RALSTON, GRAND ISLAND OFFICIALS MAKE LATE PITCH FOR STATE HELP IN ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

LINCOLN- Officials with the Cities of Ralston and Grand Island are making a late pitch for state funds to help redevelop sites for new businesses and jobs. In Ralston, officials are eyeing the demolition of a 1950s-era shopping center, called Hillcrest Landing, for redevelopment on the Omaha suburb’s Main Street. In Grand Island, funds are being sought to extend infrastructure, such as water and sewer service, to the 20-square-mile site of the former Cornhusker Ammunition Plant.

Senator Loren Lippincott is leading the charge as he presented an amended version of his Legislative Bill 600 to members of the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee. Under his amendment, $10 million would be transferred from the state’s ample cash reserves into a “Municipality Infrastructure Aid Fund.” Cities and towns could apply for grants of up to $5 million each to revitalize areas for economic development. 

The Transportation and Telecommunications Committee had questions surrounding the proposal in a hearing last week. Committee members were also concerned with the time of the change as the legislative session nears its final days. The committee did adopt the new amendment but did not advance LB600 out of the committee. 

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'MY POSITION HASN'T CHANGED,' SAYS SENATOR WHO REFUSED VOTE FOR SIX-WEEK 'HEARTBEAT' ABORTION BILL

LINCOLN- Following the failed attempt to advance Sen. Albrecht's LB626, a bill that would ban abortions in Nebraska after roughly six weeks, Sen. Riepe, who decided not to vote on the bill and subsequently killed it, said that he would not motion to reconsider the vote, despite meeting with Gov. Jim Pillen. "I've told the governor and his aides what I support," said Riepe, "My position hasn't changed." 

Just hours after the vote was held on LB626, Gov. Pillen and Sen. Riepe held a meeting to discuss a potential re-vote. Riepe, a pro-life Republican, had previously attempted to compromise by introducing an amendment that would ban abortions after 12 weeks, but was soundly denied by his colleagues. Riepe argued that giving pregnant women more time to decide might convince some to choose to keep their baby, and therefore didn't vote on what he saw as a too-extreme proposal. 

Despite his decision not to vote, however, Sen. Riepe did indicate that he would like to see the issue come up again next year, and stated that he wants to find a way to implement further restrictions. Last Thursday, almost immediately following the vote, the GOP committee in Saunder's County voted to issue a verbal censure of Riepe, and, like Pillen, called on the senator to motion to reconsider the vote. "We thought Riepe was on board with six weeks," said John Zaugg, the GOP chairman for Saunder's County, "It was very disappointing. A lot of people feel very passionate about this."

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NEBRASKA CAPITOL BAN LIFTED FOR GUN CONTROL ADVOCATE BARRED FROM GROUNDS

LINCOLN- Just a week after shouting from the Legislative Chamber balcony following the passage of Sen. Brewer's LB77, Melody Vaccaro, executive director of Nebraskans Against Gun Violence, was informed that she would be allowed back into the Capitol after being indefinitely barred. Vaccaro recently yelled "Shame!" while pointing to senators who had voted to advance LB77, a bill that would allow the permitless concealed carry of handguns, and was promptly escorted out of and banned from the Nebraska Capitol. 

LB77, which overcame the filibuster on a 33-14 vote, was signed into law by Governor Jim Pillen last Tuesday. Vaccaro received a letter late last week indicating that her ban was, in fact, not indefinite, and that it would only remain in effect for seven days. "As previously explained, this bar does not prohibit you from entering the Capitol Complex Area for official business, all matters that deal with the Legislature, and events in the Capitol Complex Area," stated the letter.

However, the language contained in the most recent letter conflicts directly with the earlier notice, which stated that Vaccaro was "banned and barred from the Nebraska State Capitol and Nebraska State Capitol grounds." Vaccaro's attorney, Daniel Gutman, argued that the mixed signals sent by the Nebraska State Patrol indicate larger problems surrounding the ban and bar policy utilized at the Nebraska Capitol. 

