OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) – More than 1,000 Medicaid applications and renewals have been denied since Nebraska started its work requirements six months ago, according to new data from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.
Families and advocates gathered at a town hall in Omaha, where some said getting answers from the state is part of the problem.
State data shows 1,090 denials
From May through August, 557 new Medicaid applications were denied under the requirements. In July and August, another 533 renewals were denied. That totals 1,090. The Department of Health and Human Services, or DHHS, confirmed the numbers are correct.
Of those denials, 956 were because the person did not respond to a notice asking them to prove they met the requirement. The data does not say why they did not respond.
Residents describe their experiences
Cheri Stollar of Lincoln said she put off health care for years because she could not afford it. In 2023, she said, the pain got so bad she went to the emergency room…