State of Nebraska Archives: on Health Care
Jim Pillen:
Opposed to mask/COVID-19 vaccination mandates
Stand Strong Against Mandates. I am completely opposed to mask mandates, COVID-19 vaccination mandates, testing mandates, and vaccination passport policies.
We need to completely outlaw them in Nebraska.
Source: 2022 Nebraska website JimPillen.com "The Pillen Playbook"
May 12, 2022
Chuck Herbster:
The choice to be vaccinated is personal
He said the media is pressuring Americans to social distance, wear masks and be vaccinated. Herbster said the choice to be vaccinated is personal, between an individual and their doctor.
He condemned vaccine mandates, especially for the military, but said immigrants crossing the Mexican border should be vaccinated.
Source: Kearney Hub on 2022 Nebraska Gubernatorial race
Nov 2, 2021
Carol Blood:
Attract next generation of medical professionals to Nebraska
Our state must have enough doctors, dentists, mental health professionals, clinics, and hospitals to address the needs of all our communities. As first responders age out, we should use this opportunity to ensure the applicant
pool is sufficient to meet the needs of communities served during times of unprecedented challenges.
Source: 2021 Nebraska Governor campaign website ElectCarolBlood.com
Oct 19, 2021
Peter Ricketts:
People shouldn't have to choose between job and vaccination
We have been encouraging people to get vaccinated. But it should be a personal health care choice. This is not something that the government should mandate and somebody shouldn't have to make the choice between keeping their job and getting a jab in
the arm. I mean, it's just wrong. I've talked to people who have told me if they made me take the vaccine, I'm just going to be fired. I'm not going to do it.
Source: Fox News Sunday 2021 interview of Nebraska Governor
Sep 12, 2021
Peter Ricketts:
Kept state "open for business" during pandemic
We have all kept our states "open for business" and delivered food and other goods Americans need during this pandemic. Like other states, we did have to close pieces of our economies temporarily. To meet this challenge, our states moved quickly to
cut red tape and allow private employers to pivot to new business models.As we move into the next phase of managing the pandemic and consider
President Trump's guidelines for "Opening Up America Again," we are applying our propensity for planning to reopen the segments of our economies that temporarily closed. Each of us has identified triggers for when regions of our states and sectors of
our economies should reopen, based on metrics tailored to our unique circumstances. We are sharing expertise and best practices on how to safely reopen restaurants, churches, gyms and other businesses while continuing to slow the spread of infection.
Source: WaPo OpEd by 5 governors for 2022 Nebraska governor race
May 5, 2020
Chris Janicek:
Health care for millions will be my number one priority
I will advocate health care for all Americans. The for-profit insurance industry is destroying access and affordability for the majority of Nebraskans and Americans. Your current senator has voted over and over, and I will say it one more time, over to
take health care away from millions, and to do away with pre-existing condition protections. A single payer plan with massive cost cuts and an end to outrageous CEO pay will provide immediate results. Health care will be my number one priority.
Source: Norfolk Daily News on 2020 Nebraska Senate race
Apr 23, 2020
Peter Ricketts:
Patients can be transferred if rural hospitals not prepared
Frankly, with regard to these rural hospitals, they already transfer patients today based upon their ability to be able to handle it. So, it's a practice that's already in place,
that if a hospital has a case that they don't feel like they can give the proper amount of care to, we make an arrangement to transfer to a different hospital.
Source: CNN 2020 "State of the Union" on 2022 Nebraska Governor race
Mar 29, 2020
Chris Janicek:
Health care shouldn't be an expense but an investment
Janicek said, "We don't have a health insurance crisis in this country; we have a health care crisis.
That's caused by the for-profit health insurance business. Health care should not be an expense; it should be an investment. Almost half of the rural hospitals in Nebraska operate in the red."
Source: Scottsbluff Star-Herald on 2020 Nebraska Senate race
Sep 18, 2019
Jane Raybould:
Reform ObamaCare; look at single-payer
On health care, Raybould said she would fight to maintain some provisions of the Affordable Care Act, such as mandatory coverage of pre-existing conditions and insurance subsidies for those whose incomes are under a certain threshold.