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'NOT IN NEBRASKA': PUBLIC SCHOOL ADVOCATES RALLY AGAINST 'OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARSHIP' BILL

LINCOLN- On Saturday morning, public school advocates flooded the steps of the Nebraska Capitol in protest of Sen. Linehan's LB753, which would adopt the Opportunity Scholarships Act and allow public funding to be utilized in private or parochial schools. Protestors sought to send a message regarding opportunity scholarships to Nebraska lawmakers: 'Not in Nebraska.'

More specifically, Linehan's LB753 would permit state tax credits for those who donate to organizations providing scholarships to students attending private schools. Jenni Benson, president of the Nebraska State Education Association, called the rally a "tremendous show of strength and support" for public schools. Nebraskans have, in the past, rejected "school choice" efforts three times already, and Benson stated that they're "going to do it again."

Thus far, LB753 has maintained support through two rounds of floor debate, and has received support from Democratic Sens. Terrell McKinney and Justin Wayne. During the rally, Dunixi Guereca, director of Stand for Schools, which advocates for public school funding, described LB753 as a "school choice scheme" that doesn't invest in students. "This bill is not about giving students choice," he told the attendees, "it's about giving schools choice. Choice to pick and choose the students that they serve, unlike public schools that serve all students."

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'NO ROOM FOR COMPROMISE': HOW TALKS BROKE DOWN ON AMENDING NEBRASKA'S TRANS HEALTH CARE BILL

LINCOLN- After a bi-partisan coalition of state senators met to discuss Sen. Kauth's LB574, a bill that would restrict minors from receiving gender-affirming care, it was reported that little to no common ground was found. Opponents of LB574, some of whom met with their colleagues to discuss potential amendments to LB574, said that there was no real attempt by the other side to reach an agreement. Proponents of the bill who joined the meeting said they went into the discussion in good faith, but couldn't reach a solution that pleased everyone.

The group was comprised of eight state senators, including Kathleen Kauth, Speaker John Arch, John Cavanaugh, John Fredrickson, Lynne Walz, Ben Hansen, Tom Briese, and Teresa Ibach. After just four meetings, however, Sen. Kauth called an end to the discussions. Kauth has yet to introduce her amendment to LB574, but stated in an interview that it includes a grandfather clause that exempts patients currently receiving gender-affirming care from the ban. 

Sen. John Cavanaugh, an opponent of the bill, said Kauth's planned amendment doesn't include any of the potential changes discussed during the meetings, and instead argued that she had already had the grandfather clause in mind when drafting LB574. "She comes in with a proposal and leaves with the same proposal," said Sen. Cavanaugh. Kauth claimed that she had ended the meetings after becoming concerned that drastic changes to the bill would affect how much support it received.

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KEY STATE SENATORS MUST RESOLVE THREE QUESTIONS ON NEBRASKA VOTER ID BILL

LINCOLN- The deadline for negotiations this week in the Nebraska Legislature over two voter ID amendments could decide whether or not the body votes on one or the other. Since being introduced, County election officials from across the state, who will carry out whichever proposal is implemented, have weighed in on the issue as well, asking lawmakers to keep things simple. 

Sate Sens. Julie Slama and Tom Brewer, who introduced the two dueling amendments, are meeting on Monday with Speaker of the Legislature John Arch, as well as the Governor's and Secretary of State's offices to search for common ground. Both introduced amendments that would significantly change LB535, the voter ID proposal introduced by Sen. Slama.

The discussion is set to focus on three key areas, which could decide the fate of each amendment, as well as the bill itself. Firstly, what forms of ID the state will accept as proof of a voter's identification. Secondly, how and when the state will verify the IDs of voters utilizing mail-in ballots. And finally, whether or not the state's voter ID bill should include additional checks of citizenship. 

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MORE THAN 115 NEBRASKA BUSINESS LEADERS SIGN LETTER OPPOSING BILLS THAT ATTACK LGBTQ+ RIGHTS

LINCOLN- On Tuesday, each member of the Nebraska Legislature received a long letter written by a coalition of more than 115 Nebraska-based business leaders calling on the body to avoid advancing Sen. Kauth's LB574 and LB575, which would restrict transgender youth from receiving gender-affirming care or participating on a sports team that best fits their identified gender. 

