On March 21, a new law was approved by Nebraska lawmakers that aims to improve the well-being of homeless individuals in the state. Introduced by Ralston Sen. Merv Riepe, LB905 will provide short-term housing and supportive medical services for eligible adults experiencing homelessness in Nebraska.
Under LB905, the state Department of Health and Human Services is required to apply for a Medicaid waiver or state plan amendment with the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services by Oct. 1, 2025. This will designate two medical respite facilities for homeless individuals in the state, located in a primary class city and a metropolitan class city, with one facility in Lincoln and the other in Omaha.
These facilities will be reimbursed for services provided to qualified individuals, giving those experiencing homelessness access to much-needed medical care. In addition, the bill grants the department the authority to license adult respite care facilities and authorizes funding for the program from the Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Fund.
With a vote of 43-0, LB905 passed with overwhelming support from lawmakers. This initiative aims to address the needs of homeless individuals in Nebraska by providing them with both housing and essential medical services. By establishing medical respite facilities in key locations across the state, this bill seeks to improve the well-being of those experiencing homelessness and provide them with
