Nebraska
Lawmakers seek extra federal funds to prevent closings of skilled nursing centers in Nebraska • Nebraska Examiner
LINCOLN — State lawmakers are loading up an effort to leverage millions in additional federal funds to help stem the closing of skilled nursing facilities in Nebraska.
Under an amendment being drafted for State Sen. Myron Dorn of Adams, the state would apply for higher reimbursement of patient care via the federal Hospital Quality Assurance and Access Assessment Act.
If that name sounds familiar, it’s the same program that the state is tapping to attract an additional $950 million in federal funds for hospitals to care for patients funded via Medicaid and Medicare.
Dorn said that under the amendment, Nebraska could see nearly $24 million additional funds for nursing homes in the first year, and $117 million in the second.
The extra funding comes at a time when skilled nursing and assisted living facilities are struggling, especially in rural areas. In the past three years, 12 nursing homes and 17 assisted living homes have closed in Nebraska due to lagging income and increased costs.
‘Care deserts’
The closings have left 15 of the state’s 93 counties without health care facilities of some kind, leading the Nebraska Health Care Association to label such areas “care deserts.”
“This will help keep some of our nursing homes open in rural Nebraska,” Dorn said.
Elmwood Sen. Rob Clements, who chairs the Legislature’s Appropriations Committee, said the amendment fits with a recent call from Gov. Jim Pillen to seek additional federal funds, where available, to fund services in the state.
“We’re very low (among all states) in accessing federal funds,” Clements said.
Dorn credited a fellow member of the Appropriations Committee, Sen. Christy Armendariz of Omaha, for pushing the idea. He emphasized that the funds can’t be used for assisted-living facilities.
Jalene Carpenter, president and CEO of the Health Care Association, said Pillen’s office reached out after a press conference last month about “care deserts.”
That led to discussions of increasing reimbursement via the federal quality assurance program, which Nebraska nursing homes have participated in, but not fully leveraged, for more than a decade.
Broad-based solution sought
“We’re incredibly grateful to Sen. Dorn and the governor for their work,” Carpenter said. “It gives us time to find a more broad-based solution.”
Because the filing deadlines for bills has passed for 2024, the proposal to leverage additional federal funds for nursing homes will be introduced as an amendment, and a special public hearing will be held before the Appropriations Committee.
If advanced, Dorn said the amendment would be attached to his Legislative Bill 130, another bill to help nursing homes, that has advanced to final reading.
The amendment has no fiscal impact to the state, the senator said, but nursing homes would have to meet certain criteria for improvement of care.
There’s a lot happening in the world of recruiting right now, forcing a second Tim-Bits piece this week. If you missed out on Tuesday Tim-Bits, you can check that out here, with plenty of insider intel on the latest surround Nebraska recruiting.
In this Thursday edition of Tim-Bits, we’ve got some more updates on this past weekend’s official visitors, this weekend’s official visit list, and a note on an elite 2027 cornerback and his four-star teammate.
GRAND ISLAND, Neb. (KSNB) – The need for food assistance in the Tri-Cities remains significant, but a local food drive is helping fill the gap.
The 10/11 Can Care-A-Van rolled into town this week, supporting four local organizations in their efforts to collect food donations. Among the beneficiaries was Hope Harbor, which recently faced critically low pantry supplies.
The shortage became so dire that Hope Harbor was forced to limit its pantry services — distributing one food box every three months instead of monthly. Since then, conditions have improved, and staff say community support is making a difference.
“It’s a great feeling to know that our community is here to help those that are in need,” said Jennifer Figueroa, marketing director at Hope Harbor. “We all know about Nebraska nice, and so whenever pantries or churches put out a call to action, we know they’re going to answer.”
Figueroa said the organization leaned on its donors, volunteers, and supporters to weather the challenges.
“There’s always a moment of panic or worry, but we just look at the evidence and know that we do have support here,” she said.
In addition to Hope Harbor, donations collected during the Can Care-A-Van also went to the Salvation Army, St. Mary’s Cathedral, and Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.
The drive is part of a broader effort to address food insecurity across central Nebraska as families continue to face economic pressures.
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HASTINGS, Neb. (KSNB) – Students from across the state of Nebraska were welcomed to the State Capitol on Tuesday to be recognized for their academic achievements.
Thirty three students, including one from Kearney High School, Drew Welch, were recognized at a ceremony in the State Capitol Rotunda for scoring a perfect 36 on their ACT exam.
All of the students were graduates of the class of 2025.
“The ACT ceremony represents the culmination of years and years of study,” said Gov. Jim Pillen. “The students who are here today should feel a great deal of pride in this accomplishment. To those who are taking advantage of the Presidential Scholars Program and attending school in-state – we are glad to know that you are continuing your education pathway in Nebraska and there will be many career opportunities available when you are ready to graduate. Remember, Nebraska is the safest place to raise a family. Because in Nebraska — it’s the people.”
The Presidential Scholars Program provides students who obtain a perfect score on the ACT a scholarship through the University of Nebraska Office of the President.
The scholarship covers tuition, fees, books, housing and other attendance cost, plus a $5,000 annual stipend.
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