STATES SHIELDING CONSUMERS FROM HIGH COVID-19 TEST COSTS

WASHINGTON - States are trying to step in to protect patients from high costs associated with coronavirus tests. From Washington to Tennessee, officials are issuing regulations to tamp down on costs, concerned that the federal government is failing to do the job.

The costs of tests are, in some cases, staggering. One national insurer was billed $6,946 for a coronavirus test in Texas. In Oklahoma, health plans received 175 out-of-network claims for coronavirus tests over a single week that ranged from $153 to $2,315 per test, said Laura Fleet, executive director of the Oklahoma Association of Health Plans.

High costs could dissuade patients from getting tested — thereby setting back surveillance.

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LINCOLN POLICE OFFICER TESTS POSITIVE FOR CORONAVIRUS

LINCOLN- A Lincoln police officer who worked during protests over the last week has tested positive for the coronavirus. This is the the Lincoln Police Department's first confirmed coronavirus case. 

In a press release, the department said the officer decided to get tested as a precaution after working during the demonstrations that took place in Lincoln over the last week over racism and police brutality. Similar demonstrations attracting hundreds and even thousands of protesters have taken place in Omaha, too, with some bracing for the possibility of a resulting spike in coronavirus cases. 

The Lincoln officer does not currently have any symptoms and is quarantining. He or she has not been in contact with other police department employees or the public since starting the quarantine. No other LPD employees have tested positive, but employees who had contact with the officer have been contacted and encouraged to get tested. 

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MILLARD STUDENTS LIKELY WEAR MASKS IN THE FALL, AND OTHER DISTRICTS HAVEN'T RULED IT OUT

MILLARD- Students in the Millard Public Schools will likely be wearing masks at school in the fall and could face other substantial changes because of COVID-19. The district has ordered 60,000 masks, two masks for every teacher and student, officials said.

There would be some exceptions to wearing masks — for instance, medically fragile children, an official said. The school board was briefed Monday on the district’s preliminary plans for reopening buildings for the 2020-21 school year. Under the plans floated by district administrators, kids would be washing and sanitizing hands repeatedly throughout the day, coming and going from classes.

“We are ordering buckets and gallons of hand sanitizer,” said Chad Meisgeier, the district’s chief financial officer.

Teachers and paraprofessionals would be asked to help wipe down desks between every class period.

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FEDERAL TAX CHANGES IN CORONAVIRUS RELIEF MEASURE COULD CAUSE $250 MILLION HIT TO NEBRASKA COFFERS

LINCOLN — Federal tax changes could put major property tax relief even further out of reach and worsen Nebraska’s fiscal woes this year. A recent Nebraska Department of Revenue analysis estimated that the federal changes would cut state tax revenues by $250 million over three years. The reduction would be on top of the revenue losses expected because of the coronavirus.

State Sen. Lou Ann Linehan of Elkhorn, who chairs the Legislature’s Revenue Committee, said the tax changes will create additional challenges for Nebraska lawmakers when they reconvene in July to finish putting together a state budget and addressing tax policy questions.

“There’s many, many unknowns,” she said. “We need to look at each one of those and see how it fits in the whole puzzle.”As part of that examination, Linehan said the state should consider whether to allow the federal tax changes to automatically affect state tax liability. But Sen. John Stinner of Gering, the Appropriations Committee chairman, argued against undoing the state effects of the federal tax changes, saying that would be contrary to the economy-boosting intent of the federal legislation 

The Revenue Department analysis shows that changes to corporate income taxes account for the bulk of the revenue losses, an estimated $230 million in the three fiscal years ending June 30, 2023. The changes affect limits on charitable contribution deductions, handling of business losses and deductions of business interest, among other things. 

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PAST DUE: MAJORITY OF EMERGENCY AIDE TO PROVIDERS NOT PAID OUT BY TRUMP ADMINISTRATION

WASHINGTON - Months after Congress approved $175 billion in emergency aid to health providers, the Trump administration has yet to pay out the majority of the funds — nearly $100 billion — amid a series of setbacks and internal uncertainty over how best to distribute the money. At least 1,900 health centers across the country have temporarily closed already, with a growing number of providers furloughing staff to keep afloat. What federal aid has gone out has largely missed those that care primarily for the poorest and most vulnerable Americans.

