News and Events from Nebraska Appleseed – December 2014
12/3/2014
In this December edition of “Appleseed in Action”:
- Nebraskans support President’s Administrative Relief
- Enroll Nebraska launches 500 By the 15th campaign
- Report shows working Nebraskans fall in coverage gap
- Nebraska Supreme Court decides important ICWA case
- Support our fight for justice for families facing hunger
President’s Administrative Relief a good first step, Now Congress must act
In late November, Nebraska faith, immigrant, and community leaders voiced support for the temporary administrative relief from deportation for some immigrants announced November 20th by President Obama.
Immigrant Nebraskans and community leaders, including United Methodist Bishop Scott J. Jones, gathered in Omaha on November 21 and in Lincoln on November 24 to express support for the President’s action. But, this step is temporary and leaves out many Nebraska families who still are in danger of being torn apart.
We need Congress to create a long-term, common-sense solution by passing updated immigration laws with a clear process for citizenship.
Find out how you can take action here.
“500 By The 15th” campaign promotes health coverage across Nebraska
Enroll Nebraska, a statewide network of health care providers, community organizations, in-person assisters, and advocacy groups, has announced a goal of helping 500 Nebraskans enroll in health insurance coverage or renew previous coverage through the Health Insurance Marketplace by December 15.
The “500 By The 15th” campaign seeks to help Nebraskans who need health coverage, but may feel they cannot afford insurance, to explore their options using free, in-person assistance that is available statewide.
Read more about the “500 By The 15th” campaign
Report shows vast majority of Nebraskans in Coverage Gap are Working
A new report released on December 1 by Families USA, the national organization for health care consumers, shows that nearly three-quarters of Nebraskans who currently fall in the health insurance coverage gap are working adults.
The report, titled “Closing the Coverage Gap in Nebraska: Health Insurance for Working Individuals and Families,” found 73 percent of Nebraskans who would be eligible for Medicaid coverage if the state chose to cover the eligible population are working currently or have held jobs in the past year.
Closing this coverage gap and making sure the health care system makes sense for everyone would mean a healthier workforce with a stronger state economy and a better quality of life in Nebraska.
Nebraska Supreme Court decision strengthens Indian Child Welfare Act
On November 14, the Nebraska Supreme Court ruled that the Indian Child Welfare Act’s active efforts requirement applies to cases involving state wards who are placed in their own home as part of a juvenile court case (In re Interest of Shayla H.).
This ruling will have significant implications as Nebraska increases efforts to place more Native children in their own homes.
“This decision is a great victory for native families and tribes,” said Appleseed attorney Robert McEwen, who argued before the Court on behalf of Nebraska Appleseed and the four Nebraska tribes. “Nebraska Appleseed is very proud to partner with Legal Aid and attorneys from the Winnebago, Ponca, Santee Sioux, and Omaha tribes to preserve the rights of native families and tribes.”
Read More: Nebraska Supreme Court decides ICWA case
Support our fight for justice for Nebraska families facing hunger
When kids and families experience tough times the last thing they need is uncertainty about where they will find their next meal. Yet approximately 30 percent of all Nebraska households applying for food assistance needlessly wait longer than a month for approval for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).
Appleseed filed a class action lawsuit in August (Leiting-Hall v. Winterer) on behalf of a working mother and her children to ensure families who are eligible for food assistance receive it in a timely manner.