Nebraska will see a cut in federal Medicaid funding in the upcoming state budget, forcing lawmakers to make up the difference with state dollars.
Documents obtained by The Associated Press show that the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services has requested an additional $44 million from lawmakers to replace the loss over the next two-year budget.
North Platte Sen. Tom Hansen, a member of the Appropriations Committee, says the cuts are the most extreme he's ever seen. Hansen says the amount is large enough now that it's unclear where lawmakers will find the money.
Omaha Senator Jeremy Nordquist says the cuts are based on a formula that helps states when they're struggling, and pulls back when their economies are strong.
