Effects

• The presence of health insurance law in Nebraska provides protection for residents and regulation for insurance companies. For example, the 2005 Health Care Prompt Payment Act mandates that insurance companies pay health care providers promptly for valid insurance claims, and can be forced to pay interest charges if they fail to do so.
  
  

Changes

• The U.S. Affordable Care Act of 2010 inspired concerns among Nebraska politicians and residents that more federal control would affect the health coverage given to the state's poorer population. While the federal program offers lower premiums, more limitations, such as a requirement that an applicant have lacked health coverage for six months to qualify, could be put in place.
  
  

Distinction

• Under state law, the Kids Connection program provides health coverage for children up to age 19 when their families cannot afford health insurance but earn too much to qualify for Medicaid. According to Families USA, the general income limit for state child health care coverage as of March 2007 was $25,326 for a family of two; $31,674 for a family of three; and $38,202 for a family of four.