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This week I would like to begin sharing with you portions of LB227 which requires the state Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to provide Medicaid reimbursement to a hospital at 100% of the statewide average nursing facility per diem rate if a Medicaid enrollee has been admitted as an inpatient to the hospital; is eligible for discharge after receiving care in such hospital; requires a nursing facility level of care upon discharge; and is unable to be transferred to a nursing facility due to a lack of available beds or requires a public guardian but one is unable to be appointed. This bill was the Health and Human Services Committee priority bill and ended up having over 20 bills amended into it. Over the next several weeks, I will be sharing what is in this bill.
Update from Governor Pillen’s office
On Friday, August 25th, Governor Pillen announced that payments to Nebraska cattle producers who have suffered weather-related losses, will be compensated at a higher rate. Governor Pillen thanked Secretary of Agriculture Tom Vilsack for answering his call to boost the livestock Indemnity Program (LIP) payment rate, in response to his urgent request on behalf of Nebraska cattle producers.
As a result of the adjustment, the LIP payment increased from $1,244 per head to $1,618, an increase of $374 per head, The LIP is administered by the U. S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Farm Service Agency (FSA). It provides assistance to producers who experience excessive livestock losses, usually due to adverse weather events.
The updated LIP payment rate is effective immediately and will be applied retroactively to January 1, 2023, for all eligible causes of loss including excessive heat, tornado, winter storms, and other qualifying adverse weather events. Producers who have already received LIP payments for losses this calendar year will receive an additional payment, if applicable, commensurate with the updated rate. Details about eligibility and payment rates are available on the most recent LIP fact sheet.
Governor Pillen continues to urge producers to do their part and report losses to their county FSA offices. Losses that occurred within the past month should be reported as soon as possible. A notice of loss is required to be documented and reported to the local FSA within 30 days of the loss becoming apparent.
“While there is no way to get a complete accounting of how many cattle were lost this summer, this rate increase will go a long way toward helping producers recover,” said Governor Pillen. “At the time this weather event occurred, animals were ready for market, which means they were more valuable. Owners are deserving of a higher rate of compensation.” (Strimple, Laura. “USDA Answers Gov. Pillen’s Call to Boost Producer LIP Payment Rate.” Governor Pillen Press Release. 25 August, 2023. https://governor.nebraska.gov/press/usda-answers-gov-pillen%E2%80%99s-call-boost-producer-lip-payment-rate. Accessed 30 August, 2023.)
As always, I invite you to let me know your thoughts, ideas, concerns, or suggestions by calling my office at (402) 471-2716 or emailing me at jalbrecht@leg.ne.gov.
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