Health and Human Services Committee
February 27, 2025
Committee Chair: Sen. Senator Brian Hardin | Bills Heard: 5 | Full Transcript (PDF)
LB486: Standardize reimbursement rates for personal care service providers under the Aged and Disabled Waiver Program
Introduced by: Sen. Dan Quick | Testimony: 4 proponents, 0 opponents, 0 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Standardized pay for home care workers could level playing field but raises budget questions. LB486 would replace individual rate negotiations with standardized reimbursement for personal care providers serving elderly and disabled Nebraskans at home. Providers testified that current system creates unfair disparities—some agencies receive $5-6 more per hour than established companies for identical work—driving caregiver turnover and limiting access to care.
Why it matters: Keeping people in their homes costs the state far less than institutional care ($35-90K annually vs. $230K for nursing homes). But a fiscal note showing $86-88 million in costs—far higher than the $6-8 million proponents expected—raised red flags about implementation feasibility during tight budget times.
What they're saying: - Proponents: "Standardized rates are common in other states and would let us compete on quality, not just price" (Caretech CEO). "We're losing caregivers to competitors paying $6 more per hour." - Committee concern: How do we fund this when the governor wants only 1% increases and we're facing budget constraints?
By the numbers: Current rates range from $26-48/hour for identical services. The 2022 rate study recommended $43.63/hour. Neighboring states already use standardized schedules.
What's next: No vote taken. Committee will likely seek clarification on the inflated fiscal note before advancing the bill.
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. Meyer, Sen. Ballard Skeptical: Sen. Hardin Unclear: Sen. Riepe
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
LB446: Improve access to maternal and child health data for researchers and quality improvement collaboratives
Introduced by: Sen. Dunixi Guereca | Testimony: 5 proponents, 1 opponents, 1 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Bill would unlock Nebraska's own maternal health data for researchers, ending reliance on outdated federal database. LB446 codifies access to vital statistics for researchers and quality improvement organizations, addressing a persistent frustration: Nebraska researchers must request their own state's data from the CDC, which is 2-3 years behind. The bill makes three changes: clarify researcher application process, allow quality improvement collaboratives access to aggregate data, and require annual dashboard updates.
Why it matters: Timely data drives better health outcomes. Researchers identified rising congenital syphilis rates through data analysis, leading to LB41 (syphilis screening bill). Without current state data, Nebraska lags in identifying and responding to maternal health crises. The data is already collected and sent to CDC; the bill simply ensures the state keeps and shares its own information.
What they're saying: - Proponents: "We're asking for data we already have. Legal concerns are overblown—this is aggregate data with no personal health information." (UNMC researcher) - DHHS concern: Need clear definition of what qualifies as a "statewide quality improvement collaborative."
By the numbers: Current CDC data is 2-3 years old. Dashboard was created in summer 2024 but lacks statutory protection. Statute was last updated in 1993.
What's next: No vote taken. Committee may consider amendment defining "quality improvement collaborative" before advancing bill.
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. Fredrickson, Sen. Ballard, Sen. Meyer Skeptical: Sen. Hansen, Sen. Hardin
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
LB463: Require schools to develop cardiac emergency response plans and provide AED funding
Introduced by: Sen. Beau Ballard | Testimony: 6 proponents, 0 opponents, 2 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Emotional testimony from cardiac arrest survivors drives push for school AED requirements and training. LB463 would mandate cardiac emergency response plans in all Nebraska schools and provide $1.5 million in grants to purchase AEDs and implement training. Powerful testimony from families whose children survived cardiac arrest—thanks to quick CPR and nearby AEDs—made the case that preparedness saves lives.
Why it matters: Cardiac arrest kills 23,000 children annually in the U.S. Survival rates jump from under 10% to 70% when schools have plans and AEDs. Every minute without defibrillation reduces survival by 10%. Kansas and other neighboring states already require this.
What they're saying: - Proponents: "My son is alive because someone knew CPR and an AED was nearby. Every school needs this." (Survivor's mother) - Schools: "We're already doing much of this. Grants help, but ongoing maintenance is the real cost burden."
By the numbers: 23,000 children experience cardiac arrest outside hospitals annually; 40% are sports-related. Project ADAM has helped 225 Nebraska schools achieve Heart-Safe status, protecting 112,000 students. AEDs cost $1,500-3,000. Survival rates: 90% with AED vs. 48% without.
