Senator Ricketts’ Weekly Column: Wins for Nebraskans

When I was Governor, we focused on providing great services to Nebraskans.  The federal government should do the same.  Now that I’m in the Senate, my team and I are here to help Nebraskans navigate the bureaucracy.  

 We have offices in Scottsbluff, Kearney, Lincoln, Omaha, and Washington, D.C.  We also host Mobile Office Hours across the state.  We have already visited all 93 counties this year and we visited them all twice last year.  Our team is specially trained in assisting constituents with concerns and complaints.  We can also answer questions about services, eligibility, or benefits from federal agencies like the Veterans Affairs, Medicare, or the Internal Revenue Service.  I’m proud of our work to cut red tape and deliver wins for Nebraskans. 

 In 2024, we helped nearly 800 Nebraskans access federal services. We also helped constituents save or recover nearly $5 million from the federal government.  We continue that work this year and have already returned $1.3 million in constituent savings for Nebraskans. 

Richard out in the Panhandle is one example.  He’s a disabled veteran.  His disability requires him to get significant help for everyday tasks, like going through his mail.  Late last year, the VA notified Richard that he owed nearly $20,000.  This was because his dependent status had not been updated since 2015.  Richard was shocked by this, as he had never been informed an update was needed.  That’s because his VA notices had been inadvertently thrown away without his awareness.  

 Richard contacted my office in Lincoln after trying for months to submit the needed paperwork. This disabled veteran had no way of repaying this debt that he accidentally incurred.  My team got involved and helped establish a claim.  The VA updated his dependent status which wiped away Richard’s debt, saving him nearly $20,000. 

A couple from Dodge County contacted my office asking for help.  They always file their taxes on paper.  In 2023, the IRS made a big mistake and said they owed over $34,000.  Not only did these Nebraskans not owe money, but they were due a refund of over $25,000.  The IRS then refused to pay their 2022 refund because of the mix-up.  

This couple tried to fix it themselves.  They sent letters asking for help and got no response.  They even met with the IRS in Omaha.  When they came to my office for help, our casework team got to work immediately.  We found the IRS’s mistakes and showed them they were wrong.  

Soon after that, the Nebraskans finally got a refund check for over $22,000.  That included almost $1,500 in interest—which still wasn’t the right amount.  After more hard work, we helped them get another check.  In the end, the Dodge County couple received the money they were owed.  It took more than a year, but we never gave up.  

Other times, oversight means ensuring Nebraska companies are not overlooked on federal directories.  A healthcare provider in Eastern Nebraska reached out to my office.  They are an in-network provider for TRICARE.  TRICARE is the health care program that serves our military members, veterans, and their families.  However, TRICARE’s website failed to list this provider as an acceptable option.   

That simple omission caused serious confusion.  Patients didn’t know they could get care from this provider.  As a result, this provider faced an estimated $150,000 in lost revenue. 

My team reached out to TriWest, a contractor who manages TRICARE’s network in our region.  We pushed them to fix the website and ensure this provider was listed correctly.  Thanks to our efforts, the problem was resolved.  The VA website was updated.   

Now, military families and veterans who are TRICARE beneficiaries can see this proud Nebraska company listed as a trusted, in-network provider. That’s not just a win for this provider.  It’s a win for every Nebraskan who depends on clear information and quality care. 

These are just three of many examples of how my team and I work every day to help Nebraskans navigate the federal bureaucracy.  We’re continuing the fight to protect taxpayer dollars and ensure federal agencies serve the people.  From streamlining government to cutting taxes on Social Security, tips, and military retirement benefits, I’ll keep working to make government work better.  We’re going to continue delivering excellent customer service for our constituents.  Nebraskans deserve nothing less.