New Medicaid funding bill would help one hospital with current services

Pending approval from the Governor, LB 1087 will provide the Pender Community Hospital with an additional $2-3 million per year, according to Laura Gamble, CEO of the hospital district.

The Nebraska Legislature passed the bill last week, 45-0, which will increase Medicaid funding for hospitals in the state.

Many hospitals across the state, especially rural ones, report financial struggles following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pender’s hospital would like to expand services at some point, Gamble said.

“And yes, we would like to add services, but this money will just help us continue the services we have and help us with our budget quite a bit,” she said.

The hospital would like to be able to expand their outpatient clinic with more specialty services down the road, Gamble said. This could include expanded radiology, surgeries, mental health, child care, senior care and maternity care.

Growing the amount of specialty services in a local setting cuts down on transportation for patients with similar rates, a hospital spokesperson said.

She said 11% of patients at Pender Community Hospital are on Medicaid.