The coalition, which largely echoed a previous letter sent by the Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce, said that such bills would hurt job recruitment and retention in the state if passed. "Nebraska can avoid major competitive risks--and win investment, business, and talent--by sending a clear and consistent signal that all are welcome here and Nebraska is open to business," the letter read.

The coalition's members included both large and small businesses, from A Novel Idea Bookstore to Omaha Steaks. Gov. Jim Pillen's office responded to the letter by saying that "protecting Nebraska kids is good for business." The response went on to state, "We welcome all people to Nebraska, but we should not let kids make irreversible life-altering decisions until they are adults." Sen. Kauth also responded to the letter, stating that there is a large majority in the state who want to see such bills pass, and that these individuals are being ignored by these businesses. 

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LAWMAKERS REJECT ATTEMPT TO NARROW COSTS OF PROPOSED $574 MILLION CANAL

LINCOLN- On Thursday, while debating the Governor's proposed budget, lawmakers rejected an amendment that would have significantly lowered the cost of the $574 million Perkins County Canal project and freed up funding for more or similar projects. The amendment, which was introduced by Sen. John Cavanaugh, would have provided for a much lower-volume canal, but at a much lower cost of $125 million. 

"This is a mistake," said Cavanaugh of the larger planned canal, arguing that building the canal based on the current plan would invite an expensive lawsuit from Colorado, where part of the canal would be built under a 1923 water compact. The project, which was revived by former Gov. Ricketts, was continued by Pillen, who set aside $574 million in his budget to build a canal that could divert up to 1,000 cubic feet per second of water, as well as several dams.

Sen. Erdman argued against Sen. Cavanaugh, saying that the larger canal is necessary if Nebraska is to weather droughts, especially in the western region of the state. "We're in a desert out there basically," said Erdman, "and any time you can gather more water when it's flooding, it's an appropriate time to do that." Sen. Bruce Bostelman, chair of the Natural Resources Committee, echoed a similar sentiment. After a lengthy debate, the amendment failed on an 11-32 vote. 

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NEBRASKA DEMOCRATS LOOK TO 2024 AFTER TUESDAY ELECTION WINS

LINCOLN- Following election day in Lincoln earlier this week, Nebraska Democrats eagerly look forward to the future following decisive wins in contested races. Tuesday's elections could indicate the party’s chances next year, including in a presidential election where Nebraska’s Omaha-centered 2nd Congressional District has twice given an electoral vote to Democratic presidential candidates.

Lincoln Mayor Leirion Gaylor Baird, a Democrat, handily won a second term Tuesday, despite an aggressive push by Republicans to oust her in favor of former Lincoln state Sen. Suzanne Geist, who saw more than $1.5 million pumped into her campaign from GOP donors. Tuesday stood out for the number of wins Democrats scored, including 3 of 4 contested City Council seats, giving Democrats a dominant 6-1 advantage. And Republicans lost all three of the contested local school board seats.

Democratic Party leaders see an opportunity to capitalize on Republicans' hard shift to the right, particularly on religious and culture war issues issues — including the recent push across red states to target the transgender and LGBTQ+ community members, ban books from schools and libraries and vastly restrict abortion access. Those efforts are unpopular with the majority of voters, Nebraska Democratic Party Chairwoman Jane Kleeb said Wednesday.

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NEBRASKA SEN. MEGAN HUNT DITCHES DEMOCRATIC LABEL, REGISTERS AS NONPARTISAN

LINCOLN- Senator Megan Hunt, one of Nebraska's highest-profile Democrats, has left the party and registered as nonpartisan. Hunt has had many different parties throughout the course of her life saying, "I have been a Republican, an independent, a Libertarian, a Democrat, back to Republican to vote in the primary, back to Democrat." As an active member in this year's legislative proceedings, the change may come as a surprise for some.

Many are asking what prompted such a switch. The answer is that the intensity of the legislative fights in Nebraska, the focus on party affiliation in media, and the lack of support from national groups for liberal candidates in conservative-dominated states led Hunt to make the jump. "The parties are not the future," she said. "The political dysfunction is extreme and at the national level, the parties are ideologically bankrupt."

