Committee advances bill to expand Medicaid coverage in Nebraska; filibuster likely

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.livewellnebraska.com/consumer/committee-advances-bill-to-expand-medicaid-coverage-in-nebraska-filibuster/article_df242387-c093-5059-be68-a6dc84353c29.html

Posted: Tuesday, March 10, 2015 4:00 pm
By Joe Duggan / World-Herald Bureau

LINCOLN — Nebraska lawmakers will debate for the third year in a row a proposal to provide Medicaid coverage to 54,000 currently uninsured Nebraskans.

The Health and Human Services Committee voted 5-2 Tuesday to advance a bill that will expand Medicaid coverage using funds from the Affordable Care Act.

Legislative Bill 472 almost certainly will face a filibuster, which killed the two previous attempts to pass a similar measure. The bill faces additional opposition from Gov. Pete Ricketts.

Called the Medicaid Redesign Act, the bill also would create a task force charged with improving the cost effectiveness and quality of the state Medicaid program.

FULL story at link.