LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) — The new year brings more than a new calendar; it also means changes to laws, the minimum wage and potentially services for those seeking help with addiction.
Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) is proposing rules that could force some behavioral health and substance-abuse providers to close.
DHHS published the potential changes Dec. 2, including changes that would not only alter staffing requirements but also add administrative tasks — all without payment increases.
The Bridge Behavioral Health has been operating in Lincoln for more than 40 years, and may see drastic changes if these regulations are adopted.
192 people sought treatment for withdrawal and addiction services at The Bridge in 2025.
Ed Thornbrugh, executive director at The Bridge, said those seeking help may not have anywhere to go except the emergency room.
“As published, many of the changes have the initial appearance of limiting access to care and possibly eliminating some providers who won’t be able to meet some of the new standards,” Thornbrugh told 10/11.
Those changes include limits on the number of withdrawal sessions per year and a requirement for multiple diagnostic interviews to receive help.
A huge stumbling block is the potential to require nursing degrees for those working in social detox.
The Bridge already had to eliminate medically supervised withdrawal last year because of the cost and staffing shortages.
“We already have an under-strength workforce in behavioral health, and pushing some of those positions into administrative roles would reduce the number of licensed people available for providing direct care,” Thornbrugh said.
Those services are essential for Lincoln, Dave Miers, the senior director of behavioral health at Bryan West, said.
Miers said if The Bridge can’t operate, it will be very harmful to the community.
While Bryan West has detox services — and is adding two more beds in 2026 — there’s already a waiting list.
“I feel that we’re going to see the numbers of folks continuing to skyrocket in terms of accessing our emergency room when it comes to needing that emergency detox level of care,” Miers said.
Thornbrugh and Miers added that there is help available — including by walk-ins at The Bridge — and that patients should be proactive in seeking referrals from primary care and thoroughly documenting appointments.
The public comment period is open until Jan. 16. Comments may be submitted by email to DHHS.BehavioralHealthDivision@nebraska.gov, attention: Public Comment — Service Definitions.
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