Nebraska public‑health director nominee outlines rural health rollout and pandemic lessons

Ashley Neumeier, interim director of the Division of Public Health, asked the Nebraska Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee to confirm her appointment and outlined immediate priorities, including implementing the federally funded Rural Health Transformation Program.

Neumeier told the committee she has led pandemic response and data initiatives for DHHS and that her top priorities are rolling out the rural health program and strengthening the division’s team culture. “I respectfully ask for your support and confirmation,” she said.

Committee members questioned Neumeier about lessons learned from the COVID‑19 response. Neumeier said the state produced an after‑action report and identified three improvements: clarifying roles between state and local public health agencies, maintaining frequent lines of communication in emergencies, and building stronger working relationships to ensure rapid technical assistance. On data privacy, she said existing statutes limit what the Division may collect and release and that the Division only gathers data it is authorized to use for public‑health purposes.

On the Rural Health Transformation Program, Neumeier said Nebraska recently received a federal award of $218,000,000 and is in the post‑award phase. She described a tight timeline: budget revisions are due to the feds this month, the federal review may request changes, and Nebraska must demonstrate required outcomes by Oct. 1 to retain the full award. She said the department is targeting February to begin posting funding opportunities and urged potential applicants to prepare.

Senators also pressed Neumeier about priorities for urban areas, obesity and chronic‑disease prevention, and coordination with local health departments; Neumeier emphasized stakeholder forums on physical activity and nutrition she said are informing statewide prevention work.

The committee recorded three proponents online and no in‑person opponents or neutral testifiers. The appointment hearing concluded with the committee moving on to other bills.