At the Capitol: Nebraskans’ Access to Health Care is At Risk

We are on Day 64 of session as all-day debate – including late nights – continues. Here’s an update on what happened last week, and how we’ll continue fighting for justice and opportunity for ALL Nebraskans as we head into the last 30 days of the 2023 Legislative Session.

LB626: A Near Total Abortion Ban for Nebraskans

Everyone should be able to access the health care they need, in their own communities, when they need it. Last Wednesday, LB626, which bans abortions before many even know they are pregnant, passed through the first round of debate by a vote of 33-16, and has advanced from general file to select file.

LB626 is a bill that:

• Ignores medical professionals
• Goes against polling that shows the majority of Nebraskans oppose more restrictions on abortion access
• Dismisses that a 6-week ban is an extreme and near-total ban on abortion care
• Means senators are not listening to Nebraskans

TAKE ACTION: Contact your senator and tell them to OPPOSE 626. Because no pregnancy looks the same. Sweeping legislation to limit health care decisions benefits no one.

LB574: A Legally-Suspect Attack on Trans Youth

Nebraskans shouldn’t have to leave the state to access the health care they need. Gender affirming care is health care. Last Thursday, LB574, which bans gender affirming care for youth, passed through the second round of debate by a vote of 33-16, advancing from select file to final reading.

No matter what is being targeted, restricting access to care impacts the health care access of all Nebraskans. LB574 is also legally suspect. Attempts to attack trans youth by banning gender affirming care in other states have opened them up to lengthy and expensive litigation.

TAKE ACTION: Contact your senator and tell them to OPPOSE LB574. Banning any form of health care, against the expertise of medical professionals, is not good policy.

LB227: Amended to Include Child Care Subsidies

Thousands of Nebraska families rely on the Child Care Subsidy Program, which provides assistance to low-income families by helping to cover the costs of childcare on a sliding scale. The program helps parents have a safe place for their children while they find work, maintain employment, or gain the education and skills needed to get a job. 

Yesterday, LB227, a bill intended to cover a Medicaid reimbursement gap in Nebraska, was advanced to select file after being amended to include LB35 (Senator Wendy DeBoer), which helps parents afford the child care they need by extending the sunset date on Nebraska’s current child care subsidy eligibility increase.

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