Hassebrook supports LB887

LB 887, the Wellness in Nebraska Act, will be debated today on the floor of the Unicameral. Democratic candidate for Governor Chuck Hassebrook has issued the following statement in support of LB 887:

“Nebraska lawmakers are again face-to-face with one of the most important issues of the year. Today the merits of LB 887, the Wellness in Nebraska Act (WIN), will be debated on the floor of the legislature. This is a law that, if passed, would extend much needed healthcare to 54,000 hard-working Nebraskans.

Chuck Hassebrook. Photo Courtesy of Meg Mandy.

“There are two primary beneficiaries of Medicaid expansion in Nebraska — the working poor, who are struggling to make ends meet from one, two, or even three low wage jobs that don’t provide their workers with healthcare, and the other is every individual and every employer that buys private insurance.

“We faced this same decision last year, and have since lost millions of federal dollars that could have been used to take care of our neighbors right here in Nebraska. Instead, Governor Heineman and a filibustering majority of the Legislature caused Nebraskans to pay twice. We pay federal taxes to fund this program and we pay higher insurance premiums to cover emergency room medical care for those who were denied Medicaid.

“We must stop playing political games with the lives and well being of fellow Nebraskans. It’s time to start caring for our neighbors again and do what is best for all Nebraskans by supporting and passing LB 887 today.”