A new KFF Health News article from Phil Galewitz spotlights Nebraska as an early test case for the impact of the newly enacted “One Big Beautiful Bill Act,” following federal approval of the state’s Medicaid work requirement program.

In Nebraska, the policy could affect roughly 72,000 Medicaid expansion enrollees. While state officials say they will rely on existing data to automatically verify many individuals’ eligibility, thousands of patients will still need to actively prove they meet work or exemption requirements to maintain coverage.

For providers on the ground, the concern is that even small administrative hurdles can lead to coverage loss. At clinics like Bluestem Health in Lincoln, leaders are already anticipating that many patients may struggle to navigate the new requirements—putting them at risk of losing access to care. This reflects a broader national trend as new federal policies begin to take hold.

Amanda Pears Kelly, CEO of Advocates for Community Health, noted that health centers are also facing rising costs, particularly for prescription drugs, while struggling to recruit and retain staff in both rural and urban communities.

“The challenge is health centers are being hit from every direction,” said Pears Kelly.

Her comment underscores what’s unfolding in Nebraska and beyond: a convergence of policy changes that increase administrative complexity, threaten coverage, and place greater strain on community health centers that serve as a lifeline for vulnerable populations.

Read the article from KFF published in the Nebraska Examiner