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Nebraska DHHS to publish ACCESS Nebraska performance reports

LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) — Nebraska's beleaguered Department of Health and Human Services will publish public performance reports for its services to help residents apply for Medicaid and food stamps.

Gov. Pete Ricketts' office and new DHHS CEO Courtney Phillips announced Friday that metrics such as payment accuracy, wait times and application processing for ACCESS Nebraska will be updated monthly on the department's website.

ACCESS Nebraska processes applications and renewals for Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or food stamps, and Medicaid, but has been criticized for delays and errors. A lawsuit in August alleged that more than 30 percent of applications for SNAP benefits were not processed in the regulated 30-day time frame.

Ricketts says the reports show some progress and are an effort to be transparent about changes he and Phillips have committed to making.