Nebraska Grants Dawson County A Temporary Exemption From Medicaid Work Requirements Due To High Unemployment Rate

The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) granted residents of Dawson County a temporary exemption from the state's Medicaid work requirements after the county's unemployment rate rose to 14.6% following the January 2026 closure of a Tyson Foods plant that employed approximately 3,000 people. By comparison, Nebraska's statewide unemployment rate was 2.9% in June 2026, according to the Nebraska Department of Labor.

The exemption applies to Medicaid beneficiaries and applicants who have lived in Dawson County at any time since February 1, 2026. DHHS said the temporary hardship exemption will remain in . . .