatic renewal pathway that reduces procedural disenrollments.

No formal committee vote occurred at the hearing. Sponsors and backers urged the committee to advance LB283 so DHHS can proceed with a tested approach to reduce uninsured children and lower administrative costs.","Sen. Spivey introduced LB283 to implement express lane eligibility (ELE), allowing SNAP data to be used to automatically enroll and renew Medicaid/CHIP coverage for eligible children; supporters said the change would reduce coverage churn, administrative costs and barriers for families.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Nebraska bill would seek 1115 waivers to expand pre-release Medicaid coverage, social supports for reentry

Neb. bill would keep Medicaid, CHIP active for youth detained pending adjudication

Sponsor seeks to index ADC cash assistance to inflation; HHS flags TANF balance constraints

Bill to auto-enroll SNAP children into Medicaid/CHIP clears initial hearing with backers citing cost, coverage gains