NE Medicaid Expansion: Birth of an Entitlement Nation

The purpose of this article is to sketch a short history of Medicaid.  Why? “We study the past to understand the present; we understand the present to guide the future."     -- William Lund Nebraskans are, even now, being asked to sign a petition to put the question of whether to expand the state's Medicaid program […]

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To the Governor: Nebraska Passes Right to Try Act Rejecting Some FDA Restrictions on Terminal Patients

LINCOLN, Neb. (April 19, 2018) – On Wednesday, the Nebraska legislature gave final approval to a bill that would set the foundation to nullify in practice some Food and Drug Administration (FDA) rules that deny access to experimental treatments by terminally ill patients. Sen. Bob Hilkemann (R-Omaha) introduced Legislature Bill 117 (LB117) last year and…

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NE Medicaid Expansion: The Race is On (AGAIN)

Back on January 17, 2013, I published an article here at the GiN website entitled “NE Medicaid Expansion: The Race is On.”  I followed up with an entire series of articles detailing why Medicaid expansion is an uncommonly bad idea.  Those articles were widely read and, I believe, effective in helping to prevent Medicaid expansion […]

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A Tribute to GiN Founder Shelli J. Dawdy

We could begin this eulogy with a recitation of the usual facts and statistics, but we won't. This is an unusual remembrance for an unusual lady: Shelli J. Dawdy. She admonished us to keep this short because, in her opinion, long obituaries grow boring. We have no doubt she would most like to be remembered […]

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Signed by the Governor: Nebraska Law Limits ALPR Data, Helps Block National License Plate Tracking Program

LINCOLN, Neb. (Feb. 15, 2018) – Yesterday, Nebraska Gov. Pete Ricketts signed a bill into law that puts limitations on the storage and sharing of information collected by Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) by law enforcement in the state, and places significant roadblocks in the way of a federal program using states to help track…

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To the Governor: Nebraska Passes Bill to Limit ALPR Data, Help Block National License Plate Tracking Program

LINCOLN, Neb. (Feb. 8, 2018) – Today, the Nebraska legislature unanimously passed a bill that would put limitations on the storage and sharing of information collected by Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) by law enforcement in the state, and place significant roadblocks in the way of a federal program using states to help track the…

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Nebraska Bill Would Expand Healthcare Freedom

LINCOLN, Neb. (Jan. 26, 2018) – A bill filed in the Nebraska Senate would help facilitate healthcare freedom outside of government insurance regulatory schemes. Sen. Merv Riepe (R-D12) introduced Legislature Bill 1119 (LB1119) on January 18. The legislation specifies that direct primary care agreements (sometimes called medical retainer agreements) do not constitute insurance, thereby freeing doctors and patients…

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Permission Not Required: Constitutional Carry Bill up for Consideration in Nebraska

LINCOLN, Neb. (Jan. 9, 2018) – A so-called  “Constitutional Carry” bill introduced in the Nebraska legislature would make it legal for most Nebraskans to carry a firearm without a license, and foster an environment hostile to federal gun control. Sen. Tom Brewer (R-43) introduced Legislative Bill 502 (LB502) last year and it will carry over…

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Nebraska Bill Would Limit ALPR Data, Help Block National License Plate Tracking Program

LINCOLN, Neb. (Jan. 8, 2018) – A bill filed in the Nebraska legislature would put limitations on the storage and sharing of information collected by Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) by law enforcement in the state, and place significant roadblocks in the way of a federal program using states to help track the location of…

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Nebraska Bill Would Legalize Medical Marijuana, Foundation to Nullify Federal Prohibition

LINCOLN, Neb. (Jan. 27, 2016) – A Nebraska bill would legalize medical marijuana for qualifying patients in the state, effectively nullifying the unconstitutional federal prohibition on the same. Introduced by Sen. Anna Wishart (N-Lincoln) and 10 co-sponsors, LB622 would allow any “Nebraska resident who has been diagnosed with a qualifying medical condition by a participating…

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