What's next: No vote taken. Committee may address concerns about duplication with existing regulations and the 3-minute AED accessibility requirement before advancing.
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. Riepe, Sen. Ballard, Sen. Fredrickson, Sen. Meyer Skeptical: Sen. Hansen
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
LB379: Reduce TANF cash assistance time limit from 60 months to 36 months
Introduced by: Sen. Bob Andersen | Testimony: 1 proponents, 4 opponents, 0 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Emotional testimony from poverty survivors clashes with bill to cut welfare time limits. LB379 would reduce TANF cash assistance from 60 months to 36 months (with amendment), arguing that's enough time to train and find work. But opponents—including people who used TANF to escape poverty—testified that the bill ignores the real problem: people are already working but earning too little to support families.
Why it matters: TANF already has strict work requirements (20-30 hours/week). The question isn't whether people want to work—most do. It's whether 36 months is realistic for someone healing from domestic violence, managing childcare costs ($1,400/month for infant care), and completing meaningful training in rural areas with few jobs.
What they're saying: - Proponents: "TANF should be temporary. 36 months is enough time to complete training and find work." (FGA Action) - Opponents: "I received $200-300/month. Even with free housing and a car, I couldn't have finished my degree in 36 months." (Former ADC participant who now has bachelor's degree)
By the numbers: Only 2,849 families received ADC in January 2025. Standard of need: $843/month for family of 2. Infant childcare: ~$1,400/month. TANF benefits: $808/month maximum for family of 8. Current sanctions: 1 month loss (first), 3+ months (second), 1 year minimum (third).
What's next: No vote taken. Committee heard concerns about whether time limits address wage insufficiency and whether 36 months is realistic for people in crisis.
Committee sentiment: Supportive: Sen. Meyer, Sen. Quick Skeptical: Sen. Fredrickson, Sen. Hansen Unclear: Sen. Riepe, Sen. Ballard
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
LB656: Remove exemptions from SNAP work requirements and mandate employment and training participation
Introduced by: Sen. Bob Andersen | Testimony: 1 proponents, 6 opponents, 0 neutral | Read bill text (PDF)
Bill to tighten SNAP work requirements faces fierce opposition from rural communities and disability advocates. LB656 would eliminate state waivers from federal SNAP work requirements and mandate participation in employment training for 14,000 able-bodied adults. Proponents argue it's time to close loopholes; opponents say it ignores reality: most SNAP recipients already work, and rural areas lack jobs to meet requirements.
Why it matters: Nebraska uses waivers sparingly (477 of 81,000 available in FY23), but they're critical for rural counties like Thurston (18.8% food insecurity—72.5% above national average). Removing flexibility would harm communities where jobs are scarce and transportation is limited. DHHS said it's not ready to implement mandatory training statewide.
What they're saying: - Proponents: "23,200 able-bodied Nebraskans are exempt from work requirements. With record low unemployment, we need all workers." (FGA Action) - Opponents: "My daughter has epilepsy and can't work reliably. She was denied a waiver despite a doctor's letter. This bill removes the flexibility to help people like her." (Mother)
By the numbers: 49% of SNAP recipients already work. 44 of 50 states use voluntary-only E&T programs. 18 states have moved away from mandatory E&T. Fiscal note: $5.2 million, requiring 35 new DHHS staff. Current E&T reaches 400 of 14,000 eligible (3%).
What's next: No vote taken. Committee heard concerns about rural impact, disability accommodations, and whether mandatory training is cost-effective.
Committee sentiment: Skeptical: Sen. Fredrickson, Sen. Hansen, Sen. Riepe Unclear: Sen. Ballard, Sen. Meyer
Sentiment estimated from questions and comments — not stated positions.
Session Notes
Committee Chair Hardin opened with procedural announcements and committee member introductions. The committee heard six bills in the following order: LB486 (personal care reimbursement rates), LB446 (maternal health data access), LB463 (school cardiac emergency plans), LB379 (TANF time limits), and LB656 (SNAP work requirements). Online testimony was recorded for each bill. The hearing concluded with executive session announcement.
Generated by NE Wire Service | Source: Nebraska Legislature Transcribers Office This is an AI-generated summary. Verify all claims against the official transcript.