Nebraska seeks temporary Medicaid work requirements exemption for Dawson County

LINCOLN — Nebraska Gov. Jim Pillen has directed the state’s largest agency to seek federal approval to temporarily waive new Medicaid work requirements in Dawson County.

Pillen directed the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to seek a temporary high-unemployment exemption. Dawson County had the highest monthly unemployment rate in the state in April, at 19.9% not seasonally adjusted in preliminary data, in part following the closure of the Tyson food processing plant. The plant closed in January.

The exemption can be sought if a county’s unemployment rate exceeds 8% or is at least 1.5 times the national average, which was 4.3% in April. Nebraska’s unemployment rate was 3%.

“Since the Tyson plant closure was announced, I have directed every available resource and state agency to do everything possible to support the Lexington community,” Pillen said in a Friday statement. “This request to CMS (Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services) is another step to help provide relief and support to our fellow Nebraskans.”

A news release says Pillen has also directed state agencies to continue coordinating workforce assistance, job placement services, benefit navigation and community support resources for those impacted by the Tyson closure.

If the state’s request is approved, Medicaid expansion recipients living in Dawson County wouldn’t need to meet federally mandated work requirements to get or keep Medicaid. 

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Broadly, the requirements mandate that certain adults receiving Medicaid who are between the ages of 19 and 64 must work, volunteer or attend school for at least 80 hours per month, earn at least $580 a month or qualify for an exemption to keep or retain Medicaid.

Among those who are exempt are people who are pregnant, have a disability, are a parent or caretaker of a young child or are veterans with a total disability rating.

Nebraska implemented new work requirements eight months early. The federal government this week issued its proposal for what states would need to require by Jan. 1.

Nebraska DHHS has said roughly 25,000 of the 72,000 adult Nebraskans enrolled through Medicaid expansion will eventually be subject to the updated work requirements beginning at their next renewal period.

“Our focus remains on helping Nebraskans get back on their feet and connected with new opportunities,” Nebraska DHHS CEO Steve Corsi said in a Friday statement. 

He continued: “Under Governor Pillen’s direction, DHHS and our partner agencies are continuing to work closely with local leaders, employers and community organizations to ensure impacted residents have access to the support and services they need.”