¶ Overview
Pete Ricketts wasn’t heckled and called a “F—ing traitor” by his constituents for no reason; they knew he supported the One Big Beautiful Bill that took away healthcare and food assistance for Nebraskans. Flying in the face of reality, Ricketts keeps claiming his Big Beautiful Bill didn’t cut Medicaid, while rural Nebraska hospitals struggle to stay open due to Medicaid cuts. Ricketts called the bill a “Once-in-a-generation opportunity” while tens of thousands of vulnerable Nebraskans lost their Medicaid and SNAP benefits. What’s more, the state was slated to lose nearly half a billion in tax revenue over the next few years due to Ricketts’s Big Beautiful Bill. Nebraskans are rightfully fed up with his antics.
¶ Ricketts Threw His Support Behind The One Big Beautiful Bill
¶ Ricketts Called The OBBB A “Once-In-A-Generation Opportunity”
Ricketts Called The OBBB A “Once-In-A-Generation Opportunity.” According to a press release from Sen. Ricketts, “Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) issued the following statement after the U.S. Senate voted to pass the One Big Beautiful Bill Act as part of the budget reconciliation process.‘The One Big Beautiful Bill is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to deliver for Nebraska,’ said Ricketts. ‘This legislation will result in increased security, strength, and prosperity for the American people. The bill restores critical pro-growth business provisions and makes them permanent, benefitting Nebraska farming, ranching, and small business. Most of all, this is a win for families in Nebraska—creating a brighter future for our country.’” [Press Release – Sen. Ricketts, 7/1/25]
¶ Ricketts Denied There Were Cuts To Medicaid In The OBBB
[VIDEO] Ricketts Denied That Medicaid Was Cut Because Spending Was “Still Going Up” And Touted Reforms To “Preserve” It. “Well, first of all, I'm going to reject your notion that was cuts to Medicaid because spending on Medicaid is still going up, and the reforms we passed were to be able to preserve Medicaid for the people who qualify for it. So the reforms were such as you can't collect it when you're dead, you can't collect it in two states. You can't be an illegal immigrant and collect it. And then we also put in work requirements to have that 20 something year old guy who's sitting on his parent's couch, doesn't have a wife, doesn't have a kids that we don't have to pay for him unless he wants to go do 20 hours worth or 20 hours with education or 20 hours worth of volunteer work.” [Nebraska State Fair Debate, 9/1/26]
Ricketts Touted The OBBB As A Boon For Nebraska
Ricketts Touted The “Working Families Tax Cuts” As A Boon For Nebraska. Senator Ricketts posted, “The Working Families Tax Cuts are a win for Nebraskans. The bill’s historic incentives unleashed American manufacturing, protected tens of thousands of jobs, and saved our state billions of dollars.” [Twitter, @SenatorRicketts, 8/12/26]
¶ Ricketts Framed His Vote For The OBBB As Preventing A “$2,443 Tax Hike On The Average Nebraska Family”
Ricketts Framed His Vote For The “Working Families Tax Cuts” As Preventing A “$2,443 Tax Hike On The Average Nebraska Family.” Pete Ricketts posted, “The Working Families Tax Cuts prevented a $2,443 tax hike on the average Nebraska family. It delivered tax relief for workers, parents, seniors, farmers, and small businesses. I voted to stop the tax hike and put more money back in the pockets of hardworking Nebraskans. Democrat Dan Osborn would have voted to raise taxes on Nebraska families and workers.” [Twitter, @PeteRicketts, 8/31/26]
¶ Ricketts Suggested The OBBB’s “Rural Health Transformation Program” Would Help Keep Rural Nebraska Communities “Thriving”
Ricketts Suggested The OBBB’s “Rural Health Transformation Program” Would Help Keep Rural Nebraska Communities “Thriving.” According to a press release from Sen. Ricketts, “Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) celebrated the award of Rural Health Transformation Program grant money for rural healthcare in Nebraska. This funding comes from a program that was created by Congress earlier this year in the Working Families Tax Cut to strengthen rural healthcare. Senator Ricketts voted in support of the bill. ‘This is how you keep rural communities thriving,’ said Ricketts. ‘The Rural Health Transformation Program was an important part of the Working Families Tax Cut that Senate Republicans passed earlier this year. This is an investment in the future of rural healthcare and in the future of Nebraska.’” [Press Release – Sen. Ricketts, 12/30/25]
¶ “F—ing Traitor”: Ricketts Drew Hecklers In His Attempts To Promote The OBBB
