Heartland Workers Center is raising concerns as Nebraska becomes the first state to implement early Medicaid work requirements beginning May 1.
By Hola Nebraska
Nebraska Medicaid work requirements begin May 1, affecting about 30,000 adults who must document 80 hours of monthly activity.
Nebraska will become the first state in the nation to implement early Medicaid work requirements for some adults beginning May 1, eight months before the 2027 federal deadline.
Heartland Workers Center, a nonprofit based in South Omaha, is raising concern that the new rules could create additional barriers for low-income workers, including immigrants, refugees and underrepresented communities already facing wage gaps and limited access to specialized jobs.
The organization highlighted the issue ahead of International Workers’ Day, observed May 1, as a moment to recognize the labor and contributions of working people.
Nebraska will require 80 hours of monthly activity
Under the new rules, about 30,000 Nebraskans will need to document 80 hours of qualifying activity each month. That activity may include work, job training or volunteering.
Those who do not meet the requirement could risk losing Medicaid coverage.
Heartland Workers Center said the mandate could affect workers who are already trying to stay employed, support their families and navigate a restrictive labor market.
“This International Workers’ Day, we must recognize that Nebraska’s prosperity is built on the labor of people who represent many cultures,” said Dr. Lina Traslaviña Stover, executive director at Heartland Workers Center. “Across every industry, immigrants and refugees play critical roles in supporting our state’s infrastructure and businesses. Every worker, regardless of background or status, deserves the right to essential healthcare without facing hurdles that ignore the realities of the current economy.”
Heartland Workers Center points to wage gaps in Nebraska
Heartland Workers Center said the immigrant community is the fastest-growing segment of Nebraska’s labor force, while many workers continue to face economic disparities.
According to recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data cited by the organization, Nebraska’s unemployment rate remains low at about 2.8%. But Heartland Workers Center said wages remain a challenge for many households.
In Douglas County, the average weekly wage is $1,390, below the national average of $1,589, according to the organization. Heartland Workers Center also cited a regional wage gap in which first-generation immigrants earn about 10.6% less than native-born workers.
The group said that gap is often tied to immigrant workers being locked out of specialized roles that match their skills.
Advocates say healthcare access is tied to workforce stability
Heartland Workers Center said healthcare coverage is a workplace issue because losing access to care can make it harder for people to remain healthy enough to work.
“Our neighbors are often working multiple jobs just to stay afloat in the current economy,” Stover said. “By making Nebraska a testing ground for these mandates, we risk dismantling the health of our most essential contributors. We advocate for a labor market that rewards hard work with livable wages and secure healthcare access for every household.”
The organization said the new requirement could place pressure on workers who already balance unstable schedules, caregiving responsibilities, transportation barriers or limited access to paperwork support.
Heartland Workers Center calls for community advocacy
Heartland Workers Center said it will continue to educate and organize around workplace equity and healthcare protections.
The organization invited Nebraskans to join its advocacy efforts focused on workers’ rights, civic engagement and community-driven solutions.
Heartland Workers Center is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization headquartered in South Omaha. It works with immigrant and underrepresented communities across Nebraska and maintains a presence in Columbus, Fremont, Nebraska City, Schuyler and West Point.
The organization says its work focuses on developing leaders, promoting workers’ rights and building civic power in communities that are often underrepresented.
For more information, visit Heartland Workers Center at www.heartlandworkerscenter.org.
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