HEALTH CARE ACCESS
ENSURING ACCESS TO QUALITY, AFFORDABLE HEALTH CARE
The health and wellbeing of our communities depends on the health and wellbeing of all Nebraskans. Health care coverage is a vital part of living a good life. Nebraskans with health insurance are physically healthier – and economically more secure. They seek out preventative care, they see a doctor when they need to, and they’re more likely to bounce back, physically and financially, from injury or illness. We work to ensure:
- Every Nebraskan has access to affordable health coverage.
- Every Nebraskan has the information they need to enroll in and use health insurance.
We’re working to make sure that important laws and programs that provide health care coverage like Medicaid, the Children’s Health Insurance Program, and the Affordable Care Act, are implemented properly in our state and that these programs are simple and easy to use.
KNOW YOUR RIGHTS: GENDER-AFFIRMING CARE FOR YOUTH IN NEBRASKA
Legislative Bill 574 (“LB 574”) passed in May 2023, restricting access to gender affirming care for people under 19 in Nebraska. Emergency regulations took effect Oct. 1, 2023 and were set to expire March 29, 2024. Permanent regulations implementing this bill take effect March 17, 2024.
Under LB 574, starting October 1, 2023, health care providers generally cannot perform some “gender-altering procedures” for people under 19 in Nebraska. Nebraska’s Chief Medical Officer’s regulations, effective March 17, 2024, allow people under 19 to access puberty-blocking drugs or cross-sex hormones if certain requirements are met.
Download this Fact Sheet to learn more about access to gender affirming care after LB 574.
If you are or expect to be experiencing difficulty accessing or providing gender affirming care as a result of LB 574, please contact Nebraska Appleseed’s Community Assistance Line at 402-438-8853 ext. 205 or neappleseed.org/gethelp to speak about your experiences, and contact ACLU of Nebraska at gethelp@aclunebraska.org to speak about your rights.
For 24/7 confidential crisis support, call the Trevor Project at 1-866-488-7386 or text 678-678.
For questions about your specific care, please consult with your medical provider.
Note: The term “gender-altering procedure” is the legal term used and defined by LB 574 and is not intended to dis-affirm the experiences, perspectives, and necessity of gender affirming care.