Hunt noted that prominent Democratic organizations wanted to highlight and support her work in this year's Legislature, but they got involved after the battle was already fought. "We have scrapped and fought and won against a lot of odds in a system that funds Republicans with a blank check but abandons progressives, and they want to share the credit for it?" Hunt said. "Go away." Hunt said she remains on the left of the political spectrum and will continue advocating for those positions.

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OPS SUPERINTENDENT CHERYL LOGAN REFLECTS ON HER FIVE-YEAR TENURE, WHICH WILL END JUNE 30TH

OMAHA- As Dr. Cheryl Logan wraps up her time as the leader of Nebraska's largest school district, she took time to reflect upon her tenure, saying that she wouldn't have done anything differently these past five years. Dr. Logan has served in the position since 2018, and has had to navigate many obstacles since joining the school district, including teacher shortages, transportation issues, declining student achievement, and a deadly pandemic. 

"You don't get to choose the circumstances of your leadership--you choose a job and the job chooses you," said Logan, "I'm really reflective, especially about decision-making...every decision that was made or executed, even the ones we have to make quickly with the time allotted, we were thoughtful, we brought in resources or experts to help us make those decisions and executed them."

Over the past five years, Dr. Logan has spearheaded the launch of academies and pathways at each high school in the district, deployed new one-to-one technology, managed the construction of several new school buildings, and helped create plans to disburse millions of dollars in federal Covid-19 relief money. Logan also stated that she was proud of her work in implementing LB147 in 2021, which will put the Nebraska Public Employees Retirement Systems in charge of managing the troubled OPS pension system in 2024. 

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CALLERS CHALLENGE PILLEN ABOUT HIS SUPPORT FOR BILL BANNING GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE

LINCOLN- Governor Pillen received two callers during his monthly radio call-in show that asked about the Governor's support for the controversial gender-affirming care ban. The bill has advanced to final-round consideration, but it has also spawned a nearly session-long string of filibusters by Omaha Sens. Machaela Cavanaugh and Megan Hunt.

One caller from Fort Calhoun asked how many people the bill (LB574) really affects. “One kid makes a big difference,” Pillen said. “So the transgender bill, from my seat, is very, very simple. It’s important that children can decide when they get to the adequate age.” Pillen added that he cannot sit down and have a beer with his 18-year-old son “because it’s not in the best interest of the child.” 

“That’s the same thing with the therapy,” he said, referring to gender-affirming treatments or surgeries. Two other callers supported Pillen’s stance on Legislative Bill 574, with one caller referring to gender-affirming care as “child abuse.” Other callers were concerned with communist Chinese police stations in Nebraska, which Pillen said he would not be giving any time to. 

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WATER CONSERVATION EFFORTS IN SOUTHWEST NEBRASKA GET NEARLY $2 MILLION BOOST FROM FEDERAL GRANTS

OMAHA- The Department of the Interior has announced roughly $2 million in federal grant funds will go to water conservation projects in southwest Nebraska. A $1.1 million grant is to help defray the cost of a $2.68 million project in the Middle Republican Natural Resources District. The district includes at least parts of five counties: Frontier, Hayes, Hitchcock, Red Willow and Lincoln. 

The other $834,310 grant is to help pay for a $2 million project in the Upper Republican Natural Resources District, which encompasses Dundy, Chase and Perkins Counties. These grants come as part of a $140 million national package. Much of the grant funding comes from the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure law that allocated $8.3 billion for national water infrastructure projects. 

Natural resources districts, known as NRDs, empower locally elected community members to manage the state’s water resources, noted U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee and Senate Appropriations Committee. Jasper Fanning, general manager of the Upper Republican NRD, described the funds as “a big step forward” in efforts to increase efficiency in his area. 

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NEW REPORT SETS OFF ALARM ABOUT NURSE SHORTAGE AND PATIENT CARE IN NEBRASKA

OMAHA- According to a new report released this week by the Nebraska Hospital Association, Nebraska Rural Health Association, and Nebraska Health Care Workforce Collaborative, Nebraska is on pace to be short 5,435 nurses by 2025. Contributing factors outlined in the report include burnout, an aging nurse population, and insufficient training funds. 

