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Senators narrow Medicaid coverage bill for home blood-pressure monitoring to pregnancy/postpartum patients
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Summary
The Legislature adopted a committee amendment narrowing LB365 so Medicaid coverage for self-measured blood-pressure monitoring and clinical support is limited to pregnant and postpartum patients, then advanced the bill after also adjusting its effective date.
Lincoln — Lawmakers advanced a narrowed version of LB365, which would require Medicaid coverage and reimbursement for self-measured blood-pressure monitoring and clinical support services, but limited the benefit to pregnant and postpartum people.
Senator Quick, sponsor of LB365, said at-home blood-pressure monitoring and data-sharing with clinicians can identify conditions such as preeclampsia earlier and improve maternal outcomes. "Lack of coverage for clinical support services remains a barrier to the broad use of SMBP monitoring," Quick said in introduction.
The Health and Human Services Committee’s amendment AM816 restricts the benefit to pregnancy and postpartum populations to reduce the bill’s fiscal impact; proponents said this narrower scope will likely lower the general-fund cost and allow DHHS to absorb costs or leverage federal funds. When asked about the fiscal note, Quick said the unamended bill had a fiscal estimate of roughly $183,300 in total (including federal match), and that AM816 should reduce the state share substantially. He later offered AM1711 to change the bill’s effective date from Jan. 1, 2026 to Jan. 1, 2027; senators adopted that change.
Floor votes: AM816 was adopted (Clerk: 31 ayes, 3 nays). AM1711 (effective-date change) was adopted (Clerk: 36 ayes, 2 nays). The body then advanced LB365, as amended, to E & R initial (Clerk: 34 ayes, 4 nays).
Next steps: LB365 moves to the next stage where the fiscal office can produce an updated estimate on the narrowed scope. Sponsors said the measure aims to reduce maternal morbidity by improving blood-pressure monitoring and timely clinical response.
Context: Supporters cited national clinical guidelines endorsing SMBP and pointed to maternal mortality concerns; opponents sought clarity on fiscal responsibilities and targeted scope.
