Nebraska becomes 1st state to implement Medicaid work requirements

Source: ABC News

May 1, 2026, 5:51 PM


Nebraska became the first state on Friday to implement the federal Medicaid work requirements, mandated under President Donald Trump's tax and spending bill that passed last summer.

The bill imposes new 80-hour per month work requirements on able-bodied Medicaid recipients aged 19 to 64 who don't have dependents. These requirements include working or other approved activities, such as school and volunteering. There are exemptions for certain groups, such as parents or guardians of children under age 14 and those with disabilities.

Estimates from the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) suggest approximately 5.2 million Americans nationwide could lose Medicaid coverage by 2034 due to these new work requirements. The CBO estimated the federal policy would increase the number of people uninsured by 4.8 million.

A report from the nonpartisan policy research group Center for Budget and Policy Priorities found that 28,000 to 41,000 Nebraskans are at risk of losing coverage by 2034 following the implementation of work requirements. (this should be higher with the Nebraska mention) Will move up

Read more: https://abcnews.com/US/nebraska-1st-state-implement-medicaid-work-requirements/story?id=132529215