She wants a bipartisan group of the "smartest and the brightest" to propose changes. She would look at a single-payer system or allowing people older than 55 to buy into Medicare, but did not endorse any specific changes.
Source: Omaha World-Herald on 2018 Nebraska Senate race
Aug 25, 2017
Don Bacon:
More market-based options for healthcare
Individuals and families should have more options and be the primary voice with their own healthcare. The primary government authority should be at the state level, and not the federal government.
States can then create market-based solutions and better respond to their citizens' needs. The one size fits all, cookie cutter approach from Washington, D.C. will fail our nation when it comes to healthcare.
Source: 2016 Nebraska House campaign website DonBacon2016.com
Nov 8, 2016
Bob Krist:
Proposed requiring meningitis vaccine for students
A measure that would have required most students to be vaccinated for bacterial meningitis failed to surmount a filibuster. The bill (LB18) sponsored by state Sen. Bob Krist would have required students to be immunized for meningococcal meningitis
before starting seventh grade, then get a booster shot at 16. Hard-line conservatives and civil libertarians argued the vaccination is unnecessary and potentially unsafe and would infringe on parents' freedom to choose what is best for their children.
Source: Lincoln Journal-Star on Nebraska voting record LB18
Jan 20, 2016
Peter Ricketts:
Cannot trust Medicaid federal matching grants
One of the biggest long-term risks we face is Medicaid expansion. We have wisely rejected Medicaid expansion 3 times in the past 3 years because it is an unreasonable risk to taxpayers. This government entitlement crowds out investments in tax relief,
education, and roads--things we need to grow our state. We also know that we cannot trust the federal government to keep the commitments it makes when it comes to spending. A 90% federal match is not sustainable in the federal government budget.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Nebraska legislature
Jan 14, 2016
Peter Ricketts:
Oppose ObamaCare and oppose Medicaid expansion
OPPOSE OBAMACARE: Pete opposes ObamaCare and stands with
Governor Heineman and the Nebraska Legislature in opposing Medicaid Expansion in Nebraska.
Source: 2014 Nebraska Governor campaign website, PeteRicketts.com
Nov 4, 2014
Bob Krist:
Honored for work with nursing/assisted living homes
The Nebraska Health Care Association has named Sen. Bob Krist as the recipient of the 2014 State Impact Award. This prestigious award honors an individual who has made a significant impact on Nebraska's nursing facilities, assisted living facilities,
and the people they care for. He worked with the Health Care Association to bring forth LB854, which directed the Department of Health and Human Services to delay issuance of the request for proposals for Medicaid managed long-term services/supports.
Source: Strictly-Business.com on 2018 Nebraska gubernatorial race
Nov 1, 2014
Shane Osborn:
Repeal ObamaCare; it's not a government responsibility
Question topic: It is the government's responsibility to be sure everyone has health care and a livable income.Osborn: Disagree
Question topic: The Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) should be repealed by Congress.
Osborn: Strongly Agree
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Nebraska Senate race
Jul 2, 2014
Dave Domina:
There are good features in ObamaCare, like age-26 insurance
Sasse reiterated his opposition to the federal Affordable Care Act, the centerpiece of his primary campaign.
He has frequently stated that the entire 2010 law should be repealed, and he offered a plan for what he called free-market solutions to problems with the health care system.
Domina said the Affordable Care Act has some problems but also positive aspects: the requirement to cover pre-existing conditions, for example, and allowing young people to remain on their parents'
insurance plans until age 26. "There are very good features about this law," he said.
