A coalition of local and statewide nonprofits and advocacy groups are working to expand access to Medicaid in Nebraska by petitioning to put the issue on the November general-election ballot.
Medicaid is a program jointly funded by the state and federal government. The expansion of the program would allow Nebraska to accept federal funds to help provide health care for the Nebraskans currently in the “coverage gap.” The “gap” refers to Nebraskans who earn too much money to qualify for Medicaid but not enough to afford insurance on the state health care exchange (and don’t get private insurance through their work).
The majority of Medicaid recipients are working or are children; the program exists to cover low-income children and some of their parents; low-income pregnant woman; certain low-income seniors; and some individuals with disabilities who are under the age of 65.
Expanding Medicaid in Nebraska would support jobs and save the state money by expanding access to preventative health care.
For these reasons and more, the League of Women Voters of Greater Omaha supports the Insure the Good Life ballot initiative and the expansion of Medicaid in Nebraska.
Find out more about the efforts to expand Medicaid below.
About Insure The Good Life
Expanding Medicaid in Nebraska would let 90,000 of our hard-working friends and neighbors finally get the health care they need. The Insure The Good Life campaign seeks to do this by putting Medicaid expansion on the ballot for the November 2018 election.
The campaign needs to collect roughly 85,000 total signatures by July 5. The Nebraska Secretary of State must certify the signatures before the measure is placed on the ballot in November.
Organizations endorsing Insure The Good Life
Organizations supporting the effort include: AARP Nebraska, ACLU of Nebraska, Brain Injury Alliance of Nebraska, Center for Rural Affairs, Central Nebraska Peace Workers, Children and Family Coalition of Nebraska, Community Action of Nebraska, Inc., Friends of Public Health, Health Center Association of Nebraska (HCAN), Heartland Workers Center, League of Women Voters of Greater Omaha (LWVGO), Multicultural Coalition of Grand Island, National Council of Jewish Women – Nebraska, Nebraska AIDS Project, Nebraska Appleseed, Nebraska Association of Behavioral Health Organizations, Nebraska Association of Local Health Directors, Nebraska Hospital Association (NHA), Omaha Together One Community (OTOC), PFLAG Grand Island, Planned Parenthood of the Heartland, Voices for Children in Nebraska.
Get involved!
It will take the grassroots efforts of Nebraskans from all over the state to make this a success, and there are many ways you can help out.
We need help from volunteers to collect signatures at public events and among friends and family. Sign up to volunteer in Omaha at this link.
Omaha petition drop-in hours
Weekly through end of June, you can come to the following locations to sign the petition or ask questions about the issue.
Mondays 7-9 a.m. @ Muglife Coffee (2452 Harney St)
Wednesdays 10 a.m.-Noon @ Muglife Coffee
Fridays 10 a.m.-Noon @ Urban Abbey (1026 Jackson St)
To learn more about Medicaid expansion and the Insure The Good Life, visit insurethegoodlife.com!