“F—ing Traitor”: Ricketts Drew Hecklers In His Attempts To Promote The OBBB. According to the Omaha World-Herald, “U.S. Sen. Pete Ricketts touted ways the One Big Beautiful Bill would keep money in people’s pockets, promoted expansion of the biofuel industry and celebrated deregulation efforts by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency over the course of a wide-ranging forum on federal issues Friday at the Nebraska State Fair. […] Most appeared supportive of the senator, but when Ricketts said the One Big Beautiful Bill ‘set our country on the right course for generations,’ his detractors made themselves known, laughing aloud. Over the next few minutes of Ricketts’ remarks, the group of vocal attendees grew more agitated and amped up their heckling. […] One man shouted, you’re a f—-ing traitor,’ and others asked how many people would lose health care and said the bill helped billionaires.” [Omaha World-Herald, 8/29/25]
¶ Ricketts Voted For The One Big Beautiful Bill
2025: Ricketts Voted For The Senate FY 2025 Budget Reconciliation Bill That Extended $4 Trillion In Expiring Tax Cuts, Added New Tax Breaks, Appropriated $448 Billion In Defense, Border, And Immigration Enforcement Funding, Increased The SALT Deduction To $40,000, And Cut Medicaid And Other Social Programs To Offset The Costs. In July 2025, Ricketts voted for, according to Congressional Quarterly, “the bill, as amended, that would permanently extend nearly $4 trillion in expiring individual and business tax cuts, create several new tax breaks and fund border and immigration enforcement and air traffic control upgrades. It would cut Medicaid and other safety net programs to partly offset the cost. Among other provisions, it would raise the statutory debt ceiling by $5 trillion and appropriate more than $448 billion in mandatory funding for Trump administration priorities and other needs, including $153 billion for defense, $89 billion for immigration enforcement, and $89.5 billion for border control and security. It also would increase the state and local tax deduction cap to $40,000 annually for five years for households making up to $500,000 a year until 2030, when it would permanently revert to $10,000.” The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 50 to 50 with Vice President Vance casting the tie-breaking vote. [Senate Vote 372, 7/1/25; Congressional Quarterly, 7/1/25; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1]
2025: Ricketts Voted Against Striking A Provision That Would Delay The Implementation Of The Matching Funds Requirement For The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. In July 2025, Ricketts voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, the “amendment no. 2849 to the Graham, R-S.C., amendment no. 2848 to the Thune, R-S.D. for Graham substitute amendment no. 2360 that would strike a provision relating to delayed implementation of the supplemental nutrition assistance program matching funds requirements.” The vote was on the amendment. The underlying bill was the FY 2025 reconciliation bill. The Senate rejected the amendment by a vote of 45 to 55. [Senate Vote 369, 7/1/25; Congressional Quarterly, 7/1/25; Congressional Actions, S.Amdt. 2849; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1]
2025: Ricketts Voted Against Striking $100 Million In Appropriations To Find Budget And Accounting Efficiencies In The Executive Branch. In July 2025, Ricketts voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, the “amendment no. 2585 to the Thune, R-S.D. for Graham, R-S.C., substitute amendment no. 2360, that would that would strike a section providing $100 million in appropriations for the Office of Management and Budget for purposes of finding budget and accounting efficiencies in the executive branch.” The vote was on the amendment. The underlying bill was the FY 2025 reconciliation bill. The Senate rejected the amendment by a vote of 50 to 50. [Senate Vote 368, 7/1/25; Congressional Quarterly, 7/1/25; Congressional Actions, S.Amdt. 2585; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1]
