Nebraska LB 71: Change Requirements for Child Care Reimbursement Rates
Below is an excerpt from testimony submitted to the Health and Human Services Committee on January 23, 2025.
As a member of the Nebraska Chapter of the National Association of Social Workers and an Assistant Professor at UNO’s Grace Abbott School of Social Work, I am writing to express my strong support for LB71. While I am writing as a member of the Nebraska Chapter of NASW and do not speak for the university, I do so with deep passion and as a dedicated advocate for Nebraska’s families and children.
LB71 represents a vital step forward in addressing the challenges facing our childcare system. By lowering the tiered reimbursement threshold for childcare subsidy participation, this bill will expand opportunities for low-income families and address the critical shortage of childcare providers willing to accept subsidy payments. Many providers are unable or unwilling to participate due to the current inadequate reimbursement rates. By lowering the threshold to Step 2, LB71 offers higher reimbursement rates earlier in the process, encouraging more providers to join the program. This means more high-quality childcare options for parents who have been forced to make difficult decisions about affordability, accessibility, and quality.