SE Nebraska News

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), who serves on the Senate Appropriations Committee, has announced that she secured $18 million in funding for health care facility improvements in Nebraska. The funds are part of the Fiscal Year 2026 Labor, Health, and Human Services Appropriations Act, which is pending consideration by the full Senate.

The proposed funding includes $12 million for the University of Nebraska Medical Center to build a training facility focused on air transport of infectious disease patients. An additional $3.5 million is designated for the City of O’Neill to replace boiler and water heating systems at Avera St. Anthony’s Hospital. Another $2.5 million will be used to upgrade operating room equipment at the Community Healthcare System in Friend.

“Nebraskans deserve modernized and efficient hospitals and emergency care systems as they face ongoing health challenges. The $18 million I advanced for Nebraska through my position on the Appropriations Committee is a good step to help fulfill the mission of delivering quality care to secure better health outcomes for the people of this state,” Fischer said.

The funding aims to address both infrastructure needs and specialized training requirements in Nebraska's health care sector.