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Posted: 07/19/12 08:27

Supporters and opponents of the federal health care law are squaring off in Nebraska in advance of a legislative briefing on the state's efforts to comply.The executive director of Americans for Prosperity-Nebraska cheered Republican Governor Dave Heineman Wednesday for his promise to fight any effort to expand Medicaid coverage. Meanwhile, Democratic U.S. Senator Ben Nelson accused Heineman of stalling to delay implementation of the law. The Legislature's Banking, Commerce and Insurance Committee is scheduled to meet Thursday for an update on the state's progress in following the law's requirements. Committee members are not expected to consider any bills, but Lincoln Senator Danielle Conrad sent a letter to the panel's two top lawmakers urging them to open the briefing for public testimony.
Senator Nelson is critical of Governor Heineman's stance on expanding Medicaid. Heineman has said the state cannot afford it, even if the federal government picks up 90-percent of the tab. Nelson counters that Nebraskans with health insurance are already picking up the tab of uncompensated health care. Nelson says the state should expand Medicaid and establish its own health insurance exchange.