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LEGISLATURE OF NEBRASKA
ONE HUNDRED NINTH LEGISLATURE
SECOND SESSION
LEGISLATIVE BILL 1221
Introduced by Ballard, 21.
Read first time January 21, 2026
Committee: Health and Human Services
A BILL FOR AN ACT relating to the Medical Assistance Act; to amend1
section 68-901, Revised Statutes Cumulative Supplement, 2024; to2
provide definitions relating to community engagement and work3
requirements; and to repeal the original section.4
Be it enacted by the people of the State of Nebraska,5
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Section 1. Section 68-901, Revised Statutes Cumulative Supplement,1
2024, is amended to read: 2
68-901 Sections 68-901 to 68-9,111 and section 2 of this act shall3
be known and may be cited as the Medical Assistance Act.4
Sec. 2. For purposes of implementing and administering the federal5
One Big Beautiful Bill Act, Public Law 119-21, as such act existed on6
January 1, 2026, the department shall adopt the following definitions for7
purposes of community engagement or work requirements for individuals who8
experience a short-term hardship event: 9
(1) Extended period of time means (a) one or more overnight stays,10
(b) repeated travel of two or more trips, or (c) sustained absence from11
the individual's residence that reasonably interferes with the ability to12
meet community engagement requirements; 13
(2) Inpatient hospital services means services provided to an14
individual who is admitted as an inpatient to a hospital under a15
physician or other health care provider order, consistent with 42 C.F.R.16
412.3. Inpatient hospital services are deemed to occur beginning on the17
date of admission, regardless of length of stay, and include any18
associated outpatient, observation, diagnostic, recovery, or follow-up19
care related to such admission; 20
(3) Outside of the individual's community means travel outside of21
the individual's county of residence; and 22
(4) Serious or complex medical condition means an individual who has23
one or more of the conditions described in 42 C.F.R. 440.315, including24
any condition for which medicaid coverage is medically necessary.25
Sec. 3. Original section 68-901, Revised Statutes Cumulative26
Supplement, 2024, is repealed. 27
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