Latest news with #NebraskaDepartmentofHealthandHumanServices
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Oglala Sioux Tribe sends measles alert after case in border county
SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — Officials on the Pine Ridge Reservation have sent an alert for Oglala Sioux Tribe members about Nebraska's first confirmed case of measles. On Tuesday, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services confirmed a measles case in Sheridan County, which is the Nebraska county directly south of Pine Ridge in South Dakota. National Parks head into prime season in South Dakota The Nebraska alert said, 'The patient is an appropriately vaccinated child with no out-of-state travel history.' Individuals present at the following public locations may have been exposed to measles and should visit and fill out the risk assessment survey. Family Dollar in Rushville, Nebraska, from 9 a.m. to noon on May 17 Gordon Clinic in Gordon, Nebraska, from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on May 21 The OST alert said 'your child can catch the Measles easily and its spreads quick. Contact your local IHS to find out if your child are caught up on the vaccinations.' In South Dakota, State Epidemiologist Joshua Clayton told KELOLAND News earlier this month that South Dakota's MMR vaccination rate is trailing behind the national average. 'We have decreased to the point where we had been almost very close to the national average and now, we're starting to dip a little bit below that national average,' Clayton said. The last measles outbreak in South Dakota was in 2015 with about eight to 10 cases. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
27-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Nebraska DHHS confirms measles case in Panhandle — state's first since 2017
Signs point the way to measles testing in the parking lot of the Seminole Hospital District on February 27, 2025, in Seminole, Texas. Nebraska confirmed its first measles case of the recent national surge. (Photo by) LINCOLN — Nebraska confirmed its first measles case of the recent national surge, this one in the state's Panhandle. The measles case involved an 'age-appropriately vaccinated child' in Sheridan County is the state's first since 2017, according to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. The child had no history of out-of-state travel. 'We are grateful the child's symptoms have been mild, and they are recovering,' said Jessica Davies, health director of the Panhandle Public Health District that covers 12 western counties. 'Those with known exposure have already been notified.' The state health agency said people may have been exposed to measles in two cities in the panhandle and advised them to visit and complete the state DHHS risk assessment survey. DHHS says people visiting the following locations may have been exposed to measles and are advised to visit and complete the state DHHS's risk assessment survey. Family Dollar in Rushville, 316 W 2nd St., on May 17 from 9 a.m. to noon Gordon Memorial Hospital Clinic in Gordon on May 21 from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Measles is a highly contagious airborne disease that spreads when an infected person breathes, coughs, or sneezes. It spreads easily when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes. It can cause severe disease, complications and even death. Symptoms include a high fever, cough, runny nose and a rash over the body. Being vaccinated is the best way to prevent getting sick with measles or spreading it to other people. Measles can affect anyone, but it is most common in children. The state health agency emphasizes that if an individual thinks they have symptoms of measles, they should isolate themselves and call a healthcare facility in advance to get tested. State health officials also said anyone with known measles exposure and no confirmed immunity needs to stay at home and away from others for 21 days from the last date of exposure. Vaccines have made measles rare in the U.S., leading to its elimination in 2000, but the politicization of vaccinations has played a part in the resurgence of measles in the U.S. Many nearby states have had a handful of measles cases. Kansas currently has 58 cases. Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen held a press conference in April with state health officials urging Nebraskans to get vaccinated against a disease that can cause serious health complications, especially for children under age five. At the time, Pillen said, 'It's not if it's going to come to Nebraska, but when.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Amended bill lifting lifetime ban on food aid for Nebraskans with a past drug felony advances
The Nebraska State Capitol. (Aaron Sanderford/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN — A measure to remove a lifetime ban on public food assistance for Nebraskans who have served sentences for drug felonies passed another hurdle Wednesday. An amended Legislative Bill 319, designated as a priority by Bellevue State Sen. Victor Rountree, advanced on a 31-14 vote to final reading. Current Nebraska law offers a narrow exception to the ban for people with one or two drug possession or drug use felony convictions. They can access Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, formerly known as food stamps, if they have completed a licensed and accredited treatment program. Rountree's bill would open the door for other felony drug offenders who currently can't access SNAP benefits, as long as they've completed their sentence or are on parole or under post-release supervision. An amendment that passed Wednesday, on a 32-14 vote, added a requirement that those with three or more felony drug convictions undergo a substance abuse treatment program to be eligible, unless a licensed health care provider determines that treatment is not necessary. State Sens. Mike Jacobson of North Platte and Carolyn Bosn of Lincoln worked with Rountree on the amendment. Bosn said she did not think that food should be withheld as a form of punishment. Jacobson said he felt strongly that a treatment component be included. He believes addiction is not a choice and is a disease that requires a constant and lifelong commitment to stay clean. 'If we want to try to keep them from reoffending, we need to give them every opportunity to try to be gainfully employed. And that starts with putting food on the table,' Jacobson said. He said 152,000 Nebraskans currently receive SNAP benefits and the proposed legislation, if enacted, could add about 1,000 more. SNAP benefits are fully paid with federal funds, though administrative costs are split between the state and federal government. A fiscal analysis said the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services could absorb the additional workload of administering the expansion without additional cost unless demand proved larger than anticipated. State Sens. Kathleen Kauth of Omaha and Bob Andersen of Sarpy County were among those voicing continued opposition. On first reading April 10, the measure moved forward on a 32-5 vote. Kauth said a concern was taxpayers 'being on the hook' for chronic offenders. 