Support Health Care for Hard-Working Nebraskans

It’s still tough out there. Thousands of Nebraskans have lost their jobs or are struggling in jobs without health insurance and don’t have access to affordable health care.

Expanding Medicaid would give hard-working families the security of knowing they can get the care they need and access to critical preventative care.

Nebraska has a one-time opportunity to expand Medicaid to cover 54,000 residents with funding from the federal government. The federal government will pay 100 percent for the first three years, gradually dropping to 90 percent by 2020.

AARP’s Public Policy Institute estimates that more than 19,000 Nebraskans between the ages of 45 to 64 could obtain health coverage under Legislative Bill (LB) 577, the Medicaid expansion bill.

Many people in this age group are struggling with sky-high insurance costs and have given up trying to keep coverage.

LB 577 would expand Medicaid to cover adults without dependent children who are below 138% of the federal poverty level – up to $15,000 for an individual, $20,879 for a couple and $32,000 for a family of four.

A portion of the money financing Medicaid expansion across the nation will come from Nebraska taxpayers and health care providers regardless of whether the state participates in the program.

It’s in the best interests of Nebraskans to ensure some of the money comes back into the state to meet the health care needs of its residents.

As the Nebraska Legislature debates Medicaid expansion in the days and weeks ahead, a new survey from AARP shows the majority of Nebraskans support it.

Not only do Nebraskans believe Medicaid is an important program, they want it expanded so uninsured adults can get the care they need.

Call 1-800-361-2243 and tell your state senator: Don't turn your back on hard-working Nebraskans. Support Medicaid expansion.