Nebraska lawmaker introduces bill requiring legislative approval for university hospital deals

LINCOLN, Neb. (WOWT) - A bill introduced in the Unicameral today would require lawmakers to approve deals like the proposed sale of Clarkson’s stake in Nebraska Medicine to the University of Nebraska in the future.

Elkhorn Senator Tony Sorrentino introduced LB 1125 today.

Under that bill, the Legislature must approve any move by the University to buy a controlling interest in any hospital or health care facility valued at over $100 million.

The sale of Clarkson’s share in Nebraska Medicine to the University of Nebraska would fall into that category.

At its rescheduled meeting on Jan. 15, the Nebraska Board of Regents unanimously approved the proposal.

Thirty-two state senators sent a letter asking the board to delay the vote. Current and former officials with Nebraska Medicine also pushed back on the proposal, calling it a “state takeover.”

In an open letter, three former CEOs claim the current structure allows for Nebraska Medicine to establish guardrails around major changes. But NU President Dr. Jeffrey Gold maintained that care will expand and improve if the deal went through, likening the agreement to “an amicable divorce.”