Medicaid & Access in Nebraska: Health advocates say Nebraska’s “rushed” rollout of new Medicaid work requirements is creating barriers for patients, including long waits for help and unanswered questions as enforcement ramps up. Public Health & Heat: A dangerous Western heat dome is pushing tens of millions under heat alerts, raising major public health risks and extreme fire danger. Food Assistance: SNAP benefit schedules for August 2026 were released, with states using different timing rules for EBT payments. Mental Health: A new look at depression rates highlights how symptoms have risen in recent years and that many people still don’t get treatment. Blood Supply: LifeServe and the Red Cross are urging blood donations as summer demand and incidents can quickly drain hospital supplies. Local Wellness: Nebraska doctors encourage back-to-school physicals to catch vision, hearing, dental, nutrition, sleep, and mental health issues early. Community Health Education: Beyond Vision LNK is promoting more eye health education in Nebraska K–12 schools, focusing on problems that standard screenings can miss. Safety & Care: A Bennington-area sports medicine training brought together EMS, athletic trainers, and coaches to improve emergency response for serious injuries on the field. Health Policy & Rights: Anti-trans ballot measures are set for November in multiple states, including Nebraska, as debates over youth care and sports eligibility intensify.