LB382A is the appropriations companion bill for LB382, providing the funding needed to implement the substantive provisions of that underlying act. The bill appropriates money from the Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services for the specified program tied to LB382, with separate amounts identified for two fiscal years. It also includes cash fund language indicating that state aid included in the appropriation may only be used for the stated purpose.
The bill is a fiscal measure rather than a policy overhaul: it directs existing state funds to support implementation of the related legislation and restricts the use of those appropriated dollars. It additionally states that no expenditures for permanent or temporary salaries or per diems for state employees may be made from the funds appropriated in this section, limiting the appropriation to programmatic use rather than administrative compensation.
Impact
LB382A amends state spending authority by creating a targeted appropriation from the Medicaid Managed Care Excess Profit Fund to the Department of Health and Human Services. Its practical effect is to finance the implementation of LB382 and to constrain how those funds may be spent, including a prohibition on using the appropriation for certain employee compensation. The bill affects DHHS, the Medicaid managed care funding stream, and any program or recipients dependent on the underlying LB382 implementation.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have enjoyed broad support and little controversy. It advanced unanimously through earlier stages, received a 40-0 vote on an amendment, and passed final reading 48-1, before being approved by the Governor. The voting history suggests strong legislative consensus that the appropriation was necessary to carry out the related policy bill.
Contention
There is little evidence of substantive contention in the available record. The only notable point reflected in the text is the restriction on using appropriated funds for permanent or temporary salaries and per diems, which may have been intended to ensure the money is used only for the designated program purpose. Beyond that fiscal limitation, the bill’s discussion and votes indicate minimal disagreement, with only one dissenting vote on final passage.