Nebraska Advocates Demand Pause on Medicaid Disability Funding Cuts From New Assessment Tool
Roughly 200 advocates, families, and state lawmakers gathered at Nebraska's Capitol on August 19, 2026, to protest funding reductions resulting from the state's new interRAI assessment system for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. The tool, implemented in July 2025 to determine Medicaid service levels and funding tiers, has reportedly downgraded many individuals from advanced to intermediate care despite unchanged needs — reducing one-on-one services to group settings. Families presented cases where the assessment misrepresented capabilities and created safety risks. Advocates are calling on Governor Jim Pillen to pause all funding cuts until an independent evaluation is conducted, with a petition drawing nearly 4,000 supporters.