2025: Ricketts Voted Against Appropriating $63 Million To Implement Safety Recommendations Related To The Plane Crash at Ronald Reagan Airport And Against Striking The Requirement That Airport Leases Be Renegotiated Every Ten Years. In July 2025, Ricketts voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, the “amendment no. 2847 to the Thune, R-S.D., for Graham, R-S.C., substitute amendment no. 2360, that would strike the requirement that the Transportation Department and the Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority renegotiate the level of lease payments every 10 years so that the amount is not below $15 million in 2027 dollars. It also would appropriate $63 million to the DOT for fiscal 2025, to remain available through fiscal 2029, to implement safety recommendations related to the January 2025 mid-air crash at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, to establish a memorial to the victims of that crash, and to undertake projects related to airport safety and security. It also would appropriate $9.91 billion, rather than $9.995 billion, for certain Mars and moon space programs..” The vote was on the amendment. The underlying bill was the FY 2025 reconciliation bill. The Senate rejected the amendment by a vote of 50 to 50. [Senate Vote 367, 7/1/25; Congressional Quarterly, 7/1/25; Congressional Actions, S.Amdt. 2847; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1]
2025: Ricketts Voted Against Establishing A 36.9 Percent Tax Bracket For Those Earning Over $10 Million And Against Striking Provisions Terminating Clean Energy Tax Credits. In July 2025, Ricketts voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, the “amendment no. 2564 to the Thune, R-S.D. for Graham, R-S.C., substitute amendment no. 2360, that would repeal the bill's sections terminating clean energy tax credits. It also would establish a 39.6 percent tax bracket for taxable income over $10 million.” The vote was on the amendment. The underlying bill was the FY 2025 reconciliation bill. The Senate rejected the amendment by a vote of 49 to 51. [Senate Vote 366, 7/1/25; Congressional Quarterly, 7/1/25; Congressional Actions, S.Amdt. 2564; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1]
2025: Ricketts Voted Against Establishing A 36.9 Percent Tax Bracket For Those Earning Over $100 Million And Against Postponing Termination Of The Residential Clean Energy Tax Credit. In July 2025, Ricketts voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, the “amendment no. 2719 to the Thune, R-S.D. for Graham, R-S.C., substitute amendment no. 2360, that would postpone the termination of the residential clean energy tax credit by one year, through Dec. 31, 2026, and establish a 39.6 percent tax bracket for taxable income over $100 million.” The vote was on the amendment. The underlying bill was the FY 2025 reconciliation bill. The Senate rejected the amendment by a vote of 48 to 52. [Senate Vote 365, 7/1/25; Congressional Quarterly, 7/1/25; Congressional Actions, S.Amdt. 2360; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1]
2025: Ricketts Voted Against Establishing A 36.9 Percent Tax Bracket For Those Earning Over $1 Million And Against Extending Clean Energy Production Tax Credits. In July 2025, Ricketts voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, the “amendment no. 2717 to the Thune, R-S.D. for Graham, R-S.C., substitute amendment no. 2360, that would establish a 39.6 percent tax bracket for taxable income above $1 million and extend clean energy production credits through 2026.” The vote was on the amendment. The underlying bill was the FY 2025 reconciliation bill. The Senate rejected the amendment by a vote of 47 to 53. [Senate Vote 364, 7/1/25; Congressional Quarterly, 7/1/25; Congressional Actions, S.Amdt. 2717; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1]
2025: Ricketts Voted For The Substitute Amendment To The FY 2025 Reconciliation Bill That Struck A $500 Million Fund For Artificial Intelligence With Access Conditioned On A Ten Year Moratorium. In July 2025, Ricketts voted for, according to Congressional Quarterly, “amendment no. 2814 to the Thune, R-S.D. for Graham, R-S.C., substitute amendment no. 2360, that would strike language to establish a $500 million fund for artificial intelligence projects and condition access to that fund on states agreeing to a 10-year pause on AI regulations.” The vote was on the amendment. The Senate adopted the amendment by a vote of 99 to 1. [Senate Vote 363, 7/1/25; Congressional Quarterly, 7/1/25; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1]
2025: Ricketts Voted Against Requiring Medicare To Cover Dental, Vision, And Hearing Services And Against Allowing Additional Drugs To Be Eligible For Price Negotiations. In July 2025, Ricketts voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, the “amendment no. 2435 to the Thune, R-S.D. for Graham, R-S.C., substitute amendment no. 2360, that would expand Medicare by requiring the program to cover costs for vision, dental and hearing services and would allow for additional prescription drugs to be eligible for price negotiations under Medicare.” The vote was on the amendment. The underlying bill was the FY 2025 reconciliation bill. The Senate rejected the amendment by a vote of 47 to 53. [Senate Vote 362, 7/1/25; Congressional Quarterly, 7/1/25; Congressional Actions, S.Amdt. 2435; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1]
