ONE HUNDRED NINTH LEGISLATURE - FIRST SESSION - 2025
COMMITTEE STATEMENT
LB312
Hearing Date: Friday February 07, 2025
Committee On: Health and Human Services
Introducer: Strommen
One Liner: Provide for student loans to students in nurse anesthesia practice programs and loan repayments
for nurse anesthetists under the Rural Health Systems and Professional Incentive Act
Roll Call Vote - Final Committee Action:
Advanced to General File
Vote Results:
Aye: 6 Senators Ballard, Fredrickson, Hansen, Hardin, Meyer, Quick
Nay: 1 Senator Riepe
Absent:
Present Not Voting:
Testimony:
Proponents: Representing:
Senator Paul Strommen Opening Presenter
Kris Rohde Nebraska Association of Nurse Anesthetists
Brielle Stutzman Nebraska Association of Nurse Anesthetists
Shayla Steenson Nebraska Association of Nurse Anesthetists
Lauren Stauffer Nebraska Association of Nurse Anesthetists
Caleb Rice Nebraska Association of Nurse Anesthetists
Sharon Hadenfelt Nebraska Association of Nurse Anesthetists
Opponents: Representing:
Neutral: Representing:
* ADA Accommodation Written Testimony
Summary of purpose and/or changes:
Under current law, health professions (i.e. physicians, dentist, mental health practitioners, physical therapists), under
the Rural Health Systems and Professional Incentive Act, are eligible for student loans or loan repayment. LB 312
adds nurse anesthetists to these health professions.
Sec. 1: Includes nurse anesthetist in the student loan program under the Rural Health Systems and Professional
Incentive Act.
Sec. 2: Includes nurse anesthetist in receiving financial assistance through loan repayments. Nurse anesthetists
shall be limited to $15,000 per recipient per year of a full-time practice in a designated health profession shortage
Committee Statement: LB312
Health and Human Services Committee
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Sec. 3: Adds nurse anesthesia practice to the list of health professions practices that the Rural Health Commission
periodically designates as health profession shortage areas.
Sec. 4: Adds nurse anesthetist as a loan repayment recipient that executes an agreement with DHHS and a local
entity. As a loan repayment recipient, a nurse anesthetist must agree to practice in a designated health profession
shortage area for at least 3 years and accepts Medicaid patients. In consideration of the agreement, the State of
Nebraska and a local entity within the designated health profession shortage area will provide equal funding for the
repayment of the recipient’s qualified educational debts for up to $15,000 per year per recipient for nurse anesthetists
as well as the currently listed health professions for up to 3 years.
Brian Hardin, Chairperson
Committee Statement: LB312
Health and Human Services Committee
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