An effort to expand government-funded health coverage to more low-income residents has been defeated in the Nebraska Legislature.
Supporters came up short Wednesday morning in an effort to cut off the filibuster on Legislative Bill 887. The vote was 27-21, with one senator not voting. Thirty-three votes are needed to end a filibuster.
The Wellness In Nebraska Act, or WIN, would combine Medicaid, private insurance, wellness incentives and cost sharing to cover Nebraskans making up to 133 percent of the federal poverty level.
State Sen. Jeremy Nordquist of Omaha, a co-sponsor of LB 887, said Tuesday that it appeared passage of the measure would be an uphill battle.
