Bill would restore prenatal care for low-income women, immigrants
LINCOLN — A legislative committee advanced a bill Monday that would restore government-funded prenatal care for the unborn babies of illegal immigrants and other women.
The action of the Health and Human Services Committee sets up a fight with Gov. Dave Heineman. The governor has taken a stand against providing public benefits to illegal immigrants.
Legislative Bill 599, introduced last year, would allow the state to provide prenatal coverage through its children's health insurance program, commonly known as Kids Connection.
The bill would require about $1.9 million in state funds per year and an additional $4.4 million in federal funds.
In 2010, Nebraska cut off Medicaid-funded prenatal care for about 1,600 low-income women. About half were illegal immigrants.
State officials cited federal regulations requiring Medicaid coverage to be based on a woman's eligibility. The state had been providing coverage based on the elibility of the unborn baby.
Although federal regulations would allow coverage for those babies under Kids Connection, efforts to provide such coverage failed in 2010.
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402-473-9583, martha.stoddard@owh.
Low Income Health Insurance Prenatal - News
By Martha Stoddard LINCOLN — A legislative committee advanced a bill Monday that would restore government-funded prenatal care for the unborn babies of illegal immigrants and other women. The action of the Health and Human Services Committee sets up a
care coverage under Medicaid (FRANCIS GARDLER/) About 150 activists banded together Saturday in a candlelight vigil at Lincoln's Christ United Methodist Church, urging the restoration of prenatal health coverage for low-income
A longer term stability depends on keeping child, infant and maternal mortality low, even as we struggle with health care costs and the creation of a lower-energy infrastructure. Over the last thirty years, infant and maternal death rates in childbirth
Midwifery includes prenatal, birth and post-partum care, which is typically a year's worth of services. There is no need for doctors, nurses or hospital stays with midwifery care, as long as the pregnancy is considered low-risk.
Health care providers say more low-income women in Nebraska are waiting longer for prenatal care that helps protect their unborn children from health risks and complications at birth. Providers said the increase stems from a 2009 federal order that has
Health Care Providers | Advocates Prepare To Push Nebraska ...
Health care providers say more low-income women in Nebraska are watchful longer for prenatal care that helps safeguard their unborn young kids from illness risks and complications at birth.
Providers mentioned the enlarge stems from a 2009 sovereign demand that has forced women to journey over for check-ups, and stirred a few to wait for until late in their last trimester.
The situation has joined religious, illness care and amicable gratification advocates, who will titillate the Legislature Tuesday to revive prenatal coverage for low-income women who no longer qualify.
State officials guess that 4,700 women would be eligible, inclusive rounded off 3,100 undocumented immigrants.
A bill by Lincoln Sen. Kathy Campbell would send the Department of Health and Human Services to settle coverage for unborn young kids of mothers who were deemed incompetent for Medicaid.
Nebraska advocates push prenatal care bill: Advocates who want to restore prenatal care coverage for low-income ... 
Nebraska advocates push prenatal care bill: Advocates who want to restore prenatal care coverage for low-income ...