Source: Omaha World-Herald on 2014 Nebraska Senate debate
Jun 2, 2014
Shane Osborn:
AdWatch: Never waver to repeal ObamaCare & protect freedom
The Osborn for Senate campaign today released the following statement concerning the campaign's new television advertisement: "The next Senator from Nebraska will be tested while in Washington and there is only one candidate who has proven he will never
waver. Only Shane Osborn will stand up every single day for the conservative values of Nebraska voters, from standing with Nebraskans against ObamaCare since 2009 to fighting against Dodd-Frank" Ad script:
Voiceover: In a crude concrete building, Navy pilot Shane Osborn endured Chinese interrogation for 12 days. He never wavered.
Shane Osborn: Every candidate says the right things. Then, under pressure, they fold and they fail. We need new leaders.
Conservatives strong enough to act, not just talk. That's the only way to repeal ObamaCare and protect our freedom. I'm Shane Osborn and I approve this message. I won't let you down.
Source: AdWatch: Osborn press release in 2014 Nebraska Senate race
Mar 17, 2014
Dave Heineman:
Nebraska will not be pressured into expanding Medicaid
The implementation of ObamaCare has been one disaster after another. Pres. Obama promised the American people that if you already have insurance, his plan would reduce your insurance premiums up to $2,500 per family per year. The facts show otherwise.
The required parts of the new federal health care law alone will cost the State of Nebraska more than $200 million in state general funds over the next 6 years.Pres. Obama and his political operatives are trying to pressure Nebraska into expanding
Medicaid, but Nebraska will not be intimidated by the Obama administration. The US Supreme Court said ObamaCare's Medicaid expansion is optional. It is up to each state to decide how they want to proceed. The financial reality of expanding Medicaid is
very simple. Expanding Medicaid will result in less future funding for state aid to education and our state college system. The responsible choice is to reject this optional Medicaid expansion.
Source: 2014 State of the State Address to Nebraska legislature
Jan 15, 2014
Ben Sasse:
Job change causes uninsurance; so make insurance portable
Pointing to the stack of ObamaCare regulations, he said, "This is not a picture of what America does. We got to this situation not just because Democrats had too many bad ideas. We got to this situation partly because Republicans don't have enough good
ideas," he said.ObamaCare would not have happened had the Republican Party been a conservative party of ideas four or five years ago, admitting people were in pain. In 2008, there were 81 million people who passed through a period of being uninsured
during 2008.
He noted that when his grandparents were having kids, the average length of someone staying in the same job was 20 years. Now it's 3.8 years, he said. "The No. 1 reason for growing uninsurance in America is not poverty" but because of
job change, he said.
He believes one solution will be making health insurance portable, so it can go with you when you change jobs. Sasse said those problems can be fixed without the federal government.
Source: Imperial Republican: 2014 Nebraska Senate town hall meeting
Nov 20, 2013
Ben Sasse:
I'm the national anti-ObamaCare Senate candidate
They've called me "the national anti-ObamaCare Senate candidate." I want to roll back ObamaCare, and to explain to the American people what a constructive conservative vision really looks like.As President George W. Bush's Assistant Secretary of
Health, during my time at HHS, I learned A LOT about health care. I've spent the better part of the last ten years in the health care sector, and I have intensely studied ObamaCare. The fact is,
I'm one of the few people it seems who has actually read the 2,300 pages of ObamaCare, and let me just tell you--it's worse than you think. I understand the bill, I can explain the bill, and I know how to rip it apart.
The problem with ObamaCare goes
way beyond technological glitches. The problem with ObamaCare is that it fundamentally changes the relationship between the Government and our citizens. [We should] repeal ObamaCare and get America back on track.
Source: 2014 Senate campaign website, SasseForNebraska.com, "Issues"
Nov 14, 2013
Shane Osborn:
Propose better options, then repeal ObamaCare
Osborn said he believes ObamaCare, the health care reform law, should be repealed, but
Republicans should bear the obligation of proposing a better option. "Republicans can't be a no-party," he said.
Source: Lincoln Journal Star on 2014 Nebraska Senate race
Jul 10, 2013
Deb Fischer:
I won't steal $700 billion from Medicare
KERREY: The question is not: Are we going to keep our commitments? But the question is: Are we going to do the right thing for our future?FISCHER: Well, I wasn't in government when those commitments were made.
