***For Immediate Release***
April 14, 2022
Contact:
James Goddard
Programs Senior Director
Nebraska Appleseed
C: (402) 570-9462
jgoddard@neappleseed.org
Nebraska Appleseed Responds to the Passage of LB921
The Nebraska Legislature Takes Steps to Improve Medicaid Reentry Practices for a Safe and Healthy Nebraska
LINCOLN, NE — This week, the Nebraska Legislature passed LB921, which is a bill that will help Nebraskans leaving correctional facilities access health care coverage upon reentering the community. LB921 (which was amended to include provisions of LB952 introduced by Senator John Cavanaugh) requires Medicaid enrollment assistance prior to release and will help Nebraskans leaving incarceration connect to the health care they need to keep themselves and their communities healthy and safe at reentry.
Nebraska Appleseed’s Health Care Access Program Director, Sarah Maresh, issued the following statement in response:
“This bill is an important step to ensure that all Nebraskans have access to quality, affordable health care. The first few weeks after reentry is pivotal, and prompt access to health care is essential. Many Nebraskans leaving prisons or jails are newly eligible for health insurance coverage thanks to Medicaid expansion, and this bill helps ensure that folks leaving correctional facilities are connected to health care coverage upon reentry.”
While there is still significant work to be done to ensure all Nebraskans leaving correctional facilities have access to quality, affordable health care, Nebraska Appleseed thanks Senator John Cavanaugh and the Nebraska Legislature for taking this initial key step to improve the health and wellbeing of Nebraskans. Our communities are stronger when all Nebraskans have access to quality, affordable health care.
###