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Health Care Reform

On Tuesday, March 23, 2010, historic health care reform was signed into law by the President. Below is information on Senator Nelson's views and other relevant information about this debate.

Health Care Reform Law

The health care reform bill, based on language that first passed the Senate, is available here. Congress also passed a "reconcilliation" bill that amended several provisions in the Senate bill. It is available here. Both have been signed into law by the President.

President Obama also signed an executive order reinforcing that the health care bill will not allow federal funds to be used to pay for elective abortions. The text of his executive order is available here.

Senator Nelson Fighting Unfunded Mandates for the States

Senator Nelson, a longtime foe of unfunded federal mandates as a former governor and now senator, blew the whistle on a $35 billion unfunded federal Medicaid mandate in health reform. Partisans and others immediately labeled and mischaracterized the Nebraska Medicaid provision in an effort to defeat health reform, but the fact is that Senator Nelson always sought relief for all states. The result of Senator Nelson's work is that all states are now protected from additional unfunded mandates in the health care bill.

To see a chronology of Senator Nelson's work fighting the unfunded Medicaid mandate, click here.

Soon after announcing his support for the Senate health reform bill, Senator Nelson spoke on the Senate floor about his work fighting the unfunded Medicaid mandate. A video of the floor speech is below:

What Does Reform Mean for Me?

General Information:  Healthcare.gov provides comprehensive information about health care reform and what it means for you. 

Businesses in Nebraska:

  • Click here to view a short summary of how the new law will affect small businesses in Nebraska.
  • Click here to view a report by the non-partisan Congressional Research Service with a detailed description of the law's requirements for businesses.

 

Nelson-Hatch Amendment

On Monday, December 7, 2009, Senator Nelson, Senator Orrin Hatch, Senator Robert Casey and others introduced the bipartisan Nelson-Hatch Amendment to extend the existing ban on federal funding for abortion to the Senate health care bill. The full amendment is available by clicking here.

To view Senator Nelson's speech introducing the amendment, click here.

Public Meetings on Health Care Reform

Over August and September 2009, Senator Nelson held a series of public meetings across the state to speak with Nebraskans about health care reform. 

Senator Nelson held town halls on Sunday, September 27 in McCook and Scottsbluff, on Monday, August 24 in North Platte and Kearney, on Tuesday, August 25 in Norfolk and South Sioux City, on Wednesday, August 19 in Omaha and on Thursday, August 20 in Lincoln. 

If you were unable to attend the meetings, don't hesitate to contact Senator Nelson with your questions, comments, and stories about health care by clicking here. 

Video of Meetings

 

Time Warner Cable has taped the Lincoln meeting and offers it to subscribers on Nebraska On Demand, channel 101.

Senator Nelson on Health Care Reform

In His Own Words:

 

Nelson in the News:

 

Tell Senator Nelson What You Think

Contact Senator Nelson with your questions, comments, and stories about health care reform by clicking here. 

Updated: August 2010