LINCOLN — Nebraska could save money and improve the health of women and children by expanding Medicaid coverage of family planning services, a key state lawmaker said Monday.
State Sen. Kathy Campbell of Lincoln called Legislative Bill 540 "an important public health issue."
But the measure immediately ran into controversies about abortion and birth control.
A proposed amendment would bar any funds from the expanded coverage from going to Planned Parenthood or other entity that "performs or promotes elective abortion."
Sen. Tony Fulton of Lincoln said he would not fight the bill if the amendment were adopted.
LB 540 would direct state officials to seek the same federal Medicaid waiver granted to 29 other states, including Iowa and Missouri.
Under the waiver, the state Medicaid program would cover family planning services for women who make up to 185 percent of the federal poverty level.
That equals a household income of $42,643 for a woman in a family of four.
The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services estimated 26,000 additional women could qualify for the expanded coverage.
"This is an opportunity to prevent unplanned pregnancies and therefore abortions, which is what all of you say you want," said Sen. Amanda McGill of Lincoln.
Campbell said Nebraska could reap savings of $5.5 million in general funds by spending an estimated $514,000.
Medicaid family planning waivers have been shown to save money in states where they have been adopted.
Iowa, for example, saved $7 for every $1 spent during the first year it had the federal waiver. A 2009 study projected those savings would grow after five years to $15.12 for every $1 spent.
In Minnesota, the number of abortions dropped significantly after the state got a Medicaid family planning waiver. That state estimated it saved about $4 in general funds for every $1 spent on family planning.
Nebraska lawmakers took up the debate at the same time national controversy rages over a federal ruling about health insurance coverage. The ruling would force Catholic institutions, such as colleges, hospitals and social service agencies, to include coverage of birth control, female sterilization and the morning-after pill in their employee health insurance plans.
Opponents say the provision infringes on religious freedom by forcing institutions to pay for services to which they have a moral objection.
LB 540 would expand existing coverage in a public program, funded with state and federal tax dollars.
Nebraska's Medicaid program already covers family planning services for women who are eligible for full Medicaid coverage, which means most have incomes below the federal poverty level.
Debate on the measure will continue Tuesday.
Contact the writer:
402-473-9583, martha.stoddard@owh.com
Copyright ©2012 Omaha World-Herald®. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, displayed or redistributed for any purpose without permission from the Omaha World-Herald.
