2024 Legislative Efforts
2024 has been a very busy legislative session. The two bills listed below have hearings scheduled soon and links below that will allow you to submit comments directly to the Committee hearing the bill. Get involved by advocating for your profession. It's simple. See instructions below.
Updated May 1, 2024
LB 358 - Passed!
Although LB 358, last's years bill to increase dental Medicaid fees by $6M (25%), passed this year, the 25% increase was not included in the first draft of the Appropriation Committee's Budget.
During discussons between the Governor and the Appropriations Committee, the Governor agreed to a 12 1/2% increase in dental Medicaid fees for 2024-25.
LB 1138 - Passed!
Based on comments from many NDA members, LB 1138 provides an exemption to the general electronic prescribing requirement for controlled substances for prescriptions issued by a prescriber who issues fewer than fifty prescriptions for controlled substances (Schedule I-V) in one calendar year.
NDA’s legislation - LB 1138 was amended into the Health and Human Services Committee Priority Bill, LB 1215, (p.69, line 21). Passed on Final Reading with Emergency Clause 45-0-4 on March 28, 2024 . . . which means is in effect now!!LB 834 - Passed!
LB 834 Establish requirements for a resident dental license. Repurposes the temporary dental license statute into a resident license statute. Allows an applicant to take the ADEX exam or the CRDTS exam.
UNMC and Creighton Dental School's legislation - NDA testified in support - LB 834 received a Speaker Priorty designation and passed 2024.
LB 1387 - Defeated!
Although recognizing the optimal fluoridation level added to water, it also requires cities or villages who already fluoridate to their water, to place a fluoridation measure on the ballot affirming that they want to continue fluoridating their water . . . if they don’t put it on the ballot, they must cease fluoridating their water.
NDA testified in opposition because there is no need for LB 1387. If communities want to place a measure on the ballot to remove fluoridation, they can do so now. In addition, the ADA addressed the "new science" questioning the benefits of fluoridation in 2023.
LB 1387 was never advanced out of Committee and died this legislative session.
LB824 - Died
LB824 adopting the interstate compact, allowing a dentist or dental hygienist licensed in a different compact state to practice under a compact privilege in Nebraska subject to Nebraska law and regulations. Will NOT be placed on Consent File or amended into a Priority Bill and did not pass this year. The Dental Compact will likely be reintroduced next legislative session.LB 1110 - Postponed
Requires dental plan carriers to meet a minimum dental loss ratio and provide a report to the Department of Insurance as prescribed. Provides that dental plans must meet an 85% minimum loss ratio. In other words the plans must spend 85% of the premiums they receive on dental care services.
Senator Jacobson informed the NDA that he will continue to work with the NDA and insurers regarding LB 1110 over the summer and continue in the 2025 legislative session.
Go to the NDA Dental Loss Ratio webpage for more information.
LB 935 - Died
A companion bill to LB 358 above, appropriates $6,000,000 from the General Fund for FY2024-25 to the Department of Health and Human Services for the purpose of increasing provider reimbursement rates for dental services under the Medical Assistance Act. (approximately a 25% increase in fees). This bill did not come out of Committee and died.
LB 1015 - Died
Change provisions of the Rural Health Systems and Professional Incentive Act. Authorizes the Rural Health Advisory Commission to award loan repayments to dentists who see a disproportionate amount of Medicaid patients (to be defined in Regulations).
NDA’s legislation - testified in support – there was no opposition testimony. LB 1015 did not advanced from Committee and died this legislative session.
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