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Medicaid debt recovery bill stalls in Nebraska Legislature

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A bill that would have given Nebraska state officials more power to recover Medicaid debts has stalled in the Legislature.

Senators failed Friday to overcome a filibuster on the measure, which would have closed loopholes in current state law and allowed the Department of Health and Human Services to hire more attorneys.

Opponents say the measure unfairly targets farm property, but not other assets such as stocks and bonds. Others contend that the department wasn't designed to handle debt recoveries on a larger scale.

Lawmakers voted 29-19 to force an end to debate, four short of what was needed.

The bill's sponsor, Senator Paul Schumacher of Columbus, says he plans to introduce it again next year.

The bill is LB1103.

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