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ANDREW: AN ESTIMATED 94,000 LOW INCOME NEBRASKANS WILL HAVE TO WAIT ANOTHER 18 MONTHS BEFORE THEY CAN BEGIN TO RECEIVE THE EXPANDED MEDICAID COVERAGE THAT VOTERS APPROVED LAST NOVEMBER. THAT DOESN’T SIT WELL WITH STATE SENATOR ADAM MORFELD. >> IT’S UNBELIEVABLE HOW THE PEOPLE CAN GO AND CLEARLY MAKE THEIR WILL KNOWN, AND THE GOVERNOR CAN DRAG HIS FEET FOR TWO YEARS AND USE THE EXCUSE "WELL, WE’VE GOT TO GET IT DONE RIGHT." WELL, A BUNCH OF STATES HAVE GOTTEN IT DONE RIGHT AND GOTTEN IT DONE WITHIN SIX MONTHS, NOT TWO YEARS. ANDREW: IN HIS STATE OF THE STATE ADDRESS, THE GOVERNOR SAID HE PLANNED TO IMPLEMENT EXPANSION AND INCLUDED FUNDING IN HIS BUDGET TO LAWMAKERS. >> WE NEVER HAD A SOLID GO LIVE UNTIL YESTERDA ANDREW: TUESDAY, THE DIRECTOR OF THE DIVISION OF MEDICAID AND LONG-TERM CARE AT DHHS MET WITH STATE SENATORS TO ADDRESS QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PLAN AND TIME TABLE. >> WHEN YOU RUSH THROUGH THAT AND YOU DON’T THINK THROUGH ALL THOSE BUSINESS SYSTEM PIECES, IT CAN BEGIN TO CAUSE PROBLEMS. THE LAST THING THAT WE WANT DO IS GET IN A SITUATION WHERE WE HAVE PUT PEOPLE ON A BENEFIT PROGRAM THEY ARE NOT ENTITLED TO. ANDREW: SOME SENATORS ARE ALSO CONCERNED THE TWO-TIER SYSTEM, WHICH THE DEPARMTMENT IS -- DEPARTMENT IS PROPOSING, IS ILLEGAL. IT WOULD REQUIRE A PERSON TO BE WORKING, IN SCHOOL, OR VOLUNTEERING IN COMMUNITY SERVICE TO RECIEVE PRIME COVERAGE. >> THE BALLOT INITIATIVE WAS VERY CLEAR, THAT WE DON’T OFFER A DIFFERENT TYPE OF COVERAGE TO THESE FOLK THAN WE ARE ALREADY OFFERING TO INDIVIDUALS WHO AR RECEIVING COVERAGE. ANDREW: MORFELD SAYS HE’S EVEN CONSIDERING SUING THE STATE. >> WE’RE LOOKING AT OUR OPTIONS IN COURT RIGHT NOW. ANDREW: IN LINCOLN, ANDREW OZAKI, KETV NEWSWA

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Some Nebraska lawmakers want to know why it will take more than twice as long as other states to implement voter-approved medicaid expansion.Gov. Pete Ricketts and the Department of Health and Human Services announced Oct.1 2020 will be the launch date for the state's Heritage Health Adult program. That timeline doesn't set will with State Sen. Adam Morfeld. "It's unbelievable how the people can go and clearly make their will known and the governor can drag his feet for two years and use the excuse, well, we've got to get it done right. Well, a bunch of states have gotten it done right and gotten it done within six months, not two years," Morfeld said.In his State of the State Address, the governor said he planned to implement expansion and included funding in his proposed budget to lawmakers."We never had a solid go live until yesterday," Dr Matthew Van Patton, the director of Medicaid and Long-term care for D.H.H.S said.On Tuesday, Van Patton and other D.H.H.S officials met with senators on the Legislature's Health and Human Services Committee to address questions about the plan and how long it would take to implement."Making sure we have a strong provider network available, so that the beneficiary can get access to the providers and the specialists that met their care needs is primary," Van Patton said.He said they also have to upgrade their business systems and technology is up-to-date. "When you rush through that and you don't think through all those business system pieces it can begin to cause problems. The last thing that we want to do is place people on a benefit program they are not entitled to," Van Patton said.Senators are also concerned that the two-tier system D.H.H.S is proposing is illegal. The plan would require a person who wishes to receive "prime coverage," which includes dental, vision and over-the-counter drug coverage, to be working, in school or volunteering in community service. "The ballot initiative was very clear, that we don't offer a different coverage to these folks than we are already offering to individuals who are already receiving coverage," State Sen. Sara Howard, the chairwoman of the Legislature's Health and Human Services committee.Morfeld says he's considering suing the state."We're looking at our options in court right now," Morfeld said."We willing to take it all the way."