Four bills could help Nebraska's struggling health care industry

"They have stayed committed," Nebraska Nurses Association president said.

"They have stayed committed," Nebraska Nurses Association president said.

KETV.COM. JULIE: STATE T STATE PLANSO T INTRODUCE THREE BILLS TO IMPROVE THE INFRASTRUCTURE PLAN. ROB: THERE IS SUPPORT FROM THE STATE'S NURSE AND HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION. >> REPR:ORTE AWARDING BONUSES AND ESTABLISHING GRANT APPLICATIONS. THE NEBRASKA HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION SUPPORTS THOSE NEW BILLS FROM STATE SENATORS. >> THERE'S A LOT OF FUNDING THAT WE HAVE AVAILABLE THROUGHHE T AMERICAN RECOVERY ACT. >> REPORTER:HE T PRESIDENT OF THE NEBRASKA NURSES ASSOCIATION YSSA THOSE WORKERS DESERVE BONUS. >> THEY HEAV STAY COMMITTED TO THEIROB J AND THEIR PROFESSION AND THEIR PATIENTS. THIS IS AN APPRECIATION BONUS. >> REPORTER: SENATOR MCDONDAL SPONSORED THE BILL. >> THE SPECIFICS ARETN' LIKE AN AMOUNT PER NURSE. IT IS GNGOI TO BE BASED ON PARAMETERS. >> REPORTER: THE SECOND BILL SPONSORED BY SENATOR DNOR APPROPRIATES $5 MILLION. IT WILL ALLOW THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES TO AWARD SCHOLARSPSHI FOR APPROVED NURSING PROGRAM. THE HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION SAYS THAT WLIL HELP RECRUIT DURING THE WORKFORCE SHORTE.AG THE THIRD BILL APPROPRIATES ANHEOTR $5 MILLION. IT WILL CREATE NEW FULL-TIME JOBS THAT WILL OVERSEE THE CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION PROGRAM. >> OBVIOUSLY, SOME OF THAT GOES THROUGH THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS, SO IT WON'T BE AVAILABLE TOMORROW OR TODAY WHEN WE NEED IT. >> REPORTER: ROUNDING OUT THE FOUR BILLS THAT WLD USE $2 MILLION TO ALLOW D.H.H.S. TO ESTABLISH A PROCESS FOR HOSPITAL GRANTS. >> WE'RE IN ONGOING CONVERSATIONS WITH THEM AND HOPE TO HAVE A SUCCESSFUL LEGISLATIVE SESSION. >> REPORTER: BOTH ASSOCIATIONS HOPE LAWMAKERSUC SSSCEFULLY PASS THE PROPOSALS TO SUSTAIN AND INVEST IN HEALTH CARE FOR THE FUTURE

Four bills could help Nebraska's struggling health care industry

"They have stayed committed," Nebraska Nurses Association president said.

Nebraska senators are introducing legislation to address struggling aspects of the state's health care industry.Four bills from four senators would pay bonuses to nurses and create recruiting incentives, full-time jobs, and innovation. The Nebraska Hospital Association described the following legislation, set for introduction this week:"Senator Mike McDonnell (District 5, Omaha) will be introducing the Front Line Nurse Premium Pay bill. This bill will ask the state to appropriate $50 million from the American Rescue Plan Act. It will allow for hospitals and federal qualified health centers to award premium pay bonuses to nurses who have been on the front lines during the pandemic.Senator Myron Dorn (District 30, Gage County) will be introducing the Nebraska Nursing Incentive Act bill. This bill will ask the state to appropriate $5 million from the American Rescue Plan Act. It will allow for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to administer scholarships to public or private postsecondary institutions for approved nursing programs.Senator Patty Pansing-Brooks (District 28, Lincoln) will be introducing a bill that appropriates $5 million from the American Rescue Plan Act to create new full-time positions that will oversee the seven Career and Technical Education Programs within the Nebraska Department of Education.Senator Robert Hilkemann (District 4, Omaha) will be introducing the Care Team Innovation Grant bill. This bill will ask the state to appropriate $2 million from the American Rescue Plan Act. It will allow DHHS to establish a competitive application process for grants for hospitals to explore new and innovative ways of health care delivery."Nebraska Nurses Association president Dr. Kari Wade says nurses deserve bonuses for their work throughout the pandemic."They have stayed committed to their job and their profession and their patients," Dr. Wade said. "So this is an appreciation bonus."Dr. Wade says there are parameters to the bonus payments. She could not specify a proposed amount since the bill will go through legislation. She says she was part of a task force with other health care workers across the state that addressed nursing needs that could be fulfilled by the American Rescue Plan Act.Senators and the Nebraska Hospital Association will discuss the legislation at the Capitol Rotunda Tuesday at noon.

Nebraska senators are introducing legislation to address struggling aspects of the state's health care industry.

Four bills from four senators would pay bonuses to nurses and create recruiting incentives, full-time jobs, and innovation.

The Nebraska Hospital Association described the following legislation, set for introduction this week:

"Senator Mike McDonnell (District 5, Omaha) will be introducing the Front Line Nurse Premium Pay bill. This bill will ask the state to appropriate $50 million from the American Rescue Plan Act. It will allow for hospitals and federal qualified health centers to award premium pay bonuses to nurses who have been on the front lines during the pandemic.

Senator Myron Dorn (District 30, Gage County) will be introducing the Nebraska Nursing Incentive Act bill. This bill will ask the state to appropriate $5 million from the American Rescue Plan Act. It will allow for the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to administer scholarships to public or private postsecondary institutions for approved nursing programs.

Senator Patty Pansing-Brooks (District 28, Lincoln) will be introducing a bill that appropriates $5 million from the American Rescue Plan Act to create new full-time positions that will oversee the seven Career and Technical Education Programs within the Nebraska Department of Education.

Senator Robert Hilkemann (District 4, Omaha) will be introducing the Care Team Innovation Grant bill. This bill will ask the state to appropriate $2 million from the American Rescue Plan Act. It will allow DHHS to establish a competitive application process for grants for hospitals to explore new and innovative ways of health care delivery."

Nebraska Nurses Association president Dr. Kari Wade says nurses deserve bonuses for their work throughout the pandemic.

"They have stayed committed to their job and their profession and their patients," Dr. Wade said. "So this is an appreciation bonus."

Dr. Wade says there are parameters to the bonus payments. She could not specify a proposed amount since the bill will go through legislation. She says she was part of a task force with other health care workers across the state that addressed nursing needs that could be fulfilled by the American Rescue Plan Act.

Senators and the Nebraska Hospital Association will discuss the legislation at the Capitol Rotunda Tuesday at noon.

Four bills could help Nebraska's struggling health care industry

"They have stayed committed," Nebraska Nurses Association president said.

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