Medicaid Monitor
Policy Intelligence
Medicaid Monitor
Policy Intelligence
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Nebraska Examiner

7 stories

State Policy·NE·34d ago

Nebraska Awards $97.7M of $218.5M First-Year Rural Health Transformation Program Allocation

Nebraska has distributed $97.7 million of its $218.5 million first-year allocation from the federal Rural Health Transformation Program, with grants required to be awarded by October 31, 2026. The state released a dashboard tracking grants by county and program area, including community health worker infrastructure and workforce development in shortage areas. Nebraska received the eighth-highest first-year funding among states from the $50 billion federal program authorized to offset Medicaid cuts' impact on rural areas. The state reports strong progress compared to other states in deploying the five-year grant program.

State Policy·NE·34d ago

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.

State Policy·NE·40d ago

Nebraska Auditor Finds Questionable Billing in Aged and Disabled Waiver Program

Nebraska State Auditor Mike Foley released a 34-page report on August 24, 2026, alleging highly questionable billing practices and weak oversight in the state's Medicaid Aged and Disabled Waiver program. The program's costs increased nearly 600% over the past decade. The audit identifies specific billing irregularities and oversight deficiencies in waiver program administration. The findings raise compliance and fiscal integrity concerns for Nebraska's HCBS waiver operations and may prompt corrective action by the state Medicaid agency.

State Policy·NE·51d ago

Nebraska Medicaid Director Resigns Amid Work Requirement Implementation

Drew Gonshorowski has resigned as director of Nebraska's Division of Medicaid and Long-Term Care after less than two years, as the state became the first to implement more aggressive Medicaid work requirements. The leadership change comes at a critical juncture for Nebraska's program. The timing and circumstances of the resignation were not detailed in available reporting. A new director will need to oversee ongoing implementation of the work requirement policy and address any operational challenges in the state's Medicaid program.

State Policy·NE·76d ago

Nebraska Secures Temporary Medicaid Work Requirement Waiver for Dawson County After Plant Closure

Federal officials approved a temporary hardship exemption from Nebraska's Medicaid work requirements for Dawson County following the closure of a Tyson Foods plant that eliminated approximately 3,000 jobs. Governor Jim Pillen directed the state Department of Health and Human Services to request the exemption last month. The waiver temporarily suspends work requirement compliance for affected Medicaid enrollees in the county. This represents a significant operational accommodation for managed care organizations serving the region, as they will need to adjust eligibility tracking and member communications during the exemption period.

State Policy·NE·86d ago

Nebraska Reviews Federal Medicaid Work Rule, Continues May Implementation

Nebraska became the first state to implement federally mandated Medicaid work requirements in May 2026. CMS released an interim final rule this week outlining requirements all states must follow by January 1, 2027. Nebraska DHHS is reviewing the federal rule but declined to pause its current implementation. The state's approach will serve as an early test case for other states preparing to comply with the federal mandate.

State Policy·NE·86d ago

Nebraska Seeks Federal Waiver to Exempt Dawson County from Medicaid Work Requirements

Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen has directed the state's Department of Health and Human Services to request federal approval for a temporary high-unemployment exemption from Medicaid work requirements in Dawson County. The county recorded the state's highest unemployment rate in April. The waiver request would suspend work requirement enforcement in the county while the broader state policy remains in effect. Federal approval from CMS is required before the exemption can take effect.

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