The number of COVID-19 cases continues to rise in Nebraska, and so do the number of evictions. In Douglas & Lancaster counties, over 200 eviction hearings have been scheduled, even when most other types of hearings have been shut down. Families with young children, people with disabilities, the elderly, and the immunocompromised are packed into courtrooms to fend off an… Read more →
Recommended Allocation of Remaining CARES Funds Recently, Governor Ricketts announced another round of CARES funded grant programs to help address the ongoing disruptions caused by the Coronavirus pandemic. This round of funding includes $48.5 million in support for non-profits and direct service providers, as well as another $25 million for businesses and ag producers who have not yet received assistance.… Read more →
For over fifty years, Medicaid has provided health care coverage to hundreds of thousands of low-income Nebraskans, helping children in Nebraska succeed in school and keeping the state’s communities healthy. Medicaid not only supports the health and well-being of Nebraskans, it also supports Nebraska’s workforce, health systems, and economy. When people have access to health care through Medicaid, they are… Read more →
Nebraskans’ votes should be honored. Two years ago, in November of 2018, Nebraskans voted for Medicaid expansion to provide health care coverage to thousands of our family members, friends, and neighbors. The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) delayed implementing the program, keeping more than 90,000 Nebraskans from accessing lifesaving Medicaid coverage. This October, eligible Nebraskans were finally… Read more →
Nebraskans can still access free and local assistance during COVID-19 pandemic This is a guest blog post from Marissa Morales, Health Care Access Program Intern The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted thousands of Nebraskans, including many who have lost their health insurance coverage through their jobs. The Health Insurance Marketplace will offer coverage to eligible Nebraskans during the Open Enrollment Period… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** Tuesday, October 20, 2020 Contact: Magdalena Cazarez Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed C: (402) 504-0074 mcazarez@neappleseed.org Nebraska Appleseed Responds to Federal Approval of Medicaid Expansion Waiver Nebraska does not need a complicated waiver system that makes it harder for Nebraskans to access health care Lincoln, NE — Today, Governor Ricketts announced the federal approval of the Section 1115… Read more →
Each year, Appleseed is fortunate to work with bright, talented, and dedicated interns and law clerks who are passionate about fighting for justice and opportunity for all Nebraskans. Although we have had to adjust the way we work during the COVID-19 pandemic, we were able to have interns and clerks join our team from across the nation! Meet some of… Read more →
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 →
Mika Takamori recently joined Appleseed as the new Weitz Fellow. In the midst of the pandemic, she graduated from Carleton College with a Studio Art degree and a History minor. She has lived in a few cities including Tokyo, San Francisco, and Minneapolis and is excited to now be exploring Lincoln! She is passionate about figuring out how to… Read more →
We are all feeling the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, including our immigrant neighbors We need relief during a pandemic. While previous federal COVID-relief efforts have brought support and protection to some, millions of immigrant families have been excluded and continue to struggle during the pandemic across the country. Mixed-status families were excluded from federal COVID-19 relief, even if one… Read more →
On Friday, September 4, 2020 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published an order placing a nationwide moratorium on most evictions for nonpayment of rent through the end of the year. The order went into effect the same day, and provides much-needed protections for Nebraskan families. As many as 107,000 Nebraska renters at risk of eviction Previous measures… Read more →
Many of the essential protections in the CARES Act, passed in March, have now expired, yet Nebraskans continue to be impacted by the COVID-19 public health crisis. While the U.S. House of Representatives passed the HEROES Act, the Senate has yet to act to provide critical and inclusive relief to thousands of Nebraskans, including Black and Latinx communities who have… Read more →
Last Thursday, the Legislature adjourned sine die. They will not officially return until the start of a new legislative session in January. The last few days were filled with farewells to term-limited senators and final votes on remaining bills on final reading. Appleseed saw a few of our priority bills pass last week, too, and those bills have since been… Read more →
Paid leave available for some working parents with children out of school or childcare due to COVID-19 The Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) was the first aid package passed by Congress in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The FFCRA contains paid leave provisions related to the pandemic. The provision that has gotten the most attention provides expanded paid sick… 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 →
Yesterday, the Nebraska Legislature returned to session with now less than 16 days remaining to address the many issues impacting Nebraskans this year. You can find today’s legislative agenda here. Take Action: Essential protections for essential meat and poultry workers For the last several months, we have experienced the drastic impacts COVID-19 has had on meatpacking workers – our family… Read more →
Over two months ago, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the HEROES Act, which closed gaps in previous relief measures to further support families and communities as they continue to confront the COVID-19 public health crisis. It is far past time for the Senate to act to provide critical and inclusive relief to thousands of Nebraskans, including Black and Latinx… Read more →
Advocacy Training: Racial Justice & COVID-19 in Nebraska The effects of the pandemic are widespread, but its health and economic impacts have fallen hardest on Nebraskans of color. The coronavirus has already claimed the lives of hundreds of Nebraskans, but Latinx, Asian, and Black Nebraskans are being hospitalized and dying at significantly higher rates. Join us tonight to prepare and… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** Tuesday, July 7, 2020 Contact: Magdalena Cazarez Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed C: (402) 504-0074 mcazarez@neappleseed.org Nebraskans celebrate at the Countdown to Coverage After years of waiting, Nebraskans will be able to enroll in Medicaid expansion LINCOLN, NE – Today, Nebraskans in the coverage gap and health care community advocates kicked off the long-awaited ‘Countdown to Coverage’ summer… 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 →
Ahora, más que nunca, todos en nuestro estado necesitamos seguro de salud accesible y de calidad. Durante este momento difícil, es vital que todos en Nebraska sepan las opciones de cobertura disponibles. Obteniendo Cobertura Si usted es elegible, usted puede inscribirse en el Marketplace o Medicaid. Seguro a través de Marketplace: Si pierde su cobertura, o sus ingresos del hogar… Read more →
Dear neighbors, Collective Impact Lincoln was created in the spirit of listening to and learning from our neighbors, connecting Lincolnites to resources and power structures within our city, and helping foster resident-led change. As we mourn the death of George Floyd and, most recently, James Scurlock of Omaha, we stand with you to say Black lives matter. We know the… Read more →
Note: This is a guest post from Rich Patton, Nebraska Appleseed volunteer. My name is Rich Patton. I am retired from 37 years of award-winning public school service (teacher, principal, special education director, superintendent). In retirement, I am a performing musician. During the Insure the Good Life campaign in 2018, I volunteered to circulate petitions, deliver letters, and have written… Read more →
***For Immediate Release*** Friday, May 15, 2020 Contact: Magdalena Cazarez Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed O: (402) 438-8853 ext 119 C: (402) 504-0074 mcazarez@neappleseed.org Statement from Executive Director Becky Gould on the passage of the HEROES Act Lincoln, NE — On Friday, The US House of Representatives voted to pass the Health and Economic Recovery Omnibus Emergency Solutions (HEROES) Act. The… Read more →
As early as Friday, the US House of Representatives could vote on the Heroes Act which is designed to close gaps in previous relief measures and support families and communities as they continue to confront the COVID-19 public health crisis and its ripple effects. This bill would provide critical relief to thousands of Nebraskans left out of the CARES Act,… Read more →
