This bill amends various sections of the Revised Statutes to enhance the Medical Assistance Act, particularly focusing on home and community-based services, retroactive coverage, and the reimbursement of doula services. Key provisions include the establishment of a home and community-based services waiver, new reporting requirements for the Nebraska Prenatal Plus Program, and the formation of a work group to develop an implementation plan for doula services. The Department of Health and Human Services is mandated to ensure that employees administering assessment tools for waiver participants receive training in clinical interviewing techniques and to communicate eligibility determinations to participants in a timely manner.

Additionally, the bill removes the termination date for the Nebraska Prenatal Plus Program, allowing it to continue, and specifies that eligible services will include at least two breastfeeding support sessions. It modifies the eligibility criteria for the low-income home energy assistance program to set a household total annual income level at 150% of the federal poverty level. The bill also introduces crisis assistance payments of up to $800 per program year, with provisions for exceeding this amount under special circumstances. Some sections of the bill will take effect immediately due to an emergency declaration, while others will become operative three months after the legislative session adjourns. Several original sections of the Revised Statutes are repealed as part of this update.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 68-901, 68-907
Final Reading: 68-901, 68-908, 68-1215
Slip Law: 68-901, 68-908, 68-1215