"Our hospitals in Nebraska face tremendous pressure when it comes to recruiting and retaining a stable and healthy workforce," said NHA President Jeremy Nordquist, "This report highlights the significant gaps in nursing across the state, especially in the areas of behavioral health and critical care." Citing findings from the report, Sen. Merv Riepe introduced a measure to increase spending on clinical training sites for nurses, asking for a total of $6 million over two fiscal years. 

The Hospital Association also stated that the ongoing nurse shortage has negatively impacted the state's economy, since citizens and businesses won't settle in areas lacking in adequate care. In response to staffing shortages, many Nebraska hospitals have had to invest "significant" resources in the recruitment and retainment of staff, something that has further exacerbated the financial hardships hospitals are facing. 

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NEBRASKA AG HILGER'S OPINION SAYS ABORTION BILL WOULDN'T PUT DOCTORS AT RISK OF A CRIME

LINCOLN- On Tuesday, Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers released a legal opinion disputing two of the top concerns surrounding Sen. Albrecht's LB626, which would prohibit abortions after six weeks of pregnancy or after embryonic cardiac activity is detected. Hilgers and Solicitor General Eric Hamilton, who drafted the opinion together, stated that doctors would not be charged with a crime in Nebraska if they meet the proposal's six-week window or provide care in the hopes of protecting the life of the mother. 

"Exceptions apply to both the post-viability and 20-week bans," they wrote, "The Act does not amend these statutes or any other provisions in the Nebraska Criminal Code." Despite this, Sen. John Cavanaugh, an attorney, argued that a separate section of state law, which could be changed by LB626, could be utilized to criminally prosecute doctors who perform abortions outside of the stipulated parameters. 

Other opponents of the bill, including Sen. Jen Day, have argued that the vagueness by which LB626 is written could be read to require the reporting of rape to law enforcement. Sen. Merv Riepe introduced an amendment that would shift the six-week ban to twelve weeks, a compromise some opponents are willing to consider.

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DOUGLAS COUNTY BOARD POSTPONES VOTE ON BUILDING MENTAL HEALTH FACILITIES IN DOWNTOWN OMAHA

OMAHA- Concerns about proposed costs led the Douglas County Board to postpone a vote on Tuesday which would allow the city to take a major step toward building new mental health facilities near the Douglas County Jail, which resided in downtown Omaha. The Board was just minutes away from moving the resolution forward before being postponement. The new facilities are expected to cost a combined $60 million.

The resolution, which was put forward by Board Chair Mary Ann Borgeson, called for the launching of capital improvement projects that would lead to two new downtown structures. Much of the construction cost would come from federal pandemic recovery and relief funding, as well as around $8 million from the CARES Act. After a debate and public hearing on the proposal, the Board seemed poised to approve the resolution, but Board Member P.J. Morgan moved to table it.

In the end, the Board voted 4-3 on the resolution, with Jim Cavanaugh, Mike Friend, and Maureen Boyle joining Morgan in voting to postpone the resolution. "I really want to be careful about the expenses," said Morgan of his vote. Morgan stated that he was also concerned that the community mental health portion of the project would be too expensive. Similarly, Morgan recommended that the Board wait to see how state legislation might affect opportunities to collaborate with the state for funding.

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NEBRASKA LAWMAKERS DEFEND COLLEAGUE HUNT FOR 'OUT OF BOUNDS' CONFLICT OF INTEREST COMPLAINT

LINCOLN- On Wednesday, Sen. Megan Hunt confirmed that she was under formal investigation for an alleged conflict of interest stemming from her opposition to LB574. Frank Daley, executive director of the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission hand-delivered the complaint to Hunt, which was devised by Omaha-based attorney David Begley.

The Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission requires that all public officials and employees disclose potential conflicts of interest in writing, and David Begley alleged that Sen. Hunt's opposition to LB574, which would ban gender-affirming care for minors, is in the direct interest of her child, who is transgender. "The point isn't that I could gain financially if my kid has rights," Hunt told her colleagues on the floor, "The point is the harassment." 

