Most Nebraskans support health coverage for all

A survey of Nebraskans’ views on health care says 94% of Nebraskans would like to see affordable health plans available to everyone, regardless of their general health. The survey also says 76% would support a requirement that all Nebraskans must sign up for coverage, should such a plan become available.

The Nebraska Medical Association announced the results Thursday at the conclusion of the Nebraska Health Summit in Omaha. The group is advocating state legislation that would ensure all Nebraskans have health coverage. The survey says 90% of Nebraskans have health insurance.

Survey: Most Nebraskans support health coverage for all

A survey of Nebraskans’ views on health care says 94% of Nebraskans would like to see affordable health plans available to everyone, regardless of their general health. The survey also says 76% would support a requirement that all Nebraskans must sign up for coverage, should such a plan become available.

The Nebraska Medical Association announced the results Thursday at the conclusion of the Nebraska Health Summit in Omaha. The group is advocating state legislation that would ensure all Nebraskans have health coverage. The survey says 90% of Nebraskans have health insurance.

Nebraska company shrinking workforce — in a good way

Expanding waistlines and rising insurance costs have grabbed the attention of a lot of businesses as they rethink their approach to wellness, but one Lincoln company has taken its efforts to a new level. Global human resources consulting firm Talent Plus is finding unparalleled success in its efforts to combat obesity and to jump — start physical fitness, said Lisa Henning, the director of WorkWell, Lincoln and Southeast Nebraska’s wellness council.

In her surveys of people whose companies use WorkWell, 35% of her 10,000 respondents have a body-mass-index that classifies them as obese. But at Talent Plus, just 6% of their survey respondents are obese and 75% are meeting the Surgeon General’s guidelines for physical fitness.

Henning is confident it’s no fluke. Talent Plus is part of a growing trend as companies opt to address underlying health conditions to rein in rising health insurance costs. Premium increases are rising at a rate of 14 to 15%, on average, Henning said. “It’s a survival tactic,” she said. Talent Plus calls its program “Body for Talent.” Associates compete for prizes including a day off, small monetary awards or just pride. The idea sprung out of a body-fat loss competition held last fall.

In Nebraska, hospitals’ value extends well beyond health care services

A new study highlights the important role hospitals play in supporting a strong and stable economy. In Nebraska, hospitals directly employ more than 40,000 people and serve as a major source of private-sector jobs, or 8.42 percent of the state’s total employment, according to a report recently released by the American Hospital Association.

Nationwide, hospitals in 2006 employed more than 5 million people, ranking second only to full-service restaurants. Hospitals and their employees also purchase goods and services from other businesses, supporting additional jobs and economic activity in their community and across the country.

In Nebraska, the health care sector supports nearly 80,000 jobs. Nebraska hospitals make significant economic contributions to the state’s economy—over an $8.8 billion economic impact, the study shows.

Legislature alters bill to provide workers comp for mental injuries

Nebraska lawmakers likely won’t extend workers’ compensation benefits to employees who witness violent acts and suffer mental illnesses as a result. On a 22-26 vote, senators voted down an amendment that contained the substance of the bill (LB1082) from Sen. Abbie Cornett of Bellevue, even after a new estimate showed the proposed law would likely cost the state far less than originally believed. Original estimates were between $3.7 million and $26.7 million. A revised fiscal note reduced the estimated cost to the state to about $130,500. But senators raised concerns about the breadth of the bill, which would have applied to any worker in the state. Senators voted 25-7 to advance the bill, which now would extend the workers’ comp benefits to only first responders who suffer mental injuries.

Nebraska legislators resolve major issues

With seven working days left, all of the big issues facing the Nebraska Legislature have been resolved or are well on their way to resolution. Thursday will mark the last day for bills to advance from first-round debate if they are to pass this year, barring exceptional circumstances. The last day of the session is April 17. Legislators will meet four days this week and three days next week.

Only a handful of the 77 bills designated as priorities by individual senators or by committees have not received first-round debate. Before the session started, the budget, roads funding, school aid, tax cuts, the death penalty and the future of the Nebraska State Fair made it onto most lists of major issues. The only required action in this 60-day session — passing a budget — has been done. Lawmakers are scheduled to consider overriding the governor’s lone line-item budget veto on Monday.

Gov. Dave Heineman took his red pen to a $14.5 million increase in Department of Roads funding that would require a 1.2 cent per gallon increase in the gasoline tax. Heineman also is expected to veto another road-funding measure (LB846), if it arrives on his desk. The bill has cleared two rounds of debate and awaits a final vote.

Lawmakers are on track to pass enhanced business incentives for companies that add large numbers of high-paying jobs (LB895). Among other major issues, lawmakers passed a ban on smoking in workplaces and public buildings and a “safe haven” bill allowing parents to abandon children at hospitals.

Should Nebraska’s workers comp cover mental trauma?

