 |
 |
 |
|
&q
Alert: Nebraska Unicameral to address prenatal care This message is to alert you to a proposed Nebraska legislative bill, LB1110, which could significantly impact your hospital. Below is an outline of the bill’s intent, and how you can take action to voice your concerns about the bill. What is the bill? LB 1110 State programs affected? Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Background: On November 30, 2009 The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services notified the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services that DHHS had erroneously awarded Medicaid coverage to thousands of women. This decision mostly impacted women who are not American citizens, who received their eligibility based on the assumed eligibility of their unborn child, an American citizen if born in the United States. Federal regulations do not recognize unborn children as persons eligible for Medicaid. The decision also affected women who are American citizens. DHHS had included the unborn child as a member of the mother’s household for purposes of establishing eligibility according to federal poverty guidelines. Once the unborn child was discounted as a member of the mother’s household, many family incomes exceeded the guidelines. Hospitals could still be reimbursed for costs related to delivery and medical emergencies related to the pregnancy, but thousands of women lost access to prenatal care. Impact of proposed law: LB 1110 would allow the Department of Health and Human Services to reimburse hospitals for prenatal services delivered to low-income women by establishing a separate state program solely for mothers ineligible for Medicaid. Impact to Nebraska hospitals: LB 1110 will re-establish a payor source for prenatal services for low-income women. If LB 1110 does not pass hospitals will only be reimbursed for services related to delivery, and medical emergencies related to a mother’s pregnancy. Eligibility would be income-based (no more than 185% of federal poverty guidelines) and would not cover medical issues separate to the mother and unrelated to pregnancy. Next Steps: LB 1110 advanced out of committee with amendments to General File. This means the full Unicameral will debate the bill and consider the amendments offered by senators. A majority of senators must vote for LB 1110 for it to advance to the next stage of the legislative process, Enrollment & Review and Select File. What can you do? Contact your state Senator and tell them you support passage of LB 1110. Governor Heineman has stated his intention to veto LB 1110 so the Unicameral will need a three-fifths majority (30 Senators) to ensure passage. You can find your state Senator at this link: http://www.nebraskalegislature.gov/senators/senator_find.php You can also contact the Nebraska Hospital Association to voice your support of LB 1110. Contact Bruce Rieker, Vice President – Advocacy, (402) 742-8146. This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . If you have any questions regarding this memo, please contact: Bob Zender, Client Development Executive
|
