***For Immediate Release*** April 15, 2016 Contact, Jeff Sheldon Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed Office: (402) 438-8853 Mobile: (402) 840-7289 jsheldon@neappleseed.org Nebraska Appleseed Statement on Governor’s veto of LB 947 Needless veto wastes skills, talent of thousands of hard-working young Nebraskans LINCOLN — Today, Nebraska Appleseed Executive Director Rebecca Gould issued the following statement on Governor Ricketts’ veto… Read more →
Tag: Governor
Appleseed Statement on 2016 State of the State Address
***For Immediate Release*** January 14, 2016 Contact, Jeff Sheldon Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed Office: (402) 438-8853 Mobile: (402) 840-7289 jsheldon@neappleseed.org Nebraska Appleseed issues response to 2016 State of the State Address Today, Nebraska Appleseed Executive Director Rebecca Gould issued the following statement in response to the Governor’s State of the State Address. “In his State of the… Read more →
RELEASE – Faith and community organizations’ letter to Gov. Ricketts urges compassion for refugees
***For Immediate Release*** November 24, 2015 Contact, Jeff Sheldon Communications Director, Nebraska Appleseed (402) 438-8853 (office) (402) 840-7289 (cell) jsheldon@neappleseed.org Faith and community organizations send letter to Gov. Ricketts urging compassion for Refugees Letter asks Governor to rescind request not to settle Syrian refugees in Nebraska LINCOLN – Today, a group of 31 Nebraska community and faith… Read more →
Take Action – Urge Governor to sign DREAMers driver’s license bill
You did it! Today, the Nebraska Legislature voted 34-9 on Final Reading to pass LB 623, the bill that will allow young immigrant Nebraskans known as “DREAMers” to apply for driver’s licenses. But, there’s one more step you need to take. Please contact Governor Ricketts and urge him to sign the bill so Nebraska can become the final state to… Read more →
Nebraska losing over $4 billion by not expanding Medicaid
This week the Urban Institute released a fiscal study of the effects felt by states that have not chosen to fully implement the Affordable Care Act by expanding Medicaid to people who make up to 138 percent of the Federal Poverty Level. This study shows us just how much it’s costing Nebraska’s health care system to continue to forgo expanding… Read more →
Legislative Update
It’s a busy time in the Nebraska Legislature as bill introduction concludes this week and committee hearings begin. Several key bills that Appleseed is closely following were introduced last week and still more will be in committee hearings this week. Appleseed responds to Governor’s State of the State Address Governor Heineman issued his State of the State Address on Wednesday,… Read more →
Nebraska Appleseed Statement on Governor’s State of the State Address
Today, Nebraska Appleseed Executive Director Becky Gould issued the following statement in response to the Governor’s State of the State Address. “This morning, Governor Heineman laid out his priorities for the next year in his State of the State Address. We agree with the Governor that Nebraskans value family, hard work, and fiscal responsibility and that the actions we take… Read more →
LB 216 will make a difference – thank you
Yesterday, the Nebraska Legislature passed LB 216 on a vote of 44-2. LB 216 will allow Nebraska to join more than a dozen other states in taking an option under the federal Fostering Connections Act to create a program of voluntary services and support to age 21 for young people who age out of foster care. LB 216 will make… Read more →
One Step Closer to a Bright Future
Groups of young Nebraskans waiting in the Capitol lobby to speak with senators has become a regular occurrence this legislative session when LB 216, the bill to extend voluntary services and support to age 21 for young people who age out of foster care, is a topic of discussion. Tuesday was no different, with members and staff of Project Everlast… Read more →
Appleseed proud to support LB 577 for greater health care access for Nebraskans
If you’ve been a follower of Appleseed for very long at all, you will have gathered one of our biggest priorities is making sure every Nebraskan has the ability to see a doctor when they or their families become sick or injured. Yesterday, Appleseed was proud to testify in support of LB 577, Senator Kathy Campbell’s bill that would implement… Read more →
Legislative Update
Because of the snow storm Thursday, the Legislature canceled hearings for Feb. 21. Those hearings have been rescheduled for Tuesday, March 5 at 9:15 a.m. Appleseed did testify on a number of bills in committee last week Health Care Access LB 568 – In its original form, this bill would have required a restrictive licensing process for navigators who will… Read more →
Appleseed joins dozens of testifiers opposing regressive tax plan
Yesterday, Appleseed joined dozens of testifiers from around the state – farmers and business leaders, college students and faith groups, health care administrators and advocates – in opposing the regressive tax plan laid out in LB 405. In a hearing that went for nine-and-a-half hours, Nebraskans from all over the state waited well into the night to tell the Revenue… Read more →
Regressive tax plan would threaten “The Good Life”
