Nebraska hospitals are grappling with rising costs and government-backed insurance issues, leading the Nebraska Hospital Association to emphasize the importance of healthcare during the ongoing legislative session.

"Nebraska's hospitals are facing that challenging headwinds and uncertain futures," said Jeremy Nordquist, president and CEO of the Nebraska Hospital Association.

According to a survey conducted at the end of 2025, 10% of the 90 to 92 hospitals represented by the association are planning service line reductions within the next six months.

Nordquist noted that rural clinics are particularly affected by these pressures. Tyler Toline, CEO of Franciscan Hospital in West Point, explained that his hospital had to take over a local independent pharmacy due to changes in federal drug pricing programs and cuts over the past five years.

"We knew that that service needed to be offered, and having pharmacy in the, in the communities that we have clinics," Toline said.

Ivan Mitchell, leader of Great Plains Health in North Platte, highlighted that struggles in rural hospitals could lead to increased demand and longer wait times in larger areas like the Greater Omaha Metro.

"The larger areas, we'll see increased demand and longer wait times. I shared with you behavioral health services. You know, there's, there's, Scottsbluff and Kearney are the only inpatient behavioral health services," Mitchell said.

Nordquist emphasized the importance of keeping Nebraska hospitals at the forefront during the next 60-day legislative session.

"We believe at the end that every Nebraskan deserves access to lifesaving care close to home. In order to achieve this, we must not allow policy changes and budget cuts that further jeopardize the well-being of our hospitals," he said.

Learn more from KETV.