LINCOLN- Nebraska hospitals could reap an additional $950 million in federal funds — money that could be used to improve services and help hold down medical bills — under a new proposal. The idea, contained in LB1087, was described as a “game changer” and “win-win” proposition by state hospital officials to help deal with high inflation and low reimbursement rates.

Under the Hospital Quality Assurance and Access Assessment Act, Nebraska would seek to join 44 other states in obtaining higher reimbursement for Medicaid and Medicare patients in exchange for seeking to improve the quality of care. Under Sen. Mike Jacobson's LB1087 the reimbursement rate for Medicaid and Medicare would be over 90% of the actual cost, Jacobson said, while not requiring any more state general funds. It would also help hold private insurance costs down, he said.

Representatives of the Nebraska Hospital Association, which sought the bill, said it comes at a time when health care facilities are struggling with inflation and below-cost reimbursement rates that have forced some hospitals, especially those in rural areas, to eliminate or reduce needed services — services such as maternal care, behavioral health and home health.

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