2025: Ricketts Voted Against Striking Language Prohibiting Medicaid Payments For Home Or Community-Based Services From Being Used To Pay Employees’ Benefits. In July 2025, Ricketts voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, the “amendment no. 2817 to the Thune, R-S.D. for Graham, R-S.C., substitute amendment no. 2360 that would strike language prohibiting the use of Medicaid payments for expanded home or community-based services to pay employee benefits to practitioners of such services.” The vote was on the amendment. The underlying bill was the FY 2025 reconciliation bill. The Senate rejected the amendment by a vote of 48 to 52. [Senate Vote 361, 7/1/25; Congressional Quarterly, 7/1/25; Congressional Actions, S.Amdt. 2817; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1]
2025: Ricketts Voted Against Terminating Clean Energy Credits For New Wind And Solar Facilities. In July 2025, Ricketts voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, the “amendment no. 2745 that would terminate clean energy production credits for wind and solar facilities that are placed in service after 2027 or begin construction more than 60 days after the bill's enactment.” The vote was on the amendment. The underlying bill was the FY 2025 reconciliation bill. The Senate rejected the amendment by a vote of 21 to 79. [Senate Vote 360, 7/1/25; Congressional Quarterly, 7/1/25; Congressional Actions, S.Amdt. 2745; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1]
2025: Ricketts Voted Against Striking Provisions Establishing Tax Credits For Donations To Private School Scholarships. In July 2025, Ricketts voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, the “amendment no. 2382 that would strike language establishing a system of tax credits for donations to private-school scholarship funds.” The vote was on the amendment. The underlying bill was the FY 2025 reconciliation bill. The Senate rejected the amendment by a vote of 50 to 50. [Senate Vote 358, 7/1/25; Congressional Quarterly, 7/1/25; Congressional Actions, S.Amdt. 2382; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1]
2025: Ricketts Effectively Voted Against Striking Clean Energy Cuts From The Reconciliation Bill. In July 2025, Ricketts voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, the “motion to commit the bill to the Senate Finance Committee with instructions to strike the cuts to clean energy.” The vote was on the motion to commit. The underlying bill was the FY 2025 reconciliation bill. The Senate rejected the motion by a vote of 47 to 53. [Senate Vote 357, 7/1/25; Congressional Quarterly, 7/1/25; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1]
2025: Ricketts Effectively Voted Against Excluding Individuals Making More Than $25 Million And Joint Tax Filers Earning Over $50 Million From The Tax Cut Extension In the Reconciliation Bill And Against Increasing Rural Hospital Funding. In July 2025, Ricketts voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, the “motion to waive applicable provisions of the Congressional Budget Act for the Collins amendment no. 2812 to the Thune, R-S.D., for Graham, R-S.C., substitute amendment no. 2360 to the bill. The amendment would exclude from tax cuts individuals making more than $25 million in taxable incomes or couples with a joint taxable income of over $50 million. It would also increase funding for rural hospitals from $10 million to $22.5 million for fiscal years 2028 and 2029.” The vote was on the motion to waive. The underlying bill was the FY 2025 reconciliation bill. The Senate rejected the motion by a vote of 22 to 78. [Senate Vote 355, 7/1/25; Congressional Quarterly, 7/1/25; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1]
2025: Ricketts Effectively Voted Against Protecting Veterans’ Federal Employment In The Reconciliation Bill. In June 2025, Ricketts voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, the “motion to commit the bill to the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee with instructions regarding veterans' federal employment.” The vote was on the motion to commit. The Senate rejected the motion by a vote of 47 to 53. [Senate Vote 346, 6/30/25; Congressional Quarterly, 6/30/25; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1]
