Bill to restore $500,000 for community health centers draws broad support
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Summary
Senator John Frederickson’s LB858 seeks to restore $500,000 to Nebraska’s federally qualified health centers using a transfer from the health care cash fund; FQHC leaders warned slender operating margins and rising costs make the restoration important to maintain dental care and services for uninsured patients.
Senator John Frederickson introduced LB858 to restore $500,000 in funding for Nebraska’s federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) that was reduced in last year’s budget. Frederickson said funding would come from the health care cash fund and would support dental access and care for uninsured patients without impacting the general fund.
Amy Bienke, CEO of the Health Center Association of Nebraska, testified in strong support, describing FQHCs as community‑based safety‑net clinics operating across seven community health center organizations and 85 service locations. Bienke said centers faced shrinking operating margins (cited as 2% in 2024) and rising costs per patient, and that some centers had already cut staff or reduced hours. She urged the committee to increase transfers from the tobacco settlement into the health care cash fund to restore the prior funding level.
Witnesses said FQHCs provide medical, dental, behavioral health and supportive services and that nearly one-third of patients are uninsured; providers absorb sliding‑fee discounts that total roughly $30 million annually. Frederickson and proponents argued the $500,000 request is a modest investment that supports prevention, reduces downstream hospital costs, and preserves access in rural communities.
No opponents testified; the record included 27 proponent position comments.
