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Nebraska Appleseed has fights for justice and opportunity for all Nebraskans. They work on systemic approach to complex issues – such as child welfare, immigration policy, affordable health care and poverty – and tackle these issues through litigation, advocacy, and community programs.

With this proposal, Nebraska Appleseed is seeking funding to build on foundational grant work in 2022 to expand access to oral health care in Medicaid through legislative and administrative advocacy, litigation, and community education about new and existing benefits. In 2022, with CareQuest Institute funding, Nebraska Appleseed hired a skilled community organizer who works with low-income individual, BIPOC communities, and Medicaid beneficiaries to build power and health advocacy skills around oral health issues in Nebraska. These individuals, as well as NE Appleseeds Health Care Advocacy Leaders cohort, will continue to be a driving force in the scope of work in 2023.

There are several target policy issues Nebraska Appleseed will address with its constituents in 2023:

Removing Nebraska Medicaid's annual dental benefit limit (currently $750/year)

Supporting individuals as the state shifts is Medicaid MCO structure and a shift in Managed Care

Supporting the Department of Human Service in maintaining access to coverage, including dental coverage, during the Public Health Emergency unwinding

Assessing accessibility of Nebraska's new Medicaid application process

Implementation support for new Medicaid benefits for pregnant and post-partum people served by Nebraska Medicaid,

Exploring access barriers to oral health care for individuals re-entering society from the justice system

Beyond the community members they will engage, Nebraska Appleseed will create a network of support for these issues through the management of their statewide Health Policy Coalition.

This proposal represents 3% of Nebraska Appleseed's overall budget. Approximately $100,000 of the budget is allocated toward staff time for a Community Organizer, Health Care Access Program Director, Health Care Access Staff Attorney, and Health Care Intake Coordinator. The remainder of the budget is allocated toward local travel and stipends for community events, marketing, and printing expenses.