But I can tell you, as a state senator for eight years, I took my job very seriously. And when I made a commitment that meant I was going to keep it.
That meant that I was hoping the people that came after me and served in the Legislature would keep that commitment also. I can tell you what I won't do, though. I will not cut benefits,
I will not raise taxes, and I won't steal $700 billion from Medicare.
KERREY: We've got a commitment we can't fund.
Source: 2012 Nebraska Senate debate excerpts
Sep 28, 2012
Deb Fischer:
Replace ObamaCare with free market reforms & competition
Fischer said, "Today's Supreme Court ruling on the constitutionality of ObamaCare means the responsibility of repealing ObamaCare has been placed solely on the shoulders of Congress. ObamaCare is an attempted government takeover of our healthcare
system that is burdening American families and small businesses with crushing taxes and regulations. I support the full repeal of ObamaCare. More government and bureaucracy is not the solution, it is the problem. We can reduce health care costs in
America by promoting more competition between insurance companies, enacting medical malpractice reform, updating information technology, and embracing preventive care.
In the Senate, I will work across party lines to implement free market reforms that will lower health care costs and improve accessibility for the uninsured.
Source: KCAU-TV9 Eyewitness News on 2012 Nebraska Senate debate
Jun 28, 2012
Bob Kerrey:
Supports ObamaCare even though he knows it's unpopular
Kerrey said he supports the federal health care reform enacted in 2010 and knows it is unpopular with many Nebraskans. He said those people should vote for Fischer.Fischer spoke about possible changes to
Social Security, while noting many lawmakers won't take a stand on the topic. "We need to look at means testing. We need to look at (raising) the eligibility age," she said.
Source: Sioux City Journal on 2012 Nebraska Senate debate
May 17, 2012
Deb Fischer:
Repeal ObamaCare health overhaul
Nebraska Attorney General Jon Bruning, state Treasurer Don Stenberg and state Sen. Deb Fischer answered questions Tuesday night during a debate sponsored by
The Omaha World-Herald, with all calling for reducing federal spending and the national deficit and repealing President Barack Obama's health care overhaul law.
Source: AP in The Republic on 2012 Nebraska Senate debates
May 1, 2012
Jon Bruning:
Signed lawsuit opposing ObamaCare
Stenberg continued to question Bruning's conservative credentials by noting that Bruning requested an earmark from U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson, D-Neb., to fund a drug-war program. He made the line of attack after
Bruning condemned the growth of "nanny government." "The fact is that a couple of years ago, he invited nanny government into the Attorney General's Office," Stenberg told the crowd.
Source: Omaha World Herald on 2012 Nebraska Senate debate
Apr 5, 2012
Dave Heineman:
Don't spend money on ObamaCare until Supreme Court decision
The new federal health care law raises taxes, cuts Medicare and contains an enormous unfunded Medicaid mandate. Because it is the current law, our state is moving forward with the planning and designing of a state health insurance exchange.
Our state has been working hard for nearly two years to protect Nebraska's interests, and I want to assure you and our citizens that Nebraska will not default to the federal government regarding a health insurance exchange.
However, it is important to recognize that the United States Supreme Court will decide whether this law is constitutional or not by June 29 of this year. In an unprecedented move, the Supreme Court will have three days of oral arguments on this
issue in late March. The simple truth is it would be a costly mistake to spend millions of taxpayer dollars to begin implementing Obamacare until the United States Supreme Court makes its decision.
Source: 2012 Nebraska State of the State Address
Jan 12, 2012
Mike Johanns:
Didn’t phase out adult mental health care services
Kleeb accused Johanns of “zeroing out” the mental health budget during his tenure as governor, when the state phased out adult mental health care services at the regional center in Hastings and began doing so at the regional center in Norfolk.
Johanns said that Kleeb was “simply wrong” and that neither he nor state lawmakers would have allowed that to happen.
