Nebraska disability advocates escalated their fight over the state’s interRAI HCBS assessment by calling for new leadership at the Department of Health and Human Services.
The Omaha World-Herald reported Oct. 13 that the Disability Alliance of Nebraska declared a “severe loss of confidence” in DHHS leadership and urged replacement of Chief Executive Officer Steve Corsi and Division of Disability and Aging Director Tony Green. Parents and advocates described months of appeals after interRAI scores lowered budgets for round-the-clock care, even when families said needs had not changed. Mike Browne of the Alliance said accountability “has to begin at the top.”
DHHS launched interRAI for DD waivers on July 1, 2025, replacing the older ICAP tool. In August the department first hired Alvarez & Marsal for a $420,000 review, then—after advocates objected—said it would run a public RFP instead. Nebraska Public Media quoted Browne saying more than 800 families saw significant funding drops and that the rollout should pause while the model is examined. DHHS has said more than 80% of participants’ funding levels stayed the same or increased and that the tool expands access while matching budgets to assessed need.
Why this matters for providers and DSPs
interRAI tiers set the dollars available for day programs, residential supports, and DSP hours. Providers serving people mid-appeal should document service interruptions, track authorization end dates, and watch whether DHHS pauses reductions while the independent review proceeds. Leadership demands raise the political stakes but do not by themselves change a member’s current budget tier.