Nebraskans Flood Medicaid Advisory Meeting Over Work Requirements
Roughly 50 people attended Nebraska's Medicaid Advisory Committee meeting in Lincoln, with DHHS officials calling it record attendance, as part of a planned protest against Medicaid cuts tied to the federal "One Big Beautiful Bill." Seventeen people spoke during the public comment period, many citing fear over coverage loss and confusion over new federally mandated work requirements that took effect in Nebraska earlier this year, which require certain adults aged 19-64 to work, volunteer or attend school 80 hours monthly, earn $580 monthly, or qualify for an exemption. Testifiers, including a sponsor of Nebraska's 2018 Medicaid expansion ballot initiative, said paperwork is too complex and DHHS has given inconsistent answers by phone. Committee members acknowledged limited power to enforce changes but encouraged attendees to apply for committee vacancies.