Access to quality health care is a key element of “The Good Life” we live in Nebraska, as it keeps our state’s residents working and thriving. And for many Nebraskans, Medicaid and the Children’s Health Insurance Program are essential to getting the care they need.
“A Healthy Nebraska,” OpenSky’s overview of Medicaid in the Cornhusker State, has been updated with the latest information on funding and significant recent developments, including Medicaid expansion, changes in the program during the COVID-19 public health emergency and the “unwind” that’s currently underway.
Some key numbers to consider:
- 20%: Nearly 20% – over $1 billion – of the state’s General Fund budget is dedicated to Medicaid and CHIP. Appropriations to Nebraska’s Medicaid program grew an average of 6.5% annually from State FY10 to State FY23.
- 381,495: The number of Nebraskans who received health care coverage through Medicaid or CHIP in September 2023.
- 12: On January 1, Nebraska’s state Medicaid program extended coverage of eligible women to 12 months postpartum.
- 58.6%: In Federal FY24, the federal government will reimburse the state 58.6% of the costs of most Medicaid beneficiaries. The rate changes annually.
- 2018: Nebraska voters approved Medicaid expansion through a ballot initiative, with 53% of voters supporting expansion in 2018. By August 2022, 72,000 Nebraskans had gained coverage as a result of Medicaid expansion. To date, Medicaid expansion has been implemented in 40 states.
- 38,678: Since annual eligibility reviews resumed for Medicaid participants in March 2023, 38,678 enrollees lost their health care coverage for procedural reasons, such as failing to complete required paperwork in a timely manner.
- 3%: In 2023, the Legislature approved Medicaid provider rate increases of 3% in FY24. The governor, however, vetoed a 2% increase in FY25.
Download the updated Medicaid primer today.
Presentations planned in McCook, Scottsbluff
Dr. Rebecca Firestone, OpenSky’s executive director, will be in McCook on Tuesday for a presentation to a civic group and in Scottsbluff on Wednesday for a public information session on the state’s budget and tax policy.
If you are interested in attending, or having OpenSky share research and analysis to your group, contact us at info@openskypolicy.org.
