Nebraska Hospital Association

04/13/2026

Today feels like summer, a reminder that the Nebraska Rural Health Conference is coming up fast. Be sure to sign up for our pre-conference session Strengthening Your Hospital and Community Through Rural Research: Relationships, Resources, Results offered by the University of Nebraska Medical Center - UNMC's Greater Nebraska Rural Research Network initiative.

Learn how rural research improves the bottom line, enhances staff satisfaction, and benefits rural communities June 8th from 10:00am-4:00pm.

Register for the full conference plus pre-conference add-on today: https://loom.ly/xXujct4

04/10/2026

Today, the Nebraska Legislature voted to protect patients and providers, rejecting efforts to eliminate Medicaid retroactive eligibility coverage by passing LB 958 with an emergency clause.

"We are grateful for the leadership of Senator Machaela Cavanaugh, Health and Human Services Chair Senator Brian Hardin, members of the Health and Human Services and Appropriations committees, and Speaker Senator John Arch, who all played an important role in fighting for health care access for Nebraskans," said Jeremy Nordquist, President and CEO of the Nebraska Hospital Association.

The move comes after months of advocacy from health care providers and patient advocates who argued that eliminating retroactive coverage would disproportionately affect rural hospitals, spell financial disaster for families, and create a hidden tax on every Nebraskan.

04/09/2026

More than 175 incredible nurse leaders are gathered in Kearney today for the 2026 Nebraska Nursing Leadership Conference. Now in its third year and with record setting attendance, this event brings together those in our most trusted profession to continue to build their skillsets and connect and learn from each other.

Thank you to our partner organizations CHI Health, Heartland Health Alliance, Nebraska Organization for Nursing Leadership, Nebraska State Office of Rural Health, and Rural Nebraska Healthcare Network for making this such an incredible event!

04/08/2026

Medicaid is changing in Nebraska. Our state is moving ahead of schedule to become the first state in the country to implement new work requirements. With Nebraska’s enforcement set to begin May 1st, the Nebraska Hospital Association has launched a dedicated website to help residents navigate these changes and maintain their health care coverage.

The new platform, MedicaidNebraska.com, provides clear, simple guidance in both English and Spanish to ensure current enrollees and new applicants understand the new verification requirements.

It’s important to take action now to understand what’s changing, who’s affected, and what you should do right now to stay covered.

04/07/2026

Hospitals are facing rising administrative costs tied to commercial insurer requirements that add complexity to delivering and paying for care. In 2025, hospitals spent nearly $18 billion on overturning claims denials alone. The American Hospital Association estimates that hospitals spent a staggering $43 billion in 2025 trying to collect payments insurers owe for care already delivered.

Prior authorization, claims denials, repeated documentation requests, and evolving billing and coverage rules require hospitals to staff large billing, coding, utilization management, and appeals teams, while also pulling doctors and nurses away from direct patient care to complete forms, peer-to-peer reviews, and medical necessity documentation.

04/06/2026

Make a difference every day with a job in health care. Learn about exciting careers in health care, educational programs, and how to prepare for a meaningful future. Resources are available to help find the support and information you need on your health care career journey at NEHealthCareers.com.

Nebraska Center for Nursing

04/03/2026

The NHA Workforce Team met with University of Nebraska Medical Center - UNMC Norfolk and Northeast Community College nurse leaders to tour their simulation lab space and the simulation equipment provided by LB 227 to give students and nurses hands on training. Both colleges participate in the Shared Clinical Model, supporting hospital Nurse Clinical Practice Instructors through mentorship. This model has facilitated new academic and clinical partnerships and is getting clinical students more rural experience in Critical Access Hospital settings.

Nebraska Center for Nursing

04/02/2026

Last chance to take advantage of our Buy One, Get One 50% off registration for the 2026 Rural Health Conference! Be sure to join us at the Younes Conference Center North in Kearney June 8-10th.

The Nebraska Rural Health Conference brings us together to share ideas, explore solutions, and learn about critical topics including workforce development, operations, community health, research, public policy, and more.

🎟️BOGO 1/2 off available now through April 3, 2026.
🔗 Register here: https://loom.ly/xXujct4

04/01/2026

John Kozyra from Avera St. Anthony's Hospital made the rounds at the Capitol yesterday, advocating for patients and providers in support of Medicaid retroactive coverage.

Thank you Senator Barry DeKay, Senator John Fredrickson, Senator Beau Ballard, and Senator Merv Riepe for taking the time to hear the concerns of your constituents.

You don't have to visit the state capitol to make your voice heard. Visit the NHA Action Center today.

🔗https://loom.ly/7xpBccw

03/31/2026

Key vote alert! LB 958 advanced unanimously from General File today. We are grateful for the leadership of Senator Machaela Cavanaugh, Health and Human Services Chair Senator Brian Hardin, members of the Health and Human Services and Appropriations committees, and Speaker Senator John Arch who all played an important role in fighting for health care access for Nebraskans.

But the work is not done yet. We have two more rounds of debate as the final days of session wind down. Continue to make your voice heard on this issue and more at the NHA Action Center.

🔗https://www.nebraskahospitals.org/advocacy/take-action-now

03/31/2026

Senator Machaela Cavanaugh’s amended priority bill LB 958 is on the floor for debate today. If passed with an emergency clause, the bill will negate the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services application for an 1115 Waiver to completely eliminate retroactive eligibility - including for the disabled, children, and pregnant women.

Help protect Nebraska’s patients and providers, children and families.

Visit the NHA Action Center and tell your State Senator to support LB 958: https://loom.ly/NJAAKMA

03/30/2026

From her post in the neonatal intensive care unit at Children's Nebraska, Dr. Ann Anderson-Berry sees some of Nebraska’s sickest and smallest patients. It’s a devastating and unexpected end to a pregnancy, where the baby’s survival is often in question. For parents who rely on Medicaid, the government insurance program for low-income and disabled Americans, filling out the pages of paperwork to get their newborn covered is rarely top of mind.

Those families — and other Medicaid-eligible patients seeking emergency care — have long had a grace period to apply, because by law, Medicaid would go back and retroactively pay for care provided before the application.

Nebraska’s Department of Health and Human Services is now seeking to end that retroactive coverage altogether.

Learn more from Flatwater Free Press: https://loom.ly/nbAxoBo

State officials say the move would save the state millions of dollars and incentivize hospitals to enroll low-income Nebraskans sooner.