AGP Executive Report

Medicaid paperwork snafus in Nebraska: New state data show most Nebraskans denied Medicaid at renewal under the work requirement weren’t rejected for missing hours—they were denied for not returning requested information (490 of 533 denials), a reminder to watch mail. Federal eligibility change for some noncitizens: Nebraska DHHS says new federal Medicaid rules tied to the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” could affect about 1,000 people enrolled in the program. Cancer warning for younger women: NIH research finds several cancers rising in adults under 50, including endometrial cancer, with abnormal bleeding flagged as a key symptom. Flu shots for UNL students: University Health Center will run free walk-in flu shot clinics in October and November for enrolled students, with parental consent rules for those 18 and younger. Skilled nursing expansion: Ensign Group announced new operations in Washington, Florida, and Colorado, expanding senior care and rehab services. Child safety support in Nebraska: Faith Health Child Advocacy Center received backing through the Norfolk Area United Way campaign. Workforce/child care navigation in Kearney: A new employer-style care navigation partnership aims to help families find child care faster and ease provider financial strain.

Child Safety & Justice: A Red Cloud man, Tyler J. Brooks, has been charged with child abuse resulting in death and false reporting after an 8-year-old child died at Children’s Hospital in Omaha; he was taken into custody Oct. 1 pending extradition. Medicaid & Access: Nebraska is being flagged as a “canary in the coal mine” for Medicaid work requirements after advocacy groups reported confusion and coverage loss during early rollout. Drug Prices & Accountability: Nebraska and other states are watching as attorneys general seek court approval of a $400 million Sandoz settlement tied to alleged generic drug price-fixing and reduced competition. ACA Refunds: The Trump administration has begun mailing $500 ACA refund checks to about 950,000 people in 30 states, including Nebraska, for alleged HealthCare.gov user-fee overcharges. Local Health Disruption: Flooding near Nebraska Medicine in Bellevue has blocked a main route, forcing ambulances through neighborhoods during the morning rush. Youth Services: A federal lawsuit alleges Omaha teen abuse at a Nebraska youth rehabilitation center and claims staff allowed abuse to continue and punished the teen for reporting it. Nutrition & Wellness: Nebraska’s “Battle of the Beans” recipe contest aims to promote plant-based protein in schools, tied to the Beanstock curriculum.

Medicaid Access in Focus: Nebraska advocates warn the state’s federally required Medicaid work rules could create avoidable barriers to care, urging officials to reduce red tape as requirements roll out. Generic Drug Refunds: Nebraska residents are being urged to check eligibility and file claims tied to a multistate settlement over inflated generic drug prices, with Wyoming AG Keith Kautz highlighting deadlines and the online portal. ACA $500 Checks: The Trump administration has started mailing $500 “Obamacare refund” checks to nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states who bought coverage through the federal marketplace without premium help, with eligibility tied to “user fee” overcharges. Local Care & Coverage: Project Connect Lincoln drew hundreds facing homelessness or financial hardship, pairing attendees with navigators and offering on-site medical, behavioral health, dental, vision, and crisis services. Health Workforce News: Dr. Josiah McAllister joined Johnson County Hospital’s family practice team, seeing patients at Adams Primary Care and Tecumseh Family Health. Community Health Events: Nebraska Kids Fitness & Nutrition Day is set for Oct. 6 in Hastings, bringing health lessons to about 325 fourth-graders. Awareness: The Facial Pain Association marked Facial Pain Awareness Month with a push for better recognition and care for neuropathic facial pain disorders. Public Health Disruption: Storm flooding and mudslides are causing major Omaha road and school bus disruptions, with OPS urging families to track buses and use extra time.

ACA Refund Checks: The Trump administration has begun mailing $500 refund checks to nearly 1 million Americans in 30 states using the federal HealthCare.gov marketplace, saying people were overcharged via exchange user fees; Nebraska is on the eligible list, while state-run marketplaces like California and New York are excluded. Nebraska Health Workforce & Care: Humphrey nurse Jenna Hesse was named the Nebraska Nurses Association’s 2026 nurse of the year, and Chadron Hospital received the 2026 Governor’s Wellness Harvester Award for workplace wellness. Cancer Prevention Push: Sen. Elissa Slotkin introduced bipartisan legislation to expand ovarian cancer prevention and care, including genetic counseling/testing and access to gynecologic oncology specialists, with Nebraska Rep. Don Bacon backing a House companion bill. Medicaid & Safety Net Changes: Nebraska DHHS is preparing to launch a redesigned TANF Employment First pilot on Oct. 1, shifting from compliance to individualized coaching and training. Local Wellness for Kids: Nebraska Kids Fitness & Nutrition Day returns Oct. 6 in Hastings, teaching fourth-graders physical activity and nutrition basics. Health Data & Fraud: A former public defender in western Iowa was sentenced to prison for Medicaid and cancer patient fraud involving breast prosthetic billing, and a multistate Labcorp settlement targets a 2019 data breach tied to a medical collections vendor.