Republicans led by Sen. Chuck Grassley pressured health officials in private over the past few weeks, at one point threatening to go public with their criticisms if the administration failed to pick up the pace. The Trump administration has blamed much of the holdup on state health departments that have been slow to provide information critical to determining which providers should qualify for the next round of funding.

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MORE SUPPORT FOR CMS TELEHEALTH POLICIES

WASHINGTON - Federal Trade Commission staff supports CMS’ temporary telehealth policies during the national emergency but suggests removing any remaining barriers to access, says a new comment letter filed with the agency. CMS should also consider whether some of these temporary telehealth policies should remain permanent.

Making telehealth easier to access “could potentially enhance competition, improve access and quality, and decrease health care costs in both the public and private sectors,” the letter reads.

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NEARLY 26,000 NURSING HOME RESIDENTS HAVE DIED FROM COVID-19, NEWLY RELEASED DATA SHOWS

WASHINGTON- Newly released data from the U.S. government show that nearly 26,000 nursing home residents have died from COVID-19 and more than 60,000 have fallen ill. These figures, however, don't account for all nursing homes across the country.

According to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, known as CMS, about 80% of nursing homes nationwide reported data to the CDC as is now required. The remaining 20% could face fines if they don't comply. CMS Administrator Seema Verma told reporters on a conference call Monday that the data has limitations: Some facilities have reported cumulative figures, and some have reported weekly. She said she expects the discrepancies will even out over time. The figures will be publicly available Thursday on a government website called Nursing Home Compare. 

CMS also announced Monday that it will be stepping up fines for nursing homes that fail to sufficiently control infections. Nursing homes that have previously been cited for lax infection control could receive fines ranging from $5,000 to $20,000.

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EXPOSURE NOTIFICATION APPS USHER IN NEW PRIVACY BILL

WASHINGTON - Congress is on the beat for contact-tracing apps. On Tuesday, a bipartisan group led by Senate Commerce ranking Democrat Maria Cantwell of Washington and Bill Cassidy (R-La.) introduced a bill to require that public health agencies be involved before notifications can go out, our Tech colleague John Hendel reports.

The Exposure Notification Privacy Act would also require that consumers be able to give consent, opt out whenever they like, and delete their own data. “This bill defends privacy when someone voluntarily joins with others to stop the spread of Covid-19,” Cassidy said.

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GRAND ISLAND OFFICIALS LIKEN 1980 TORNADOES TO COVID-19

GRAND ISLAND - Tragedies such as tornadoes and a deadly virus show a community’s resiliency. They’re also an opportunity for city leaders to make things better than they were, according to the president of the Grand Island Area Chamber of Commerce. When you live through a tornado or a virus, “you can come out of them either better than you were before or you can come out of them a victim,” said Cindy Johnson.

Johnson is grateful for leaders like Wayne Bennett, who was Grand Island’s public works director when South Locust was widened. Sidewalks, lighting and greenscaping were added.

Sometimes it’s easy for a leader to “just hold the line” and keep things at the status quo. “It’s much more challenging to be a visionary leader” and “see what the possibilities are,” Johnson said.

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RICKETTS CONCERNED VIRUS WILL FLARE AGAIN WITH ON-GOING PROTESTS

LINCOLN - Nebraska could see another flare-up of coronavirus cases because of the demonstrations over the death of George Floyd, but state officials concluded that allowing protesters to peacefully vent was more important than concerns about the pandemic.

Protests in Omaha and Lincoln have each drawn more than 1,000 people, often clustered into large groups as they confront law enforcement officers. Some protesters and officers haven't worn masks, ignoring the recommendation of public health officials.

Ricketts said he discussed concerns about the virus with other public officials, but decided that the protesters' free-speech rights “outweigh the concerns about the pandemic."

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LINCOLN PUBLIC SCHOOLS CONSIDERING SEVERAL STAGGERED SCHOOL SCHEDULES FOR FALL, WANT PARENTS’ OPINIONS

LINCOLN – A survey Lincoln Public Schools plans to send to parents Thursday offers a glimpse of the scenarios the state’s second-largest district is considering for school this fall. The survey will ask parents which of the following options would work best for their families if the COVID-19 situation is severe enough that schools can’t operate normally:

* Students go to school every day for half a day.

