Senators protect special‑needs long‑term care patients from managed‑care disruption

The Legislature advanced LB 10‑91 after the Health and Human Services committee adopted a technical amendment. The bill removes a narrow but medically complex population from Medicaid managed care and keeps their skilled nursing and specialized services in a fee‑for‑service delivery system, a change sponsors said will preserve continuity of care and specialized provider relationships.

Senator Bostar and Senator Hardin (floor sponsor/committee supporter) emphasized the bill affects a small subset — fewer than 150 Medicaid beneficiaries — but those patients require highly specialized and continuous care that managed‑care utilization management has not reliably provided. The committee amendment clarified that the department may still coordinate non‑nursing benefits through MCOs but may not shift financial risk or utilization control for those patients.

Senators from both parties — including those who toured state specialized providers — urged passage. "When the right care is provided at the right time, outcomes improve and long‑term costs decrease," Senator Prokop said, citing QLI's outcomes for patients who regain independence. The measure was advanced to E & R initial with no recorded opposition in committee and a unanimous floor committee‑amendment adoption.

Next steps: The bill proceeds through enrollment and review; sponsors said Department of Health and Human Services will be responsible for contract and regulatory updates to reflect the change without increasing general‑fund costs above what managed care would have spent.

Quote: "This bill makes a straightforward declaration that complex medical needs populations should stay out of the managed care world permanently," Senator Hardin said.