Cancer Care: NIH-linked reporting finds rising endometrial cancer rates and deaths among younger women, with Nebraska resident stories highlighting how symptoms like abnormal bleeding can be missed when people expect cancer only later in life. Behavioral Health & Addiction Treatment: Regional West Physicians Clinic-Psychiatry & Behavioral Health is launching a new intensive outpatient program for adults 19+ with drug and alcohol addiction, using counseling and group therapy over about 12 weeks. Opioid Settlement Strategy: Nebraska counties are leaning toward sending opioid settlement dollars to regional behavioral health authorities to expand local substance-use treatment, especially where counties lack psychiatrists. Medicaid Work Rules Confusion: Montana’s rollout shows how Medicaid work requirements can leave patients confused—an issue Nebraska is also navigating as early rules take effect. TANF Employment First Update: Nebraska DHHS will launch a redesigned Employment First program Oct. 1 under a federal TANF pilot, shifting from compliance to individualized career planning. Consumer Drug Pricing: Nebraska AG Mike Hilgers urges eligible consumers to claim compensation tied to inflated generic drug prices after preliminary approval of a multistate settlement plan. Public Health & Safety: Lincoln Fire and Rescue and a Nebraska blood bank partnership expand pre-hospital blood transfusion to improve survival after traumatic crashes. Child Welfare Infrastructure: Nebraska DHHS received a federal grant to modernize child welfare licensing, including expanded fingerprinting access and better data tracking. Veteran Mental Health: Omaha nonprofit At Ease USA received nearly $260,000 to expand veteran suicide prevention services.

Medicaid Cuts: New federal rules could force three dozen states, including Florida, to cut Medicaid payments to doctors and hospitals by more than $50 billion, raising fears that fewer providers will accept Medicaid patients. Nebraska TANF Update: DHHS says it will launch a redesigned Employment First Program as part of a TANF pilot on Oct. 1. EMS Blood Program: Lincoln Fire and Rescue is rolling out a pre-hospital blood transfusion program, partnering with the Nebraska Community Blood Bank to carry packed red blood cells for critical trauma calls. Data Breach Settlement: A coalition of 44 attorneys general reached a multistate settlement with Labcorp tied to the 2019 AMCA data breach, affecting millions nationwide. Rural Doctor Pipeline: HRSA announced $11.2 million for rural residency planning grants across 14 states, but new doctors won’t arrive for years. Local Health Policy Watch: Early Nebraska Medicaid work-rule data show many enrollees qualify via work or exclusions, while some face denials.

Rural Health & Tech: Louisiana is putting $20 million a year for five years into health tech startup “catalyst” funding aimed at improving rural outcomes, with Nebraska among other states pursuing similar efforts. Drug Prices & Consumer Relief: South Carolina AG Alan Wilson is urging consumers to file claims tied to multistate settlements over alleged generic drug price-fixing, with preliminary court approval for a distribution plan. Medicaid Work Rules: Confusion and anxiety are mounting as states roll out Medicaid work requirements earlier than expected, leaving enrollees unsure when they must prove compliance. Public Health & Food Security: Nebraska SNAP enrollment is dropping sharply, and advocates warn the declines may mean more children are losing access to food assistance. Water Safety: Gov. Jim Pillen highlighted Gibbon’s $15 million water infrastructure support to address elevated manganese in drinking water. Trauma Care: Lincoln Fire and Rescue is launching a program to carry packed red blood cells on EMS units to improve survival chances in traumatic crashes. Local Care Access: Nebraska Medicine governance moves forward as UNL Regents approve new representatives for the Nebraska Medicine board.

SNAP in Nebraska: Enrollment is dropping fast, and advocates warn many families losing benefits are children, with July participation down sharply year over year. Nebraska Medicine governance: NU Regents approved new university representatives for the Nebraska Medicine board, continuing changes to the hospital’s governance structure. Medicaid payment pressure: New federal rules could cut Medicaid payments to doctors and hospitals in about three dozen states, raising concerns about fewer providers serving Medicaid patients. Free dental care for veterans: Nebraska’s VETMOM mission of mercy delivered more than $611,000 in free dental services to hundreds of veterans and spouses. Child safety case in Lincoln: Police arrested parents after a 2-year-old was found wandering alone; the children were allegedly left home with a 9-month-old for hours. Data breach settlement: 44 state attorneys general reached a multistate settlement tied to a Labcorp-related data breach, including injunctive relief and payments to states. Health-related policy debate: Nebraska’s midwife-assisted home birth restrictions are headed to an appeal, as mothers challenge the ruling. Community health & safety: FEMA approved over $14M for Iowa disaster recovery and flood mitigation projects, including work tied to public health and safety.

