Center for Health Policy
The UNMC Center for Health Policy in the College of Public Health is committed to staying on the forefront of the dynamic health care environment.
As the only center focused on health policy in the region, our center aims to be a resource for health systems, government, public health, and health service organizations all while providing world-class education.
The center focuses on health policy, health administration, health services research, and health administration education/development. Additionally, the center engages in health policy issues related to health care finance, federal/state health insurance reforms, health education, workforce development, quality improvement, patient outcome regulations, and innovation in health delivery in both rural and urban settings.
Presentations by David Palm, PhD
Hear our latest analysis with two presentations by David Palm, PhD, director of the Center for Health Policy—"The Impact of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on Individuals and Families, the Health System, and Communities" (September 2025) and "The OBBBA and Its Impact on ACA Marketplace Enrollees and the Health System in the U.S. and Nebraska" (December 2025).
Key Findings
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Enrollment Is Strong—and Growing: From 2022 to 2025, ACA Marketplace enrollment in Nebraska grew by almost 60% due to mostly to enhanced tax subsidies.
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Policy Changes Could Reverse Progress: The One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA) introduces new administrative enrollment barriers, and it does not extend the enhanced Advanced Premium Tax Credits (APTCs).
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Thousands in Nebraska Could Lose Coverage: Without enhanced APTC renewal, 15,000 to 18,000 Nebraskans may lose health insurance coverage. Premiums for individuals and families could more than double.
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Rural and Underserved Communities Face the Greatest Risk: Premium increases will disproportionately affect rural residents and low-income nonwhite populations—groups less likely to have large employer-sponsored insurance.
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Certain Jobs Depend Heavily on ACA Coverage: Occupations like real estate agents (28%) and farmers, ranchers, and agricultural managers (27%) are especially reliant on ACA plans, making them vulnerable to policy shifts.
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Health Providers Will Shoulder the Burden: Rising uninsured rates will drive up uncompensated care costs for hospitals, clinics, and community health centers—reducing access to essential services.
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Billions in Lost Health Spending and Revenue: Nationally, spending for non-elderly adults could drop by $31 billion. Hospitals may lose $14 billion and physicians $5 billion. Nebraska alone could lose $113 million—including $45 million in hospital revenue, and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) will lose over $27 million. Rural hospitals are projected to lose $28 million.
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Economic Fallout for Nebraska: Without extended APTCs, Nebraska’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) could shrink by $139 million, with an $8 million decline in state and local tax revenues—impacting public services and local economies.
Accepting Submissions
The Health Administration Research and Best Practices Symposium is designed to generate and exchange relevant, valuable, and applied research initiatives and operational best practices around health administration services, hospital operations, and management from Nebraska academic institutions.
Services
The UNMC Center for Public Health offers a variety of services to policymakers, universities, stakeholders, and the general public.
Resources
Our multitude of resources allows us to craft projects and programs that focus on the policy research and health administration needs of our various stakeholders and clients.
