LINCOLN- Eleven state senators, as well as a handful of rural residents who must drive hours to receive medical care, called last week for an end to the expansion of 'care deserts' in Nebraska. The coalition of senators addressing this issue argued that such deserts force families to travel further for medical care. "We can't continue at this pace," said Sen. Myron Dorn, "We have to try and find a way to stop this cycle."

To address the issue, Sen. Dorn introduced LB941 and LB942, which will be heard this week before the state's Appropriations Committee. LB941 would increase current Medicaid reimbursement rates for care at assisted-living facilities, while LB942 would appropriate funds to the Department of Health and Human Services to increase Medicaid reimbursement for nursing facility care by 5%.

Jalene Carpenter, of the Health Care Association, argued that it's important that care is adequately reimbursed so care centers can avoid closing. Sen. Dorn echoed a similar sentiment, arguing that inadequate reimbursement rates shift the cost of care onto non-Medicaid residents.

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