..do justice, love mercy, walk humbly with God. (Micah 6:8)
Following is a partial list of current legislation we are following or on which we are advocating (listed in numerical order - not in terms of priority):
Nebraska Unicameral
LB 50: Would add sexual orientation to the list of protected categories in the Nebraska Fair Housing Act. Our position: Support. ELCA Policy Base: Harassment, Assault, and Discrimination Due to Sexual Orientation, Church Council Action CC.93.3.37 (1993), Bill Status
LB 101: Would require Medicaid reimbursement for intensive early intervention behavioral therapy to children with autism spectrum disorder. Our Position: Support. ELCA Policy Base: ELCA Social Statement on Caring for Health: Our Shared Endeavor "This social statement continues and strengthens our church's advocacy for health care. Improving access to health care and finding adequate support for public health and preventive, acute, and long-term care services for all are critical advocacy challenges." Bill Status
LB 128: Would create criminal penalties for those who interfere with visitation between a child and a person who has court ordered visitation rights. Our Position: Information Only. ELCA Policy Base: None.
LB 130: Under current law, a respondent to a housing complaint may request and receive copies of information derived from or obtained during an investigation of a complaint. Our Position: Support. ELCA Policy Base: ELCA Social Statement on Sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All. Christians who have shelter are called to care, called to walk with homeless people in their struggle for a more fulfilling life and for adequate, affordable, and sustainable housing.” . . . “Walking with people who are homeless includes the responsibility to prevent homelessness.” . . .“We are called to be aware of and concerned for people in our midst who are vulnerable to losing their housing.” Rationale: Housing discrimination limits the opportunities for those who are poor to obtain adequate, affordable, and sustainable housing. Current law discourages reporting of housing discrimination because information derived from or obtain during an investigation is available to the person against whom the complaint was filed.
LB 180: Would create a special legislative committee to foster better understanding of the issues surrounding the relationship between the government of the State of Nebraska and the federally recognized tribes within the state. Our Position: Support. ELCA Policy Base: ELCA Social Statement on Freed in Christ: Race, Ethnicity, and Culture.
LB 208: Would provide $1.75 million in funding for the five community health centers created by the Federal Program 330, PL 104-299. Our Position: Support. ELCA Policy Base: ELCA Social Statement on Caring for Health: Our Shared Endeavor and ELCA Social Statement on Sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All.
LB 280: Would create a task force to examine issues related to trafficking of persons in the state of Nebraska (for prostitution, servitude, and slavery, etc.) Our Position: Support. ELCA Policy Base: ELCA Social Statement on Caring for Health: Our Shared Endeavor, ELCA Social Statement on Sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All, ELCA Social Statement on Freed in Christ: Race, Ethnicity, and Culture, and ELCA Social Statement on Church in Society: A Lutheran Perspective
LB 264: Focuses on prevention of child abuse and neglect. Our Position: Support. ELCA Policy Base: ELCA Message on Community Violence and ELCA Social Statement on Church in Society: A Lutheran Perspective
LB 312: Would make a number of changes to the Employment and Growth Act that would require employers receiving investment tax credits to offer wages that support self-sufficiency. Our Position: Support. ELCA Policy Base: ELCA Social Statement on sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All
LB 433: Would allow employer to chose the physician or other health care provider to treat an injured employee in a Worker's Compensation claim. Our Position: Oppose. ELCA Policy Base: ELCA Social Statement on Sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All "Employers have a responsibility to treat employees with dignity and respect. This should be reflected in employees' remuneration, benefits, work conditions, job security, and ongoing job training. Employees have a responsibility to work to the best of their potential in a reliable and responsible manner. This includes work habits, attitudes toward employers and co-workers, and a willingness to adapt and prepare for new work situations. No one should be coerced to work under conditions that violate their dignity or freedom, jeopardize their health or safety, result in neglect of their family's well-being, or provide unjust compensation for their labor." ELCA Social Statement on Caring for Health: Our Shared Endeavor "Healing depends on the relationship between the physician or other health care professional and the patient. This relationship should be a partnership of trust in pursuit of a shared goal appropriate to each individual’s circumstances. Central to this relationship is recognition of the patient’s vulnerability and respect for patient confidentiality and the privacy of medical information. Bill Status
LB 511: Would reduce reimbursement for child care provider under Title XX from 60-75% to 50%. Our Position: Oppose. ELCA Policy Base: ELCA Social Statement on sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All Bill Status
LB 554: Would increase the state minimum wage incrementally over the next 3 years. Our Position: Support. ELCA Policy Base: ELCA Social Statement on sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All Bill Status
LB 586: Would require the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to utilize any and all options and waivers available under the federal Food Stamps Program. Our Position: Support. ELCA Policy Base: ELCA Social Statement on sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All Bill Status
LB 590: Would exempt employers from using the protections under Worker Compensation law to limit their liability for intentional or willful injuries to employees. Our Position: Support. ELCA Policy Base: ELCA Social Statement on sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All, ELCA Social Statement on Caring for Health: Our Shared Endeavor Bill Status
LB 655: Would create a task force to study and to make recommendations to the legislature that would enhance the ability of small employers to provide health care coverage for their employees. Our Position: Support. ELCA Policy Base: ELCA Social Statement on sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All, ELCA Social Statement on Caring for Health: Our Shared Endeavor. Bill Status: Indefinitely Postponed (i.e., it won't be considered in this session).
LB 709 as Amended: Recognizes the importance the Medicaid program plays in providing health care to many Nebraskans; calls for a plan to reform the Medicaid program in Nebraska based on the recommendations of 10 person committee appointed by the legislature (including the solicitation of and for public input into the plan); would create a plan to encourage the purchase of long term care insurance. Our Position: Oppose. ELCA Policy Base: ELCA Social Statement on sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All, ELCA Social Statement on Caring for Health: Our Shared Endeavor. We are certainly not opposed to examining the Medicaid program as it operates in Nebraska for purpose of making it a more effective program that can operate more efficiently (although the administrative costs of the Medicaid program are quite low compared to those of private health care insurance and Medicaid. We believe, however, that cost containment, which was the original intent of the bill, should not be the primary driving force for Medicaid reform. We further believe there are other factors outside of the program that are driving up the costs of providing health care to low income people.
Federal Legislation:
Budget: The Administration's proposed budget, currently before Congress for consideration, calls for deep cuts in domestic relief programs as well as substantial cuts to entitlement programs such as Medicaid. Our Position: The ELCA is opposed to these spending cuts and urges action. ELCA Policy Base: ELCA Social Statement on Sufficient, Sustainable Livelihood for All. For more information about the Federal Budget and how you can take action, click on the following link: Take Action! [ELCA Advocacy]
Social Security: The ELCA has joined 15 other religious organizations in a letter addressing the President's proposed Social Security reforms.
Terms and Definitions: