The League of Women Voters of Lincoln/Lancaster County identified Elder care as an issue they wanted to study at their annual Program Planning meeting early this year and voted to support a study at their annual meeting in April. While LWVUS and LWVNE have a position on Child care, there is not a position at any level on Elder care.

As the team of LVVLL members began to explore the topic, they found that much of the data as it relates to Elder care is statewide (and beyond).

For example, Nebraska has seen the closure of 44 nursing homes and 35 assisted living facilities since 2015 in Nebraska, the majority in rural areas. Low Medicaid reimbursement contributes to this crisis. Sixty percent of Nebraska nursing home residents rely on Medicaid to pay for their care. Governor Pillen’s proposed budget included no increase in Medicaid rates.

This study team is led by Scott Larson and Carol Hinkle. If you have a passion on this topic and would like to join this study team, please click here.

This has been shared by LWVNE on behalf of League of Women Voters of Lincoln/Lancaster County to encourage participation from across the state.