Maternal & Birth Policy: Nebraska mothers are appealing a ruling that upholds state restrictions on midwife-assisted home births, as some families also turn to “free birth” to keep babies close and supported. Public Health & Environment: A new review finds the herbicide atrazine is contaminating about 25% of continental U.S. rivers at levels that can harm wildlife and may threaten human health, raising fresh pressure for stricter pesticide rules. Health Care Access: The Trump administration says it canceled ACA marketplace coverage for 760,000 people, citing fraud or that enrollees “do not exist,” while critics warn it will push families deeper into poverty. Medicaid Payments: Federal rules are expected to cut Medicaid payments to doctors and hospitals in three dozen states by more than $50 billion, potentially shrinking provider participation for Medicaid patients. Local Care & Community Support: Omaha’s Salem Baptist Church held a large free food and flu-shot event, while Sioux City plans a resource fair for people experiencing homelessness that includes help with medical needs.

Medicaid Access Pressure: New federal rules could cut Medicaid payments to doctors and hospitals by more than $50B across three dozen states, raising fears providers will limit care for Medicaid patients. ACA Marketplace Disruptions: The Trump administration canceled coverage for 760,000 people on ACA Marketplace plans, citing fraud and “nonexistent” enrollees, while also freezing new agent/broker registrations for 2027. Medicaid Work Rules Tighten: At least six states will require medical proof for Medicaid work exemptions instead of relying on enrollees’ own statements, potentially leaving sicker people without documentation. Nebraska Health & Safety: Omaha’s Salem Baptist Church held a large free food and flu-shot event for people facing rising costs, while Norfolk police reported a teen taken into custody after a stabbing with the victim transported for non-life-threatening injuries. Care Workforce & Access: Riverwood Healthcare Center announced it will add urologist Dr. Grant McCormick to expand specialty urology services in rural Nebraska. Public Health & Data: A multistate settlement with Labcorp over a 2019 data breach highlights ongoing pressure on healthcare companies to protect patient information.

SNAP “benefits cliff” in Nebraska: Federal researchers say families can lose more SNAP food help than they gain when earnings cross eligibility limits, leaving some households worse off even after raises or extra hours. Data privacy in healthcare: A multistate coalition, including Maryland AG Anthony G. Brown, announced a $2.3 million settlement with Labcorp tied to a 2019 data breach involving AMCA, affecting 451,558 Marylanders and exposing sensitive personal information. Maternal-newborn care in Omaha: Nebraska Medicine hosted its annual Halloween-themed NICU reunion, bringing families and staff together to celebrate babies’ progress from intensive care to thriving at home. Mental health and legal access: Nebraska lawmakers face renewed pressure after allegations of abuse at YRTC-Kearney, with families arguing therapy costs and suing the state remain major barriers. Sports safety spotlight: Oregon QB Dante Moore was taken by ambulance after a late hit vs. USC; coach Dan Lanning said Moore was moving and “in recovery,” while backup Dylan Raiola led Oregon to a 41-27 win.

Maternal Health & Legal Rights: Nebraska mothers Emily Tvrdy and Amanda Musilek are appealing a federal judge’s denial of a preliminary injunction against the state’s ban on nurse midwives assisting in home births, arguing it violates religious freedom and choice while the court says the restriction protects health and safety. Mental Health Access: Chrysalis Health and Curaechoice are teaming up to expand no-cost mental health services for employer plans, including in Nebraska, with in-person and virtual counseling and psychiatric care. Child Welfare Funding: Nebraska DHHS won nearly $1.5M in federal grants to modernize child welfare licensing and systems, including faster background checks and improved information flow for foster and kin caregivers. Patient Data & Accountability: Nebraska’s AG joined multistate actions tied to Labcorp/AMCA data breaches, with settlements totaling millions and promises of stronger vendor oversight for sensitive patient information. Public Health & Pets: Parvovirus cases in the Omaha area are dropping, and local rescues are continuing vaccination clinics as demand eases. Healthcare Workforce Governance: UNL Regents approved four new members to represent the university system on the Nebraska Medicine board, formalizing governance changes. Community Health Infrastructure: Gov. Pillen highlighted Norfolk’s $38M wastewater anaerobic digestion project under ONE RED, aiming to improve health and safety through upgraded wastewater capacity.

