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Report suggests changes for Nebraska Medicaid

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — A new report says computer technology and increased competition could lower the cost of Nebraska's Medicaid program.

The report released Wednesday by the Platte Institute for Economic Research suggests that the state contract with more than two health plans for each of Nebraska's Medicaid service regions.

The report says the increased competition would reduce the leverage that any one plan has over the state.

It also calls for new technology to confirm whether Medicaid recipients are eligible for the benefit. Jim Vokal, the group's CEO, says Pennsylvania and Illinois have realized millions in savings by catching people who don't qualify.

The Platte Institute released the report in advance of next year's legislative session. The group opposes efforts to expand Medicaid under the federal health care law.

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