Bill > LB958

This bill makes several changes to public health and welfare programs, including the Medical Assistance Act, the Nebraska Prenatal Plus Program, and the low-income home energy assistance program. It aims to implement a home and community-based services waiver, which provides services to individuals in their homes and communities rather than in institutions, and ensures that employees and contractors involved in this waiver receive training in clinical interviewing techniques to better assess individuals' needs. The bill also mandates retroactive coverage of certain benefits under the Medical Assistance Act, meaning individuals may be eligible for benefits for a period before their application date, and establishes reimbursement for doula services, which are professional support persons who assist individuals before, during, and after childbirth, recognizing their role in improving birth outcomes. Additionally, it modifies reporting requirements for the Medical Assistance Act to include more detailed information on program operations and community engagement, and extends the reporting period for the Nebraska Prenatal Plus Program, a program designed to improve maternal and infant health outcomes. Finally, it sets limits for crisis assistance payments under the low-income home energy assistance program, which helps low-income households with heating and cooling costs, while allowing for exceptions in extenuating circumstances.