Medicaid expansion coverage finally begins today! This moment—after seven years of multiple legislative sessions and a statewide ballot initiative—is made possible because of your support and advocacy. Thank you! Now, more than 90,000 of our family members, friends, and neighbors can get the care they need, and 10,000 Nebraskans have already signed up as of this past weekend. I want… Read more →
Can you believe Medicaid expansion enrollment is only one week away? In these past seven years, we have worked together to bring Medicaid expansion to Nebraska. We put Medicaid expansion on the ballot, and in November of 2018, Nebraskans chose a healthier future for our state. Now, it is officially here. Enrollment for expanded Medicaid coverage is opening soon! On… Read more →
No one should have to fear discrimination when seeking out health care Last Friday afternoon, the Trump administration released an extremely harmful final rule eliminating anti-discrimination protections in health care. This rule rolls back many protections but is especially harmful to people who are transgender or nonbinary, people who have terminated a pregnancy in the past or are seeking to… Read more →
COVID-19 has exposed longstanding systemic inequities in American health care There isn’t one part of American life right now that hasn’t been impacted in some way by COVID-19. However, the data available as the pandemic continues shows that communities of color are disproportionately harmed by the pandemic. Recent data from the Center for Disease Control shows that, despite making up… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** Friday, April 10, 2020 Contact: Molly McCleery Health Care Access Program Director, Nebraska Appleseed C: (641) 891-7201 mmccleery@neappleseed.org Delay of complex waiver provisions bolsters case to start Medicaid expansion now LINCOLN—Today, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services announced changes to how they are moving forward with Medicaid Expansion implementation. In response, Molly McCleery, Health Care… Read more →
Nebraskans need quality, affordable health care without barriers and limitations. We want to share another opportunity for you to voice your concerns with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services’ (DHHS) proposed Medicaid expansion waiver program, also known as the Heritage Health Adult Program. This Thursday, DHHS will be holding a public hearing on their proposed regulations on Medicaid… Read more →
Today marks the 10th anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA)! The ACA has dramatically altered the health care landscape across the United States, including here in Nebraska, and has been a driving force in Appleseed’s work since before its passage. Fighting for Nebraskans’ access to quality, affordable health coverage has long been a core piece of Appleseed’s mission. Alongside… Read more →
We are a state that values the health and well-being of our family members, friends, and neighbors. This is why nearly two years ago, Nebraskans voted to implement Medicaid expansion. However, the state is pursuing a complicated Section 1115 waiver program that includes numerous barriers, including tiered benefits, work requirements, and a waiver of retroactive eligibility. LB815, introduced by Senator… Read more →
Despite comments from hundreds of Nebraskans in opposition, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services submitted their proposed Medicaid expansion waiver with minimal changes to the federal government for approval. Unfortunately, the proposed Section 1115 waiver still includes a two-tiered benefits system, work and wellness requirements, and changes to retroactive eligibility. It is clear that Nebraskans do… Read more →
Press Release December 13, 2019 Contact: Molly McCleery Health Care Access Program Director Nebraska Appleseed O: (402) 438-8853 ext 113 mmccleery@neappleseed.org Medicaid expansion waiver submitted to the federal government with minimal changes The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services’ proposed waiver submitted to federal government despite comments from hundreds of Nebraskans opposing the waiver LINCOLN—Yesterday, the Nebraska Department of… Read more →
Thank you for submitting a comment against the Medicaid expansion waiver and helping us spread the word! With your support, we were able to connect with hundreds of Nebraskans who raised their voices against the Medicaid expansion waiver! The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) proposed to expand Medicaid with a waiver called the Heritage Health Adult Plan, which… Read more →
Today, the Nebraska Department of Health & Human Services released their proposed plan to implement Medicaid expansion, a Section 1115 waiver known as the Heritage Health Adult Program. The proposed waiver includes a two-tiered benefits system, work and wellness requirements, and changes to retroactive eligibility. Over the next month, you have the opportunity to raise concerns about the proposed waiver at public hearings held… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** Friday, October 25, 2019 Contact: Molly McCleery Health Care Access Program Director Nebraska Appleseed Office: (402) 438-8853 Ext 113 mmccleery@neappleseed.org Medicaid expansion proposal raises significant concerns with work requirements and benefits restrictions Concerned Nebraskans have opportunity to provide comments at upcoming hearings LINCOLN—Today, the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services released their proposed plan for implementing… Read more →
