(KTNC) - First District Nebraska State Senator Dan Watermeier hosted a series of open house meetings around southeast Nebraska Saturday.
At a stop in Falls City Saturday afternoon, Watermeier was asked about Medicaid expansion in the state. Watermeier serves on the Health and Human Services Committee, which will consider legislation on the issue. He says the discussion around expanding Medicaid to an additional 55,000 Nebraskans is complicated, with arguments both for and against.
One concern he says is whether there are enough health care providers in rural Nebraska to handle the expansion. (play audio :32)
Watermeier says there are programs such as the Rural Health Opportunities Program that could help address the shortage. R-HOP is a collaborative effort of the state colleges and University of Nebraska Medical Center that encourages students from rural Nebraska interested in a health care career to return to practice in rural Nebraska after graduating.
Watermeier says a lot of the discussion on Medicaid expansion is about the potential cost. (play audio :40)
Watermeier says it’s unlikely the state could have the infrastructure in place in two years to handle expanded Medicaid. (play audio :24)
The Medicaid expansion bill will be brought forward in the Health and Human Services Committee this Thursday, and Watermeier expects a vote on the bill will occur one or two weeks later.
Watermeier stopped at Schulenberg Bakery in Falls City. He also held open houses in Nebraska City, Auburn, and Humboldt.
© MSC News
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Holton man receives Hard 25 sentence for child sex crime
Horton man arrested following weekend shooting
Hiawatha man facing sex, drug charges waives prelim hearing
Two arrested Thursday in Jackson Co on meth-related charges
Power outage leads to early school dismissal
Inmate dies at Lansing Correctional Facility
Vacancy filled on USD 115 board
MO grass fire battled Thursday
Community Healthcare System hires new CEO
Mound City Mayor Duane Nauman remembered
Falls City School Board approves personnel moves and purchases
Valley Falls' future set for Wednesday eve discussion
PBPN breaks ground for new business
Sheriff issues safety reminder
Brown Co Planning Commission established
USD 415 board approves bids for new HS stadium lights
Johnson-Brock School not able to accept all option-in requests
Richardson County Board agrees to mediation
LATEST STORIES
New Atchison garden sees growth
Lancaster, County, plan weekend clean up
Effingham awarded water-related grant
Brown Co Planning Commission established
Atchison firefighter receives VFW honors
Highway 73 near Verdon NE reopened
Mound City Mayor Duane Nauman remembered
RELATED STORIES
Neb Gov seeking nominations for legislative vacancies
Nebraska Lawmakers Reject Vaccination Bill
New Committees For Neb Senator Watermeier
Falls City Hospital Receives Patient Care Award
Falls City Hospital Encouraging People to Walk at Work
Fewer Cancer Specialists Practicing in Rural Areas
Study Shows Drop in Nebraska Groundwater Levels