Kleeb quickly took aim at Johanns during his opening statement, criticizing the former governor for his role in phasing out the
state’s regional centers. In 2004, Johanns supported a proposal to develop more community-based programs for the mentally ill. As part of that plan, lawmakers lessened the roles of the regional centers and spent the money from institutional treatment
on community-based mental health services.
Johanns responded that more than $26 million was budgeted to help with the transition. “We would never have gotten a bill passed with that idea. It would (have been) just cruel beyond cruel,” said Johanns.
Source: 2008 Nebraska Senate Debate reported in Omaha World-Herald
Oct 7, 2008
Mike Johanns:
Giving all taxpayers federal coverage would cost $480B
Johanns took aim at Kleeb’s repeated promise to give all taxpayers access to the federal health care coverage provided to Congress and other federal employees.
Johanns said that was a “nice sound bite,” but said it would cost the nation $480 billion.
Kleeb responded that at a time when government was spending billions to rescue
Wall Street, he thought the federal government could help insure the uninsured. It is estimated that about 200,000 Nebraskans lack health insurance, Kleeb said.
Kleeb also argued that Nebraskans already pay for the uninsured, whose medical bills are passed down by hospitals and doctors to other consumers. “We actually can afford it because we’re paying it,” Kleeb said.
Source: 2008 Nebraska Senate Debate reported in Omaha World-Herald
Oct 7, 2008
Scott Kleeb:
Shouldn’t phase out adult mental health care services
Kleeb accused Johanns of “zeroing out” the mental health budget during his tenure as governor, when the state phased out adult mental health care services at the regional center in Hastings and began doing so at the regional center in Norfolk.
Johanns said that Kleeb was “simply wrong” and that neither he nor state lawmakers would have allowed that to happen.
Kleeb quickly took aim at Johanns during his opening statement, criticizing the former governor for his role in phasing out the
state’s regional centers. In 2004, Johanns supported a proposal to develop more community-based programs for the mentally ill. As part of that plan, lawmakers lessened the roles of the regional centers and spent the money from institutional treatment
on community-based mental health services.
Johanns responded that more than $26 million was budgeted to help with the transition. “We would never have gotten a bill passed with that idea. It would (have been) just cruel beyond cruel,” said Johanns.
Source: 2008 Nebraska Senate Debate reported in Omaha World-Herald
Oct 7, 2008
Scott Kleeb:
Give all taxpayers access to federal coverage like Congress
Johanns took aim at Kleeb’s repeated promise to give all taxpayers access to the federal health care coverage provided to Congress and other federal employees.
Johanns said that was a “nice sound bite,” but said it would cost the nation $480 billion.
Kleeb responded that at a time when government was spending billions to rescue
Wall Street, he thought the federal government could help insure the uninsured. It is estimated that about 200,000 Nebraskans lack health insurance, Kleeb said.
Kleeb also argued that Nebraskans already pay for the uninsured, whose medical bills are passed down by hospitals and doctors to other consumers. “We actually can afford it because we’re paying it,” Kleeb said.
Source: 2008 Nebraska Senate Debate reported in Omaha World-Herald
Oct 7, 2008
Mike Johanns:
Alternative community hospitals got 9000 more people treated
The candidates clashed over Johanns’ record as governor in closing state psychiatric institutions in Hastings and Norfolk to shift treatment to nonhospital community settings.
Kleeb called that failed leadership because alternative community treatment was not adequately funded, leaving authorities with no place to house mentally ill people taken into custody.
He cited allegations of inhumane treatment of residents of the Beatrice State Developmental Center.Johanns said Kleeb made a “major mistake” by calling the Beatrice center a “mental health” facility because it treats the developmentally disabled.
He said the policy change allowed Nebraska to access millions in additional federal dollars, allowing 9,000 more people to receive mental health services.
Source: 2008 Nebraska Senate debate reported in Omaha World-Herald
Sep 16, 2008
Scott Kleeb:
Alternative community treatment not adequately funded
The candidates clashed over Johanns’ record as governor in closing state psychiatric institutions in Hastings and Norfolk to shift treatment to nonhospital community settings.
