LINCOLN- Lawmakers gave first-round approval to a measure requiring the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to reimburse language translation and interpretation services for Medicaid patients who need them. The bill, LB62 introduced by Sen. Machaela Cavanaugh, was described as a "needed step to ensure everyone has the health care they need even if English is not their first language."

Cavanaugh said Thursday that her bill would provide support to providers persisting through workforce shortages, and that it directs the state government to maximize federal funding to carry out its provisions. An amendment adopted on the floor of the Legislature also indicated that the source of the reimbursements would be the Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Fund.

"This bill will require courage and ensure stability and consistency across managed care organization practices," Cavanaugh said, "which is really important for patients and providers." Speaker of the Legislature John Arch, a longtime health care administrator, said the requirement to provide services without a mechanism to find them was a "behind-the-scenes issue that has plagued the health care industry."

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