* Students attend school every other week and attend classes via Zoom on the weeks they’re home. Students at home wouldn’t be on Zoom all six hours, but for a more limited time.

* Students participate in all classes virtually via Zoom conferences at specific times.

Matt Larson, associate superintendent for instruction, stressed that no decision has yet been made and the district is following guidance from the Nebraska Department of Education, the CDC and local health department.

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UNL FACILITY MAKES PROTEIN THAT COULD BE USED TO TREAT SEVERE CASES OF COVID-19

LINCOLN - Officials with a University of Nebraska-Lincoln College of Engineering facility were working with a company to develop a recombinant protein for another use when the coronavirus struck. The company, which is involved in drug discovery, determined the protein could be used to treat the effects of the coronavirus, said Dennis Hensen, project manager with the Biological Process Development Facility.

The protein would not be a cure but could provide an option for people with advanced cases of COVID-19 to either prevent the need for or reduce time on a ventilator, said Scott Johnson, the facility’s production manager.

The next step for the company will be to conduct safety testing in animals. That testing must be completed before the firm could seek approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for clinical trials in people.

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LINCOLN SENATOR SAYS RECENT EVENTS HAVE SHAKEN HER 'TO THE CORE'

LINCOLN- The killing of George Floyd has impacted people in ways that the many other recent shootings and killings of black people in America have not.

Many have said they really didn't understand the extent of the racial inequality in this country — inequality and discrimination that has been highly present for 400 years — but now they are ready to listen and learn. So it is with this Nebraska lawmaker, Lincoln Sen. Suzanne Geist, who has been so disturbed by the Floyd killing she took to Twitter this week to talk about it. The May 25 killing of Floyd in Minneapolis, a city 6½ hours by car from her home, opened Geist's eyes wide. 

On Wednesday, she started the conversation on Twitter. 

"This post has been one that’s very difficult to find the right words but I must say something. The tragic events we’ve watched over the past week have helped expose a deep wound in our society that must be discussed and acted upon," she tweeted. "It has shook me to the core that this is happening and I didn't see it," she said. 

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DEMOCRATS CLAMOR FOR CLEAN ENERGY AID

WASHINGTON – “Democratic lawmakers — led by Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.) and House E&C Environment Subcommittee Chair Paul Tonko — are calling on congressional leadership to help the clean energy sector as part of any new economic recovery legislation, amid reports that the sector already lost nearly 600,000 jobs due to the coronavirus pandemic. The lawmakers are seeking to extend and offer "additional flexibility" for clean energy tax credits and federal investments in various clean energy technologies.”

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LINCOLN MAULED: ONE NIGHT, MOR ETHAN $10 MILLION IN DAMAGE

LINCOLN - As rioters replaced protesters late Saturday and early Sunday, and moved between the two centers of government, they shattered dozens of windows, started fires, sprayed graffiti, uprooted signs, broke bus stops and trashed offices. The city estimated its damage alone at $10 million.

As for the capitol building, it lost 15 window panes on its northwest side, and vandals tagged the Abe Lincoln statue and other areas. And four days later, the offices along the mall aren’t done cleaning up, either.

The damage on the main level of the Nebraska Association of County Officials building was so thorough it could be months before employees return to work on that floor.

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OMAHA POLICE UNION CALLS OUT STATE SENATOR FOR COMMENTS ABOUT PROTESTS

Omaha — The Omaha police union is accusing a state senator from Omaha of “shamefully siding with vandals, rioters, and looters” for comments made on Twitter over the weekend. Sen.Tony Vargas criticized local police for their response to demonstrators. Sen. Vargas stated, “It is alarming and unacceptable that peaceful protesters were met with pepper balls, tear gas, and riot gear by officers sworn to protect and serve our community.”

The Omaha Police Officers Association, in turn, called the comments “false, irresponsible, and dangerous.” The union said Vargas was ignoring “criminal activity” that led to the response from authorities. The union also said that law enforcement used force only in response to the “antagonistic lawlessness and the disruptive acts of vandalism and violence that have marred what began as just and peaceful protests.”