Should the store clerk who sees a co-worker assassinated before her eyes be able to get workers’ compensation benefits to help deal with resulting mental trauma? What about the police officer who responds to a horrific accident? Nebraska lawmakers debated those questions Wednesday without reaching a resolution.

They are expected to resume the debate next week. State Sen. Abbie Cornett of Bellevue thinks the answer to those questions should be yes. She is the main sponsor of LB1082, which would allow workers’ compensation for employees who witness –or are the victims of — violent crimes on the job. The bill also would allow workers’ compensation for firefighters, law enforcement officers and other first-responders who encounter “extraordinary and unusual” conditions on the job. A number of senators questioned whether employers should have to pay for the suffering caused by crime.

Sen. Scott Lautenbaugh of Omaha said the bill could dramatically expand workers’ compensation, with unknown effects on its costs. He said it could apply to all the people who were at work and witnessed the 9/11 attacks, for example. Under current Nebraska law, workers’ compensation covers physical injuries and accompanying mental trauma.

It does not cover mental trauma by itself. (Editor’s Note: The State Chamber opposes LB1082, which would drastically expand the Workers’ Comp Act.)

Nebraska is No. 7 healthiest state

Nebraska is No. 7 on a list released this week of the nation’s healthiest states published by CQ Press. The states were ranked based on 21 factors that reflect access to health care providers, emphasis on preventive care, how affordable health care is, and how generally healthy the population is. Nebraska dropped one position in the rankings from 2007.

Our access to primary care and the large number of hospital beds available across the state accounted for the strong rating, according to AOL.com. Minnesota was named the Healthiest State in America, beating out Vermont, which had claimed the title six of the past seven years. Vermont is third this year.

New Hampshire came in second, with Maine, Massachusetts and Iowa placing fourth, fifth and sixth. Mississippi came in last, with Louisiana, New Mexico, Nevada and Florida rounding out the bottom five.

Nebraska bill would expand workers’ comp coverage to mental illness

Employees who witness violent acts and suffer mental illnesses as a result would be eligible for workers’ compensation benefits under a bill discussed Thursday by state lawmakers. Several senators raised concerns about how much the proposal could cost the state and whether workers compensation premiums could increase. Senators didn’t vote on the bill before adjourning for lunch and then moving on to other measures.

Sen. Abbie Cornett of Bellevue said a violent act such as the Omaha mall shootings in December is a good example of why the bill (LB1082) is needed. She said that while Von Maur stepped up and paid for employees’ mental health treatment, other companies might not.

Sen. Scott Lautenbaugh of Omaha said the bill could represent a dramatic expansion of workers’ compensation. He introduced an amendment to narrow those covered to first responders, such as police officers, emergency medical personnel and firefighters. They already can get benefits for mental illnesses if they are accompanied by physical ailments. Cornett’s bill would let them claim benefits in the absence of physical trauma, too. In the case of a large, catastrophic event, such as the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, thousands of people could file claims as the bill is written now, Lautenbaugh said, because anyone in New York who saw the attacks from their workplace window might be affected. “That’s a huge population of potential claims,” Lautenbaugh said.

The proposed law’s cost was initially estimated at between $3.5 million and $26.7 million more a year in additional indemnity and medical compensation for state employees. After taking into account information from the six states that allow similar mental health claims, the estimation was lowered to $1 million to $15 million, Cornett said. But she agreed that the range was too wide, and said she was working to get a more definite estimate.

Neb. Community Improvement Program Calls for Entries

For 45 years, the Nebraska Community Improvement Program (NCIP) has recognized communities for outstanding community, economic and leadership development efforts. The program encourages communities to develop a community planning process then work to implement a plan with a strong reliance on community volunteers. NCIP, a program of the Nebraska Department of Economic Development, will be hosting several workshops to highlight program changes and assist new NCIP communities with the entry process. Workshop dates and locations are as follows:

• Tuesday, April 8, 4-6 p.m. in Loup City, Chamber of Commerce Office.
• Monday, April 14, 6:30-8:30p.m. (MST)in Alliance, Library Learning Center.
• Tuesday, April 15, 2-4 p.m. in Eustis, Senior Center.
• Thursday, April 24, 10 a.m.-noon in Nebraska City, American National Bank.
• Tuesday, April 29, 3-5 p.m. in Bassett, RC&D Building.
• Wednesday, May 7, 6-8 p.m. in Laurel, Community Learning Center.

Communities wanting to participate should submit the Intent to Enter, Community Goals sheet, and Government Resolution by March 31. These documents can be found in the NCIP Awards Guide, which can be downloaded at www.neded.org. To register for the training workshops or for more information, contact Lindsay Papenhausen at 800-426-6505, 402-471-6587, email: lindsay.papenhausen@ded.ne.gov. NCIP is sponsored by the following utilities, which provide cash awards for NCIP award recipients: Aquila, Glenwood Telephone, NorthWestern Energy, SourceGas, Northern Natural Gas, and Great Plains Communications.