2025: Ricketts Effectively Voted To Prohibit States From Receiving Medicaid And Children’s Health Insurance Program Funding Unless They Require Recipients To Prove Their Citizenship. In June 2025, Ricketts voted for, according to Congressional Quarterly, the “motion to waive the Congressional Budget Act for the purpose of amendment no. 2401 to the Thune, R-S.D., for Graham, R-S.C., substitute amendment no. 2360 to the fiscal 2025 budget reconciliation bill (HR 1). The amendment would prohibit states from using federal funds under Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Plan to cover individuals who do not prove their citizenship or ‘satisfactory’ immigration status within a 90-day period.” The vote was on the motion to waive. The Senate rejected the motion by a vote of 53 to 47. [Senate Vote 345, 6/30/25; Congressional Quarterly, 6/30/25; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1]
2025: Ricketts Effectively Voted Against Striking Language That Would Prohibit Abortion Providers From Receiving Federal Funds Under Medicare For Services Other Than Abortions From The Reconciliation Bill. In June 2025, Ricketts voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, the “motion to commit the bill to the Senate Finance Committee with instructions on Medicaid and labor and delivery units and to report back to the Senate.” The vote was on the motion to waive. The Senate rejected the motion by a vote of 49 to 51. [Senate Vote 344, 6/30/25; Congressional Quarterly, 6/30/25; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1]
2025: Ricketts Effectively Voted Against Striking Cuts To The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. In June 2025, Ricketts voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, the “motion to waive section 302(f) of the Congressional Budget Act with respect to the Scott, R-S.C., point of order that amendment no. 2414 would cause the legislation to exceed the Banking Committee allocation of budget authority and outlays. The amendment would strike language to decrease funding for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to 6 percent of the total operating expenses of the Federal Reserve System for each fiscal year.” The vote was on the motion to waive. The Senate rejected the motion by a vote of 47 to 53. [Senate Vote 341, 6/30/25; Congressional Quarterly, 6/30/25; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1]
2025: Ricketts Effectively Voted Against Striking Medicaid Cuts To Labor And Delivery Units In The Reconciliation Bill. In June 2025, Ricketts voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, the “motion to commit the bill to the Senate Finance Committee with instructions on Medicaid and labor and delivery units and to report back to the Senate.” The vote was on the motion to commit. The Senate rejected the motion by a vote of 48 to 52. [Senate Vote 340, 6/30/25; Congressional Quarterly, 6/30/25; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1]
2025: Ricketts Voted Against Striking Medicaid Cuts In The Reconciliation Bill That Could Lead To Nursing Home Closures. In June 2025, Ricketts voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, the “motion to commit the fiscal 2025 budget reconciliation bill (HR 1) to the Senate Finance Committee with instructions on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and report back to the Senate.” The vote was on the motion to commit. The Senate rejected the motion by a vote of 48 to 52. [Senate Vote 338, 6/30/25; Congressional Quarterly, 6/30/25; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1]
2025: Ricketts Voted To Amend The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program Provisions In The Reconciliation Bill. In June 2025, Ricketts voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, the “motion to commit the fiscal 2025 budget reconciliation bill (HR 1) to the Senate Finance Committee with instructions on the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program and report back to the Senate.” The vote was on the motion to commit. The Senate rejected the motion by a vote of 49 to 51. [Senate Vote 337, 6/30/25; Congressional Quarterly, 6/30/25; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1]
2025: Ricketts Effectively Voted Against Striking Excessive Paperwork Requirements For Medicaid From The Reconciliation Bill. In June 2025, Ricketts voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, the “motion to commit the bill to the Senate Finance Committee with instructions to strike excessive paperwork requirements for Medicaid work requirements from the bill and report it back to the Senate.” The vote was on the motion to commit. The Senate rejected the motion by a vote of 48 to 52. [Senate Vote 336, 6/30/25; Congressional Quarterly, 6/30/25; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1]
2025: Ricketts Effectively Voted Against Striking Medicaid Cuts From The Reconciliation Bill. In June 2025, Ricketts voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, the “motion to commit the bill to the Senate Finance Committee with instructions to strike all Medicaid cuts from the bill and report it back to the Senate.” The vote was on the motion to commit. The Senate rejected the motion by a vote of 47 to 53. [Senate Vote 335, 6/30/25; Congressional Quarterly, 6/30/25; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1]
