1.6 million
As more states begin the year-long process to review Medicaid eligibility after the end of the COVID-19 public health emergency, the Kaiser Family Foundation reports that nationally, 1.6 million people have been disenrolled as of July 5. That represents 39% of Medicaid enrollments reviewed in the 28 states reporting data. In Nebraska, data last updated on May 31 shows that 18% of Medicaid recipients, nearly 10,000 people, lost coverage after their eligibility was reviewed.
The so-called “unwind” of Medicaid eligibility began in Nebraska in March, with renewals for 394,000 recipients to be reviewed over the next year. Where data is available, 71% of disenrollments nationwide are due to procedural reasons, such as failing to complete the required paperwork or having outdated contact information on file. Medicaid recipients in Nebraska should make sure information on file with the Department of Health and Human Services is current and watch for letters or emails requesting information.
Latest Medicaid Unwind data from Nebraska DHHS
Nationwide updates from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
14%
The average value for an acre of ag land in Nebraska was $3,835 as of Feb. 1, a 14% increase over last year. The report from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln notes that favorable crop prices, a push by some farmers to expand their operations and interest from outside investors are factors in rising prices. The average land value is the highest in the survey’s history.
Read the Nebraska Farm Real Estate Market Highlights report
Read coverage from the Nebraska Examiner
$1 billion
Minnesota stood out among states that improved their tax systems this year by investing in people through refundable tax credits and raising revenue from those most able to pay. Dubbed the “Minnesota Miracle,” lawmakers there raised more than $1 billion in new revenue to fund key investments, including a $2.6 billion capital construction package, a $300 million infusion of money to nursing homes and free breakfast and lunch for all K-12 students.
Minnesota made its tax system more progressive by adding a 1% tax on high-earners’ investment income and closing a loophole allowing multinational corporations to reap huge tax cuts by shifting their U.S. profits out of the state. At the same time, Minnesota enacted the state’s first Child Tax Credit, increased its renter’s credit and became the 12th state to enact paid family leave.
Read commentary from the Washington Post
More on state tax changes from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy
$50,000
As home prices have spiked in Nebraska, it’s become more difficult for prospective buyers to come up with a traditional 20% down payment. In the first quarter of 2023, a 20% down payment on an average home in Nebraska was nearly $50,000, up from $36,000 in 2019. According to the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City, the reduced affordability of single-family homes has increased pressure on the rental market. Rents in Omaha in the first quarter were nearly 8% higher than a year ago.
Read more from the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City
82%
Four in five Americans – 82%, to be exact – expressed support for raising taxes on the wealthy and large corporations to reduce the federal deficit over proposals to cut Social Security and Medicare, according to a survey from Navigator Research. That support extends to Republicans (74%), independents (72%) and households earning more than $100,000 a year (77%).