You did it. You showed your support for Medicaid expansion. Last Friday, we kicked off the day listening to inspirational health care advocates at our press conference. Then, we filled the room for the Legislature’s Medicaid expansion hearing at the Capitol! Thank you for standing up for Medicaid expansion. But the fight is not over yet. You voted to expand… Read more →
Medicaid turns 54! It’s time for Nebraska to implement Medicaid expansion Today, Medicaid turns 54! Since it began, it’s saved many, many lives, lifting people out of poverty and giving them the chance to pursue their passions and dreams. For decades, Medicaid has provided stable coverage for millions of Americans, including thousands of Nebraskans. Many of Nebraska’s low-income parents,… Read more →
There have been a lot of developments in the last few weeks around Medicaid expansion in Nebraska. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services has announced a series of choices they made that will delay Medicaid expansion’s rollout until 2020, implement a series of complex and costly work requirements, and reduce coverage options for current Medicaid enrollees. On April… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** April 1, 2019 Contact, Molly McCleery Health Care Access Director, Nebraska Appleseed Office: (402) 438-8853, Ext. 113 Email: mmccleery@neappleseed.org Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services Chooses to Ignore Voter Intent in Medicaid Expansion Implementation Proposes to delay start for two more years and adds complex scheme including work requirements LINCOLN – Today, the Nebraska Department of… Read more →
As you know, Nebraska voters approved Initiative 427 this past November to expand Medicaid to 90,000 Nebraskans. Finally, many of our hard-working, uninsured friends and neighbors will be able to get the health coverage that everyone needs. Moving forward with Medicaid expansion We know there are still many questions about next steps for expanding Medicaid and how our leaders will… Read more →
There are only six days left until Election Day, and we’re working hard to get Nebraskans to vote “FOR Initiative 427.” With your continued help, 90,000 of our hard-working neighbors and friends will have a path to a healthier future next week. Here are a few ways you can help leading up to November 6. VOTE – This is the… Read more →
For the last six years, we’ve been fighting tooth and nail to get the Nebraska Legislature to expand Medicaid so that 90,000 hard-working people in our state can finally get the health care they need. For far too long, our lawmakers have failed to provide a way for many of our family, friends, and neighbors to afford the coverage that… Read more →
There has been a lot of talk lately about the need for Congress to fund the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). But what is CHIP, and why is it important? Here’s what is important to know. What is the Children’s Health Insurance Program? The Children’s Health Insurance Program, known as CHIP, is a federal-state partnership program that provides health… Read more →
In the past few weeks, the Trump Administration has announced several significant changes to the American health care system. I recently blogged about the rule changes regarding birth control coverage in employer-sponsored health plans. Here’s another. On October 12, the President announced that the administration would no longer make payments for cost sharing reductions (CSRs) that help people with low… Read more →
On October 6, the Trump Administration issued new rule changes that will impact coverage of birth control in employer-sponsored health insurance plans. We’ve blogged about the birth control rules in the past, and how they’ve been a game changer for women’s health in the U.S. This is a big change to an essential health benefit Under the ACA, plans… Read more →
The fight to protect quality health coverage for Nebraskans is at another critical moment. The Senate officially has until the end of September to use the budget reconciliation process to pass a bill that repeals the Affordable Care Act and dismantles Medicaid with only 50 votes. In recent days, there are reports of momentum growing around a plan sponsored by… Read more →
Today, the Senate released a revised version its health care bill, and it’s another verse in the same song for Nebraskans. The changes to the bill, the “Better Care Reconciliation Act,” do nothing to enhance protections or affordability for Nebraskans’ health insurance. In several big ways, it’s even worse than the original version. Nearly 1 in 10 Nebraskans could still… Read more →