Home Birth Legal Fight: Two Nebraska mothers are appealing a federal judge’s denial of a preliminary injunction against the state’s ban on nurse midwives assisting home births, arguing it violates religious rights and limits safe choice. Nebraska Medicine Governance: The NU Board of Regents approved four new members to represent the university system on the Nebraska Medicine board as governance is formalized with the Omaha Community Foundation. Mental Health Access Deal: Chrysalis Health and Curaechoice are teaming up to expand no-cost mental health services for employer plans, including in Nebraska. Child Welfare Funding: Nebraska DHHS won nearly $1.5 million in federal grants to modernize licensing and improve the child welfare system, including faster background checks and better support for kin caregivers. Data Privacy Enforcement: Nebraska is among states in a multistate $2.3 million settlement with Labcorp tied to a 2019 patient data breach involving a medical debt collector. Public Health Alerts: Nebraska reported additional mosquito samples testing positive for West Nile virus and Cache Valley virus, urging residents to “fight the bite.” Research & Cancer: RefinedScience announced expansion of a pancreatic cancer dataset effort aimed at better capturing patient-to-patient biology for personalized therapies. Rehab Success Story: Madonna Rehabilitation Hospitals highlighted a Great Bend woman’s recovery after a pregnancy-related aneurysm and stroke, marking major therapy gains.

Nebraska Medicine Governance: The NU Board of Regents approved four new “Nebraska Medicine” board members, including Crete Carrier CEO Tonn Ostergard, as part of formalizing the system’s updated governance structure with the Omaha Community Foundation. Mental Health Access: Chrysalis Health and Curaechoice are teaming up to expand no-cost mental health services for employer plans, with Nebraska included among states served. Public Health & Safety: Nebraska DHHS received nearly $1.5 million in federal grants to modernize child welfare licensing and systems, aiming to reduce delays and improve caregiver support. Patient Data Accountability: Nebraska Attorney General Jeff Jackson joined a multistate push tied to Labcorp/AMCA’s 2019 patient data breach, with settlements requiring stronger vendor oversight. Mosquito Warning: Adams County mosquito testing found West Nile virus and Cache Valley virus, prompting “Fight the Bite” prevention reminders. Local Health Infrastructure: Gov. Pillen highlighted a $38 million ONE RED wastewater project in Norfolk, linking infrastructure upgrades to community health and safety.

Medicaid Access in Focus: A new Health Affairs analysis says federal rules could cut Medicaid payments to doctors and hospitals in 17 states, including Nebraska, by $50B+ total—raising fears providers will see fewer Medicaid patients. Data Privacy: Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers announced a multistate $2.3M settlement with Labcorp over a 2019 data breach tied to its debt collector, AMCA, affecting 27.5M people nationwide and 9,777 Nebraska residents. Opioid Safety: Central Community College in Kearney held “Save a Life Day” with free naloxone kits and overdose-prevention info, partnering with Two Rivers Health Department. Childcare & Poverty: Omaha launched an anonymous citywide childcare survey as part of its anti-poverty plan, aiming to lower childcare costs and improve healthcare access. Youth Protection: Nebraska’s DHHS plans to launch a redesigned TANF Employment First pilot in October, shifting from compliance to individualized coaching and training. Juvenile Abuse Lawsuit Barrier: A report highlights how hard it can be for families to sue Nebraska over alleged abuse by state employees at the YRTC-Kearney.

Medicaid Access: New federal rules could cut Medicaid payments to doctors and hospitals in three dozen states, including Nebraska, by more than $50 billion total—raising fears some providers will limit Medicaid patients. Data Breach Accountability: Nebraska Attorney General Mike Hilgers joined a multistate $2.3 million settlement with Labcorp over a 2019 data breach tied to its debt collector, with reforms focused on vendor data security. Opioid Overdose Prevention: Central Community College Kearney held a Save a Life Day with free naloxone kits, overdose education, and disposal resources in partnership with local health departments. Childcare & Poverty: Omaha launched an anonymous citywide parent survey to guide its five-year anti-poverty plan, targeting affordable childcare and healthcare access. Public Health & Safety: Nebraska’s Water Conference is set for Oct. 15-16, with sessions on groundwater, emerging contaminants, and water use in data centers. Community Mental Health: A Norfolk panel highlighted how social media and AI are affecting students’ mental health and relationships. Cancer Research Fundraiser: Team Jack Foundation’s Radiothon raised awareness and funds for pediatric brain cancer research, aiming for $200,000.