Kleeb called that failed leadership because alternative community treatment was not adequately funded, leaving authorities with no place to house mentally ill people taken into custody.
He cited allegations of inhumane treatment of residents of the Beatrice State Developmental Center.Johanns said Kleeb made a “major mistake” by calling the Beatrice center a “mental health” facility because it treats the developmentally disabled.
He said the policy change allowed Nebraska to access millions in additional federal dollars, allowing 9,000 more people to receive mental health services.
Source: 2008 Nebraska Senate debate reported in Omaha World-Herald
Sep 16, 2008
Scott Kleeb:
Parity for mental health; coverage for dental health
Scott will work to transform America’s ailing health care system by following these principles:Parity with Members of Congress. Kleeb believes that health care coverage should be on par with the Federal Employees Health Benefits Program--the
health plan Members of Congress receive.Portability. We don’t choose our health care plans; our employers do. Kleeb believes that health insurance should be portable so that we can play a greater deciding role in who provides our care.
Prevention. Kleeb will work toward a system designed to promote wellness and prevention, not merely treating sickness. Mental health parity. Kleeb is committed to establishing mental health parity and will do all he can to make sure
Nebraskans have the mental health coverage they need.Coverage for dental care. Scott Kleeb knows that dental care is a necessary and integral part of overall general health, and should be] covered by insurance plans.
Source: Campaign booklet, Nebraska’s Brand of Change, p.14-15
Aug 19, 2008
Steven Larrick:
I support universal single-payer health care
Larrick supports the following principles regarding Health Issues:- Implement a universal healthcare program to guarantee coverage to all Americans, regardless of income.
- Allow the importation of prescription drugs into the
United States.
- Support expanding prescription drug coverage under Medicare.
- Support expanding child healthcare programs.
- Larrick adds, “I support universal single-payer health care.”
Source: Nebraska Congressional Election 2008 Political Courage Test
Jun 25, 2008
Mike Johanns:
Opposes a single-payer government run program
I will work to provide individuals and families affordable access to quality health care and oppose a single-payer government run program. I would advocate for health care policies to be tax deductible if
purchased by an individual or family and allow small businesses to form alliances to purchase care at the lower cost offered to larger companies.
Source: Nebraska Congressional Election 2008 Political Courage Test
Jun 3, 2008
Mike Johanns:
Use tobacco settlement for biomedical research
We should formulate a rational approach for utilizing the proceeds from the tobacco settlement. I propose that a major endowment be dedicated to biomedical research at these facilities while leaving the majority of the tobacco funds
for significant public health needs. We are so close to solving once and for all the riddles of many diseases with this research. These funds can offer a new day and a new life for Nebraskans and people around the world.
In addition to this research, there are many needs to be funded with the remaining portion of the tobacco settlement. You know as I do that there are many health care needs in Nebraska that are not being met.
I would submit, however, that there is no, and I repeat, no greater priority for funding than in the area of mental health.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Nebraska Legislature
Jan 11, 2001
Mike Johanns:
$6M increase in funding for mental health
I propose we significantly boost funding for mental health. First, let’s agree to make mental health funding the highest priority with the remaining tobacco settlement dollars. Specifically, I propose dedicating $6 million in tobacco settlement funds
for mental health over the biennium. Second, let’s join together to increase general fund support for mental health. Including the tobacco settlement funds, I propose increasing mental health aid from $28.5 million in the current fiscal year
to $33.6 million dollars in fiscal year 2002 and to $38.7 million dollars in fiscal year 2003. This represents a more than 35% increase over the biennium.
I recognize that even more needs to be done and so I pledge to do what I can to help Senator
Jensen and the Health and Human Services Committee and Senator Wehrbein and the Appropriations Committee to identify mental health needs, prioritize them, and fund them. Maybe we can do more than what I propose today.
Source: 2001 State of the State Address to Nebraska Legislature
Jan 11, 2001
Page last updated: May 30, 2022