Legislative Affairs
Lobbyist Reports updated 3/22/2022
To see the latest update from our NeAHU lobbyist, Korby Gilbertson, click here. (You must log into NeAHU website to view).
Unicameral Update (updated 3/29/2021)
CLICK HERE for the latest list of bills that could potentially impact NAHU members and the insurance industry.
For more information, contact Nebraska AHU Legilative Committee chair Sam Nigro at [email protected].
COVID-19 Emergency Funding Bill
On March 25, 2020 the Legislature met for their third and final day to pass the emergency funding bill in response to the Covid 19 pandemic. The bill was passed 45-0 and signed into law by the Governor.
Included in the appropriations are:
• $38.2 million for personal protective gear and other supplies and support for local health departments;
• $13 million to maintain staffing at veterans’ homes and state Department of Health and Human Services care facilities;
• $4 million for additional staffing and overtime costs for the DHHS Division of Public Health;
• $2.5 million to the University of Nebraska Medical Center for lab equipment, software programming and personnel;
• $515,000 to UNMC to facilitate COVID-19 testing; and
• $344,000 to establish a statewide communication system to share information related to response efforts.
The bill also provides $25 million in unobligated funds to be held in reserve for unforeseen needs that may arise due to the pandemic.
While the Legislature was back in session, the Revenue Committee took the opportunity to advance their alternative tax relief plan. The new plan was placed into a “shell” bill (LB 1106). Please click here for a copy of the press release just sent out by Chairwoman Linehan. They have also placed information about how the new bill will impact each school district on their website at: http://news.legislature.ne.gov/rev/
The Legislature now stands at recess for an undetermined amount of time. When they reconvene, the Speaker has said it will be for the remaining 17 legislative days. Best estimates are that they will meet again sometime in June unless things don’t change or get worse.
Nebraska has still reported a relatively low number of positive cases of Covid 19, that number is expected to increase as more test become available. While he issued a Health Order to eliminate in-person dining at restaurants, the Governor has restated that he does not intend to close any additional businesses nor does he plan to issue a shelter in place order.
Health Care Reform
Here is an interactive timeline which gives you the ability to see the general provisions of the new health care reform regulations and the date that the regulations take effect. You can click on any of the general provisions and you will be taken to a link that will give you more detailed information about that specific provision. When you are done reading the provision, there is a link at the bottom of each page to take you back to the timeline. This timeline was developed by UNICO Group and based on documents prepared by the National Association of Health Underwriters.
Healthcare Reform Interactive Timeline (Created by UNICO Group)
Note: This is a large file (7.8 Mb)
Health Underwriters Political Action Committee (HUPAC)
Health Underwriters Political Action Committee and HUPAC contribution form.
