NewsMother JonesMay 1, 2026United States
Nebraska Implements New Medicaid Work Requirements
Nebraska has become the first state to implement mandatory work requirements for Medicaid expansion recipients under the federal 'One Big Beautiful Bill Act.' Approximately 70,000 adults under age 65 in the state may now face potential loss of coverage if they do not meet new employment criteria.
Read the full story at Mother JonesWhy It Matters
Approximately 70,000 low-income adults in Nebraska under age 65 are now subject to new work reporting requirements to maintain their Medicaid health insurance coverage.
Key Facts
- Nebraska is the first state to enact Medicaid work requirements under the federal One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
- The policy affects approximately 70,000 Medicaid expansion recipients in Nebraska under the age of 65.
- Nebraska implemented these requirements seven months ahead of the federal January 1, 2027 deadline.
- Exemptions exist for certain groups, including pregnant individuals and those with specific chronic illnesses.
- The state will review work requirement exemptions every six months.
- Long Covid is currently not listed as a qualifying condition for an exemption from work requirements in Nebraska.
- The federal Health and Human Services Secretary is expected to release an interim rule regarding these requirements by June 1.
- The legislation is associated with approximately $1 trillion in total Medicaid funding cuts.
Who's Mentioned
dollar_amount$1 trillion“Total value of Medicaid cuts associated with the legislation.”organizationCenter on Budget and Policy Priorities“ jobs. This underlines how rhetoric around work requirements is just false. The ”bill_numberOne Big Beautiful Bill Act“Federal legislation mandating Medicaid work requirements.”personEdwin Park“Georgetown University professor providing analysis on disability protections.”personRobert F. Kennedy Jr.“Health and Human Services Secretary responsible for upcoming interim rules.”dateJanuary 1, 2027“Federal deadline for state implementation of work requirements.”locationNebraska“First state to implement the new Medicaid work requirements.”organizationCenter on Budget and Policy Priorities“Policy group analyzing the implementation timeline and impact.”