2025: Ricketts Effectively Voted To Maintain An Unfunded Mandate Regarding The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program In The Reconciliation Bill. In June 2025, Ricketts voted for, according to Congressional Quarterly, the “motion to waive the Klobuchar, D-Minn., point of order that the Graham, R-S.C., substitute amendment no. 2360 to the fiscal 2025 budget reconciliation bill (HR 1) contains an unfunded mandate regarding the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program funding and thus violates section 425(a)(2) of the Congressional Budget Act.” The vote was on the motion to waive. The Senate agreed to the motion by a vote of 51 to 48. [Senate Vote 334, 6/30/25; Congressional Quarterly, 6/30/25; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1]
2025: Ricketts Effectively Voted Against Prohibiting Provisions In The Reconciliation Bill From Increasing The Likelihood Of Rural Hospitals To Close. In June 2025, Ricketts voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, “motion to commit the bill to the Senate Finance Committee with instructions to report the bill back to the Senate in three days with changes that would would strike any provision that would result in increased likelihood of rural hospitals being forced to close, convert, or reduce or stop providing services.” The vote was on the motion to commit. The Senate rejected the motion by a vote of 49 to 51. [Senate Vote 333, 6/30/25; Congressional Quarterly, 6/30/25; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1]
2025: Ricketts Voted Against Committing The Reconciliation Bill To The Finance Committee With Instructions To Reduce Health Care Costs For American Families. In June 2025, Ricketts voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, “motion to commit the bill to the Senate Finance Committee with instructions to report the bill back to the Senate in three days with changes that would ‘reduce the cost of health care for American families and small businesses while ensuring the wealthy and big corporations pay their fair share.’” The Senate rejected the motion by a vote of 47 to 53. [Senate Vote 332, 6/30/25; Congressional Quarterly, 6/30/25; Congressional Actions, H.R. 1]
¶ The One Big Beautiful Bill Snatched Away Nebraskans’ Healthcare And Food Benefits
¶ Medicaid Cuts In The One Big Beautiful Bill Endangered Healthcare Coverage For 55,000 Nebraskans
Medicaid Cuts In The One Big Beautiful Bill Endangered Healthcare Coverage For 55,000 Nebraskans. According to the Nebraska Appleseed, “Almost 1 in 4 Nebraskans rely on either Medicaid or the Affordable Care Act’s Marketplace coverage, the programs targeted by OBBB, to receive health care. The OBBB’s Medicaid cuts are the largest in the program’s history. The OBBB’s Medicaid cuts could cause up to 55,000 Nebraskans to lose coverage and the state to lose up to $4 billion in federal Medicaid funding over the next 10 years.” [Nebraska Appleseed, 8/18/25]
¶ Nebraska Was Slated To Lose $4 Billion In Medicaid Funding Thanks To The OBBB
Nebraska Was Slated To Lose $4 Billion In Medicaid Funding Thanks To The OBBB. According to the Nebraska Appleseed, “Almost 1 in 4 Nebraskans rely on either Medicaid or the Affordable Care Act’s Marketplace coverage, the programs targeted by OBBB, to receive health care. The OBBB’s Medicaid cuts are the largest in the program’s history. The OBBB’s Medicaid cuts could cause up to 55,000 Nebraskans to lose coverage and the state to lose up to $4 billion in federal Medicaid funding over the next 10 years.” [Nebraska Appleseed, 8/18/25]
¶ Nebraska Was The First State To Implement New OBBB Medicaid Work Requirements
Nebraska Was The First State To Implement New OBBB Medicaid Work Requirements, Causing A Loss Of Coverage For Vulnerable Nebraskans. According to Nebraska Public Media, “Cheri Stollar and her five daughters have only ever received medical coverage through Medicaid. Despite going to college and working, sometimes multiple jobs, since she was 16 years-old, she said she's never been able to make enough money to pull her family out of poverty. […] In her work as a mental healthcare provider, Stollar said 85% of her patients are on Medicaid. She said she’s lost two clients already due to new eligibility requirements. The requirements aren’t just hitting home for her own family, it’s also causing hardship for low-income families. ‘I feel like it's like kicking people when they're down,’ Stollar said. ‘People are already struggling. I don't understand. I just don't understand the reasoning.’ Nebraska is the first state in the nation to implement these requirements.” [Nebraska Public Media, 7/31/26]
