LB599 is intended to allow Nebraska to continue to offer prenatal services to unborn children of low-income women. The federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) notified Nebraska in 2009 that it must stop providing prenatal services to some of these children through Medicaid. CMS has also notified Nebraska that prenatal care may be provided to unborn children through the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

Therefore, LB599 directs the Department of Health and Human Services to apply for CMS’s approval of a state plan amendment or waiver to provide prenatal services under the targeted low-income child health option of the CHIP. Program services shall be prenatal care and pregnancy-related services connected to the health of the unborn child. The program is solely for the unborn children of low-income mothers who are ineligible for coverage under Medicaid. Children’s eligibility will be determined using an income budgetary methodology of no greater than 185% of the federal poverty guideline. Services not included are medical issues separate to the mother and unrelated to pregnancy.

• Health and Human Services

• No amendments of concern

• No additional documents

• ACTION ALERT: Make Healthy Babies a Priority! (04/02/2012)
• ACTION ALERT:  Support for Prenatal Care bill needed at public hearing Wednesday (03/14/2011)

Bill History