Gov. Jim Pillen signs executive order restricting taxpayer dollars to abortion providers
LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) — Gov. Jim Pillen on Thursday signed an executive order placing restrictions on Planned Parenthood from receiving taxpayer dollars.
The order directs the Department of Health and Human Services to review providers that receive Medicaid funds.
Pillen said they must determine if those providers have been excluded, disenrolled, or sanctioned by Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program of any state.
Those determined to be in violation will be sanctioned or disenrolled.
“Nebraskans have made clear they support a culture of love and life in our state – one that provides protections for the unborn,” Pillen said in a press release. “Throughout my administration, I have advocated for laws that support those values. I’m proud that we can take this bold step in halting funding to abortion providers that receive Medicaid funding.”
While federal and Nebraska laws have prohibited taxpayer funds from being explicitly used for abortion, abortion providers have been able to receive taxpayer funds for other services like family planning.
According to Pillen, those services make up a small percentage of what providers offer, whereas the primary service consists of performing abortions.
“This has been an issue that’s been in the background for a long time for a lot of people,” Attorney General Mike Hilgers said. “In fact, the desire of Nebraska taxpayers not to have their funds be used for abortions has been in state statutes for some time.”
Hilgers said that two things happened recently, clearing the way for Pillen’s executive order.
The first was the passage of President Donald Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill, prohibiting the use of federal tax dollars to pay certain entities that provide abortions.
The second was a U.S. Supreme Court ruling in favor of South Carolina’s actions in terminating abortion providers and their affiliates from that state’s Medicaid program.
South Carolina’s actions triggered Nebraska regulations that allow DHHS to terminate the enrollment of providers and their affiliates who have been terminated or excluded from another state’s program.
“Nebraskans care about the lives of the unborn. And through laws passed by their state and federal representatives, Nebraskans have made clear that they want their hard-earned taxpayer dollars going to good healthcare, not subsidizing abortions,” added AG Hilgers. “I am thankful for the opportunity to work with the Governor to ensure taxpayer dollars go to those who help Nebraskans and not those who do harm.”
According to Pillen, Medicaid payments to abortion providers for non-abortion services in Nebraska totaled $172,164.11 in 2024 and $341,972.18 in 2025.
Although Pillen’s executive order may result in some clinics being disenrolled from Medicaid, Pillen said there are other clinics and resources across the state.
“I want to stress Nebraska has ample resources for women who need health care services,” Pillen said. “There are 12 clinics across Omaha and four in the city of Lincoln.”
Medicaid-approved providers can be found on the DHHS website.
There is one Planned Parenthood in Lincoln and one in Omaha.
In a statement sent to Channel 8, Planned Parenthood North Central States said it’s the only abortion provider in Nebraska that provides a wide range of services to patients eligible for Medicaid.
“Planned Parenthood North Central States (PPNCS) is the only abortion provider in the state who has historically provided a wide range of services to patients eligible for Medicaid. On July 4, 2025, President Trump signed a budget reconciliation package designed to kick Planned Parenthood out of Medicaid nationally. The “defund” provision was immediately challenged, and while it was initially blocked by the courts, on September 11, 2025 a federal appeals court lifted the injunction that had been protecting Medicaid patients’ access to necessary health care. Since then, Planned Parenthood North Central States has not billed Medicaid for any services provided in Nebraska.
At a time when fewer medical students are applying to go to school in Nebraska and the state faces a primary care shortage, PPNCS has been adapting and investing in its health centers to create long-term solutions that will bridge access to care. In May 2025, the Omaha health center completed renovations to its 9,000 square foot facility that added new exam rooms to triple the number of patients they serve—the health center now boasts 12 exam rooms. Photos of the center are available for the media here.
Through its Nebraska health centers in Omaha and Lincoln, PPNCS provides a wide range of reproductive and sexual health services including cervical and breast cancer screenings, contraception care, sexually transmitted infection (STI) testing and treatment, HIV testing, PrEP and PEP, immunizations, pregnancy testing, menopausal care, emergency contraception, health care for trans people including hormone management, and abortion information and options. PPNCS also piloted the provision of select primary care in Lincoln earlier this year and will expand these services to Omaha by year’s end.
At the press conference, Pillen held up a map and referred to the supposed availability of numerous alternative locations for reproductive health care. As the state faces health care shortages and funds anti-abortion centers, the vague map left more questions than answers.
Anti-abortion centers, also known as crisis pregnancy centers, prey on vulnerable Nebraskans, rather than improving access to affordable, comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care and safety net programs. They claim to provide a full array of medical options but are known for withholding critical health information, deceiving pregnant people about their health and options, and intentionally scaring or shaming people seeking an abortion. Because anti-abortion centers aren’t medical providers, they are not beholden to patient privacy laws, including HIPAA, or subject to oversight by the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services.”
President and CEO Ruth Richardson also wrote in the release:
“This executive order is nothing but a publicity stunt by state leaders meant to confuse Nebraskans about their health care options. Nebraskans need birth control. They need cancer screenings. They need wellness exams. And, yes, they need abortion care. Planned Parenthood is proud to providethis essential quality health care to everyone who turns to us, no matter their insurance status. Planned Parenthood is an irreplaceable medical provider. Instead of focusing on improving access to vital sexual and reproductive health carefor Nebraskans, the governor is misdirecting his constituents towards unlicensed facilities that do not adhere to medical safety standards and do not provide evidence-based, comprehensive care.”
The complete executive order can be found here: Executive Order 25-16