We oppose LB 405 because it would result in a regressive tax structure that puts that good life at risk. By depleting a significant portion of revenue for the state, this proposal reverses the investments we have made for generations in the very things that make Nebraska strong – great public education, safe communities, and healthy families. We recognize the… Read more →
Legislative Update
News and Updates from the Nebraska Unicameral Every week during the 2013 Legislative session, Nebraska Appleseed will publish a Legislative Update. In these updates we will keep you informed on the progression of bills Appleseed is interested in, including Legislative testimony given by Appleseed staff, as well as ways you can get involved and make your voice heard on the… Read more →
New Medicaid program gaining momentum as states recognize benefits
As state Legislatures come back into session this month and budget discussions begin, the new Medicaid option under the Affordable Care Act is gaining momentum. In the past week alone, the governors of Arizona and North Dakota, who both had previously spoken out against the ACA, included the new Medicaid plan in their budgets because of the economic benefits that… Read more →
Nebraska Appleseed issues response to State of the State Address
Nebraska Appleseed Executive Director Becky Gould issued the following statement in response to the Governor’s State of the State Address today. “This morning, Governor Heineman laid out his priorities for the next year in his State of the State Address. We agree that the State of Nebraska is strong and a great place to live. Because of this, we are… Read more →
The Rural Implications of Health Insurance Coverage in Nebraska
The Center for Rural Affairs recently released a new report on health insurance coverage in Nebraska. The report highlights the need for full implementation of the Affordable Care Act in Nebraska, including the new Medicaid program. Our rural counties have higher rates of uninsured, as well as poorer health outcomes, than our cities. The new Medicaid program could cut the… Read more →
103rd Legislature presents chances to better lives of all Nebraskans
On Wednesday, the 1st session of the 103rd Nebraska Legislature will be convened at the state Capitol. In the session, our lawmakers will hear debate and vote on bills that address a number of vital issues in our state. Nebraska Appleseed is excited for the chance to work with our leaders to fight for equal justice and opportunity for all… Read more →
Appleseed 2012 Year in Review – Health Care Access
This is part of a series looking back on Nebraska Appleseed’s work in 2012. Health care legislation took a prominent place in the news in 2012, and Nebraska Appleseed was on the front lines of the fight to ensure all Nebraskans have access to affordable, quality health care. Restoring prenatal care for all low-income Nebraska children In April, a great… Read more →
The Cost and Coverage Implications of the New Medicaid Program
Linda Manns from Bellevue had health insurance all her life, until she recently lost her job as a certified nurse assistant. Linda has diabetes, which kept her from working mandatory overtime her employer required, which she said resulted in her being let go. Recently, Linda got an infection in her toe. Without health insurance, she couldn’t afford to go to the… Read more →
Nebraska Appleseed Statement on Nebraska’s health insurance exchange plan
Today, Governor Heineman announced that the state would default to a federally facilitated exchange in Nebraska. Nebraska Appleseed Executive Director Rebecca L. Gould issued the following statement in response: “Now that Nebraska has decided the federal government will facilitate our exchange, Nebraska Appleseed looks forward to working with federal and state officials to ensure the system is focused on the… Read more →
Appleseed editorial: ‘Nebraska cannot waste chance to build exchange’
“The simple fact is everyone in Nebraska is going to get sick at some time in their life and require medical care. But, not all Nebraskans are able to afford the cost of a trip to the doctor.” This is the start of an editorial in today’s Lincoln Journal Star written by Jennifer Carter, director of Appleseed’s Health Care Access… Read more →
Health Insurance Exchange Meeting in Omaha Tonight – Make Your Voice Heard
The Department of Insurance is holding a public meeting tonight in Omaha where you will have the chance to weigh in on what a health insurance exchange – or marketplace – would look like in Nebraska and how it would work for consumers. This is your opportunity to make your voice heard and to ask any questions you might have!… Read more →
Consumer Advocates Weigh in on Nebraska State Health Exchange
This morning, Governor Heineman invited a broad range of consumer advocates to give testimony on the creation of a state-based health insurance exchange in Nebraska. Nebraska Appleseed was one of the organizations that offered testimony – expressing our hopes that a state exchange will be focused on the consumer and increase access and affordability of coverage. The Affordable Care Act… Read more →
Public Hearings on Health Care
As Nebraska moves forward in implementing the Affordable Care Act, a crucial part is in the creation of an Exchange, and it is imperative that your voice is heard! The Exchange will serve thousands of Nebraskans, and will be the place many access health insurance and get premium tax credits. As a result, it is critical that the exchange focus… Read more →