'At some point we have to put a barrier up that says, 'If you continue to make these choices to engage in criminal activity, the taxpayers deserve to say no more,'' she said. Andersen said the state pays for prosecution and incarceration. He added, 'At what point do we stop feeding the beast … At what point do we quit being enablers?' State Sen. Rob Dover of Norfolk characterized himself as a conservative who does not promote rewarding people for bad behavior. He said, however, he believes punishment should not be prolonged after a person has paid their debt. 'If you think someone should suffer longer, increase the sentence then,' he said. 'It should not just go on and on and on.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
25-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Nebraska bill would expand minors' rights to Social Security benefits
State Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha. March 31, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN — A bill that would mandate the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to screen state wards for Social Security benefit eligibility advanced Thursday to the second round of debate in the Legislature. Legislative Bill 275, which State Sen. Megan Hunt of Omaha named her priority legislation, moved forward on a 34-0 vote. DHHS currently intercepts the Social Security benefits belonging to children in foster care and uses those funds to offset the costs of the youths' care, according to Hunt's statement of intent. Her bill would 'bring Nebraska in line with federal law to provide further accountability, transparency, and conservation of a portion of the funds in a trust account for the youth's own use when they exit state care.' There was little to no debate surrounding the bill Thursday, except for some questioning of its financial impact on the state's general funds by two Republican lawmakers. Hunt insisted that her amended bill would impact the state budget less than her original proposal, but that it would still give kids in foster care access to more of their Social Security money than they have today. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Conflict arises during debate on bill to extend SNAP eligibility levels
An amendment by State Sen. Bob Andersen of north-central Sarpy County was at the center of debate Wednesday on the legislative floor. April 8, 2025. (Zach Wendling/Nebraska Examiner) LINCOLN — A bill that would extend an expanded eligibility threshold for Nebraska food benefits has advanced to its final lawmaking round, but not before a latecomer amendment that some described as hostile was debated and defeated. Legislative Bill 192, by State Sen. Dan Quick of Grand Island, calls for the elimination of an October expiration on Nebraska's current eligibility levels for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Right now, a key qualifier for households is if gross income is at or below 165% of the federal poverty level. If the Quick bill fails, the lower pre-pandemic income eligibility level of 130% of gross income is set to return. The SNAP program helps qualified recipients buy groceries. The federal government pays 100% of program benefits, and 50% of administrative costs. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, which administers the program, estimated that more than 4,000 families that otherwise might be disqualified because of income could remain on SNAP if the eligibility threshold is maintained. LB 192, which State Sen. John Cavanaugh of Omaha made his priority this session, ultimately advanced Tuesday by a voice vote and now moves on to a third and final reading. The bulk of debate came after State Sen. Bob Andersen of north-central Sarpy County tried to attach an amendment essentially mirroring his LB 656, which would prohibit DHHS from seeking federal waivers that make exceptions to SNAP work requirements, such as living in areas with high unemployment. Andersen said his proposal still would retain certain exceptions, including for caregivers of a child with disabilities, students enrolled at least half-time and teens ages 16 to 18 who are in training programs. But generally, he said, he wants able-bodied SNAP recipients to work. State Sen. Danielle Conrad of Lincoln led opposition to Andersen's amendment, peppering him with questions about rationale and cost. While a previous fiscal analysis of Andersen's LB 656 came with an estimated price tag of more than $2.2 million next fiscal year, Andersen told colleagues Wednesday that DHHS officials more recently told him expenses could be absorbed into their existing budget. That's because instead of requiring DHHS officials to help find work for impacted SNAP recipients, the agency 'may' help provide assignments. State Sen. Ashlei Spivey of Omaha said the Andersen amendment represented an approach she has seen this session of 'demonizing' and 'dehumanizing' the working class. Some Democratic lawmakers took issue with Andersen's late and 'hostile' amendment to someone else's bill, which Quick also opposed. State Sen. Wendy DeBoer of Omaha invoked the lyrics of Beyoncé — 'If you like it, then you shoulda put a ring on it' — to drive home her point that he should have 'prioritized' the effort as his own legislation. While Andersen's LB 656 was advanced out of a legislative committee and onto full debate by the Legislature, it was not prioritized and therefore is unlikely to be debated this session on its own. Some Republicans, however, defended Andersen's tactic as not extraordinary and said they supported his goal. State Sen. Rob Clements of Elmwood, chair of the budget-writing Appropriations Committee, said that if Andersen's amendment would add no state cost, he was supportive. State Sen. Ben Hansen of Blair said he saw Andersen's effort to ratchet up work requirements for the SNAP program as compatible and a 'good compromise' to Quick's effort to extend current eligibility levels. Hansen has brought similar legislation in the past. Hansen noted he was the only member of the Health and Human Services Committee who voted against pushing Quick's LB 192 out of the committee stage and onto the legislative floor. 'I think that's good governance,' Hansen said of the Andersen amendment, which ultimately failed 22-14, three votes short. 'To say that it's not, maybe I'm missing the point.' SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