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STATE SEN. ERNIE CHAMBERS JOINS GROUP OUTSIDE CITY HALL TO DISCUSS INJUSTICE, PROTESTS AND MORE

OMAHA - On the sixth night of protests in Omaha, Nebraska’s best-known advocate for racial justice, State Sen. Ernie Chambers, visited with about 60 mostly young people outside City Hall about injustice and civic engagement.

Sen. Chambers told those with him that the protests show that “you can have a profound impact.” He also cautioned that “You don’t have to prove anything by knocking out a window.”

Sen. Chambers calls for unfaltering efforts at reconciliation.

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RICKETTS ESTABLISHES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT OFFICE IN GERMANY

LINCOLN - Theo Freye, a former executive for an ag machinery company headquartered in Germany, will lead economic development efforts for Nebraska in the European country. The decision to create Nebraska Center Germany follows Ricketts' 2019 trade mission to the nation.

Anthony Goins, the state's economic development director said, “We are incredibly pleased to have Theo Freye join the Nebraska Department of Economic Development to lead Nebraska Center Germany at a time when the state is increasingly involved in the country.” This will be Nebraska’s second international office with the first in Japan.

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HOW AMAZON IS BRINGING THE KEYSTON XL PIPELINE ONLINE; TRUMP TAKES AIM AT STATES POWER TO BLOCK PROJECTS

WASHINGTON - Amazon has cemented a partnership with the company that owns the controversial Keystone XL pipeline, recently announcing that TC Energy is “going all-in” on Amazon Web Services. The Canadian pipeline corporation, formerly known as TransCanada, has “migrated almost 90 percent of its corporate and commercial applications” to Amazon Web Services.

AWS released a statement saying, “TC Energy is going all-in on the world’s leading cloud, moving its entire infrastructure to AWS.” The announcement comes just weeks after TC Energy’s long-contested Keystone XL pipeline, which would carry some of the dirtiest, most carbon-intensive oil on the planet from the Alberta tar sands basin to Nebraska, faced a major legal setback when its permit was vacated by a federal judge.

Mitchell Browning, TC Energy’s senior developer for U.S. Real Time Systems, said months earlier at a presentation given at a tech conference held in San Francisco that AWS technology can help TC Energy maximize the profitability of its pipeline networks by combining third-party data sources, weather data, commercial data, and pipeline metered flow data into the AWS machine learning platform.

Additionally, on Monday the Trump administration finalized a rule Monday that takes aim at a powerful tool used by states to block new pipelines and coal export terminals. The final rule limits the types of issues that states can consider when using their authority under Section 401 of the CWA to block a federal permit and sets tight deadlines for them to do so. The rule also allows EPA to overrule a state's permit denial if the agency decides the action was based on issues outside the scope of the state's authority. Environmentalists have planned legal challenges to the rule, which they say conflicts directly with the Supreme Court precedent supporting states' authority under the 1972 water law. The rule will also have major implications for the relicensing of hydropower dams across the country. However, Senator John Barrasso said, “planning legal challenges to the rule, which they say conflicts directly with Supreme Court precedent supporting states' authority under the 1972 water law. The rule will also have major implications for the relicensing of hydropower dams across the country.”

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STATE OFFICIALS BACK FUND TO PLUG ORPHAN WELLS

WASHINGTON - State officials from North Dakota and New Mexico said federal funding for plugging tens of thousands of so-called orphan oil and gas wells would provide jobs to out-of-work energy service employees and reduce water and methane pollution. Some states have articulated that they lack adequate funding to plug and remediate such wells and that an oil market crunch will further exacerbate the problem if failing companies shirk cleanup duties.

Democratic Sen. Heinrich and Representatives Luján and Torres Small called for new federal funding. Daniel Raimi, a senior associate for think tank Resources for the Future, said a $1.4 billion program could create 13,000 jobs. North Dakota Mineral Resources Director Lynn Helms backed the concept, noting his state is already using CARES Act funding to put oil and gas workers in the field to plug wells.

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