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Good morning, and happy August. I hope you’ve been enjoying the summer, because we’re rounding that last corner. The Senate, on its own way to August recess, made news relevant to scientists over the weekend. More matters of interest below.
Confusion in Nebraska as work requirements in effect
Over the weekend, an estimated 200 people in Nebraska lost health care coverage as the state completed its monthslong transition implementing Medicaid work requirements well before the rest of the country. But that number doesn’t tell the whole story: It’s unclear how many denials of new applications have already occurred, local advocates explained at a Friday press call, and more coverage losses are expected. On the call, Nebraskan health leaders lamented widespread confusion around the requirements, slow implementation processes, and a lack of transparency from the state. (The “200” estimate was shared by the state’s Medicaid director in an NPR interview. “It was news to me,” said Sarah Maresh of the advocacy group Nebraska Appleseed.)
“This timeline was not required, it was chosen,” said John Fredrickson, a state senator and health committee member. “Being the first in the nation to take health care away from working people — it’s not the badge of honor that the governor and his allies in the legislature think that it is.”