¶ Nearly 33,000 Nebraskans Lost SNAP Benefits Between August 2025 And July 2026
Nearly 33,000 Nebraskans Lost SNAP Benefits Between August 2025 And July 2026. [Nebraska DHHS, Viewed 9/4/26]
¶ The OBBB Was Slated To Cost Nebraska More Than $406 Million In Tax Revenue Over Four Years
The OBBB Was Slated To Cost Nebraska More Than $406 Million In Tax Revenue Over Four Years. According to the Nebraska Examiner, “A report from Nebraska’s Department of Revenue projects that the federal budget reconciliation bill will cost state government more than $216 million over the next two years. […] DOR’s analysis spanned the next four fiscal years ending in 2029. It surmised that the expected losses in corporate and individual income tax revenue will cost Nebraska more than $406 million over those four years. Within the two years that make up the existing biennial budget, the losses would equal roughly $216 million.” [Nebraska Examiner, 9/2/25]
¶ The OBBB Drove Rural Nebraska Hospitals To A Breaking Point
The OBBB Immediately Caused One Nebraska Hospital To Close And Put Several Others At Risk. According to Nebraska Public Media, “The uncertainty over federal Medicaid funding appears to have claimed its first victim in Nebraska. Community Hospital in McCook announced Wednesday that it will close Curtis Medical Center in Curtis, winding down its services over the next several months. ‘Unfortunately, the current financial environment, driven by anticipated federal budget cuts to Medicaid, has made it impossible for us to continue operating all of our services, many of which have faced significant financial challenges for years,’ Troy Bruntz, President and CEO of Community Hospital, said in a news release. The budget reconciliation bill that the House of Representatives voted to approve on Thursday contains several provisions that experts say will slash Medicaid, which rural hospitals are more dependent on than their urban counterparts. Earlier this week, during a Zoom meeting put on by the multi-state organization United Today Stronger Tomorrow, officials estimated that up to six Nebraska hospitals could be forced to close if the bill passes.” [Nebraska Public Media, 7/3/25]
¶ Nebraska Hospitals Were Slated To See A $3.6 Billion Funding Cut Due To The OBBB
Nebraska Hospitals Were Slated To See An “Unprecedented” $3.6 Billion Funding Cut Due To The OBBB. According to Nebraska Public Media, “In a statement Thursday, the Nebraska Hospital Association said 44% of the state's rural hospitals are already losing money, and passage of the bill could lead to a $3.6 billion cut in funding to Nebraska hospitals over the next decade. ‘Nebraska hospitals have been clear throughout this debate. This package will undermine health care in our state, hurt patients, and drive-up insurance premiums,’ said Jeremy Nordquist, president of the Nebraska Hospital Association. ‘These changes will impose unprecedented cuts that threaten access to care, essential services, and the economic stability of hospitals across our region.’” [Nebraska Public Media, 7/3/25]
¶ The OBBB Rural Health Transformation Fund Was Insufficient To Support Nebraska Hospitals Through Medicaid Cuts
The OBBB Rural Health Transformation Fund Was Insufficient To Support Nebraska Hospitals Through Medicaid Cuts. According to the Center For Children and Families at Georgetown University, “One emerging theme is that the Rural Health Transformation Fund – a $50 billion fund distributed to states that was created under H.R. 1 to offset the impact of Medicaid cuts in rural America – isn’t doing much to soften the blow of the nearly $1 trillion of cuts to Medicaid in the bill. […] For example, in Nebraska and other states, rural hospitals are facing across-the-board cuts – and the rural health fund Congress created to offset the impact of Medicaid cuts on rural health care is falling short: ‘Hundreds of rural hospitals across the country are facing closures after years of funding problems. The issue was compounded last summer by the Trump administration’s massive cuts to Medicaid, the government’s safety net for low-income Americans, whose reimbursements have long helped hospitals meet their bottom lines’ ‘Outcry over the funding cuts prompted Republican lawmakers to create $50 billion in new rural health grants, but critics say that funding is intended for innovative health care delivery solutions — not propping up hospitals buckling under current pressures.’” [Center For Children and Families – Georgetown University, 5/1/26]