Multiple senators spoke out against the allegations, including Republican Sen. Tom Brandt, who said that Nebraskans elected "49 good people" and that "family is off limits." Continuing, Brandt said that he does "not endorse this offensive complaint. It is so far out of bounds that it does not merit discussion." Sen. John Cavanaugh, an attorney, argued that the investigation is a "deliberate and clear attempt" to harass Hunt. Sen. Wendy DeBoer came to Hunt's defense as well, saying that many senators have conflicts, many of which are not identified. "So if Senator Hunt is going to get a conflict or a NADC file against her, then I should too," said DeBoer.

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OMAHA CHAMBER URGES LEGISLATURE TO AVOID MEASURES CONTRARY TO 'POSITIVE BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT'

OMAHA- The Greater Omaha Chamber of Commerce issued a statement on Wednesday urging the Nebraska Legislature to avoid advancing, in the interest of "diversity, equity, and inclusion," any bills that would "threaten Nebraska as the warm and welcoming state we know it to be." 

The statement, which was issued by Chamber President Carmen Tapio and interim CEO Tim Burke, did not name any specific bills, but was, according to some, aimed at LB574, which would ban gender-affirming care for minors. In fact, a Chamber spokesman confirmed that that was the case. Sen. Kathleen Kauth, the introducer of LB574, is currently working with a coalition of colleagues to draft a compromise amendment.

The Chamber's state said further that the business organization was not "equipped to weigh in on issues that involve personal medical care decisions or medical decisions regarding parents, their children, and their health care professionals." Despite this, the Chamber emphasized that it was "fully committed" to recruiting and retaining a talented workforce.

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OMNIBUS BILL AIMS TO HELP MAKE NEBRASKA CROSSING A MECCA FOR 'RETAIL TOURISM'

LINCOLN- LB727, a substantial legislative package containing more than 20 bills, aims to revitalize and stimulate economic activity all over Nebraska. Besides a bill that would allow Nebraska Crossing to finance a proposed 1,000-acre expansion, LB727 also offers an expansion for Omaha's CHI Center, the construction of a new convention center in Lincoln, tax breaks for retired firefighters, and tax credits for those selling soybean-based biodiesel.

However, the headline proposal of LB727 remains the Nebraska Crossing expansion. Sen. Lou Ann Linehan, the architect of this expansive proposal, stated that she wanted Nebraska to become a "retail tourism" destination, comparable to the Legends complex in Kansas City. Linehan believes that providing financial incentives will draw in more retailers to the area who might have previously passed on building in the state, like IKEA and Crate & Barrel. 

Right now, said Linehan, Nebraska Crossing is "a cornfield," and unless the state helps the area out, it will become a forest of strip malls. "I'm not a lover of incentives," said Sen. Linehan, "but the money that we're losing to other states and the money we could bring in here, I see it as a huge win." Debate on the package of bills is expected very soon.

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DHHS ENCOURAGES UPDATING INFORMATION AS 145,000 NEBRASKANS AT RISK OF LOSING MEDICAID

LINCOLN- 145,000 are at risk of losing Medicaid coverage as renewals restart following a three-year Covid-19 pause. Changes in federal law mean the eligibility of Medicaid recipients is now being reviewed, returning to “normal” eligibility requirements. The Nebraska DHHS began March 1 processing the accounts of Nebraskans whose renewal months are April and May. As a result, Nebraskans could begin to lose coverage this month, even though some may still be eligible for Medicaid. 

DHHS said the most important thing Nebraskans can do is update their contact information. Nebraskans can visit or call ACCESSNebraska to update their information or see when their renewal month is. DHHS also has local offices throughout the state to assist Medicaid recipients. Watson said the best estimate is that 10-20% of the nearly 390,000 Nebraskans on Medicaid could lose coverage, which is in line with national trends. 

Some could lose eligibility unnecessarily, Watson noted, if the department cannot reach enrollees when more information is required to verify eligibility. This could be done via mail, and enrollees may need to send pay stubs or other identifying information. Nebraska Appleseed has a step-by-step guide for following the Medicaid renewal process and can also help Nebraskans manage the process. 

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