MEDIA CONTACT
Collin Spilinek, (531) 739-7920,
collin.spilinek@nebraska.gov
Lincoln, NE – The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) has approved a request from Governor Jim Pillen and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) for a temporary hardship exemption from Medicaid work requirements for expansion beneficiaries related to high unemployment in Dawson County, Nebraska.
Individuals who have resided in Dawson County at any point since February 1, 2026, will be automatically and temporarily exempt from the Medicaid work requirements. The hardship provision, authorized under Section 71119 of H.R. 1, also known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act," allows states to request a hardship for counties if their unemployment rate exceeds 8% or is at least 1.5 times higher than the national average.
The temporary hardship will stay in place until Dawson County's unemployment rate goes below 8% or 1.5 times the national average, whichever is lower. Affected members will be notified prior to the end of the temporary hardship event.
Governor Pillen has also directed state agencies to continue coordinating workforce assistance, job placement services, benefit navigation, and community support resources for impacted residents and families.
For more information regarding Medicaid work requirements, including temporary hardships, visit the Nebraska DHHS website at https://dhhs.ne.gov/Pages/WorkRequirements.aspx.