Editor's Pick Health groups collaborating to help Nebraska's rural hospitals MATT OLBERDING Lincoln Journal Star Jan 31, 2023 Jan 31, 2023 Updated Feb 15, 2023 0 Facebook Twitter Bluesky WhatsApp SMS Email Print Copy article link Save In 2019, Community Medical Center in Falls City had to make a tough decision.kAmQp7E6C `__ J62CD @7 56=:G6C:?8 323:6D[ H6 DE@AA65 @FC =23@C 2?5 56=:G6CJ D6CG:46D[Q D2:5 #J2? {2CD@?[ rt~ @7 E96 9@DA:E2= :? u2==D r:EJ]k^AmkAm{2CD@? D2:5 E96 9@DA:E2= 2=D@ C646?E=J E@=5 E96 #:492C5D@? r@F?EJ $96C:77 E92E :E H@F=5 ?@ =@?86C AC@G:56 >65:42= D6CG:46D E@ :?>2E6D 2E E96 4@F?EJ ;2:=]k^AmkAm%9@D6 2C6 E96 <:?5D @7 QE@F89 564:D:@?DQ E92E CFC2= 9@DA:E2=D 2C6 72465 H:E9 E96D6 52JD :? 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Nebraska hospital leaders sound alarm on hospital capacity The "tripledemic" of COVID-19, flu and RSV cases has put pressure on hospitals that are struggling to find enough beds for all the patients.
Nebraska hospitals say it's getting harder to get insurers to pay them State hospitals report an increase in the time it takes to get paid as well as a jump in claims denials.
Pillen zeroes in on Nebraska workforce development, tax reduction In his first monthly statewide radio call-in show, Gov. Jim Pillen on Monday delivered a conservative message of less taxes, less government.
Nebraska lawmakers hear arguments over bill to pay teens less than minimum wage A proposal to let Nebraska employers pay less than minimum wage to teenagers generates heated arguments over whether it would hurt or help you…
Caps for superintendent pay packages pushed in Nebraska Legislature A key state lawmaker took aim Tuesday at Nebraska's highest paid school superintendents with a bill that would cap superintendent salary and b…
Nebraska state employees union ratifies new labor contract containing highest salary increases in 35 years Members of the state's employees union have ratified a new labor contract that contains the highest salary increases in more than 35 years.
Nebraska hospitals say being unable to discharge some patients reaching 'crisis' level According to a report from the Nebraska Hospital Association, there were 227 patients awaiting a discharge last month, nearly half of whom hav…