The AARP Nebraska State Office commissioned a survey to explore the views of its 18+ residents on expanding the Medicaid program in the state. 

Key findings include:

• More than half (53%) of 18+ Nebraska residents support expanding Medicaid to cover adults with no dependent children and who earn up to $15,000 a year.
  • 53% strongly or somewhat support the expansion of Medicaid in the state so that adults with no dependent children and earning up to about $15,000 a year can have health care coverage.  
  • Support remains constant as nearly the same proportion (55%) say they would support Medicaid expansion knowing that adults with no young children and earning $15,000 a year currently do not qualify for Medicaid benefits.
• Many (62%) 18+ Nebraska residents support Medicaid expansion if the cost can be covered by eliminating unnecessary government programs.
  • 62% strongly or somewhat support expanding Medicaid in Nebraska if the cost of the expansion can be covered by the elimination of unnecessary government programs.  
• Many (65%) 18+ Nebraska residents believe that Medicaid is an important government program, and over two in five (45%) believe they or someone they know will need it in the future.
  • 65% say Medicaid is extremely or very important compared to other government programs.  23% say Medicaid is somewhat important, and only 8% say that it is not very or not at all important.
  •  45% say either they or someone they know is extremely or very likely to need Medicaid coverage at some point in the future, and another 22% say this need is somewhat likely.

These results are based on a telephone survey fielded March 1 to March 7, 2013 of 600 18+ Nebraska residents. The interviews were weighted to reflect the age and gender of the 18+ population in Nebraska. For more information, contact Aisha Bonner at 202-434-3531.