Reproductive Health Collaborative Nebraska bridges the advancement of reproductive health equity with high-quality sexual and reproductive health care through robust support, education, and advocacy. Rooted in principles of access, equity, and quality, they do this work by shepherding a collaborative statewide network of healthcare agencies and providers, from the Omaha area to the Scottsbluff area and everywhere in between, with support through funding, technical assistance, training, and essential community education efforts so that all Nebraskans have access to quality sexual and reproductive healthcare and unbiased information impacting their health. The collaborative network model is essential for shared learning and replication of successful ideas.
Across the country, alarming policy trends are challenging basic access to contraception. In Nebraska, access is tied to affordability. The state’s premature implementation of Medicaid changes has created a situation where Nebraskans are paying the price as guinea pigs with devastating effects. Add those recent changes to Medicaid to the deliberate weakening of rural health providers that much of the state relies on, and many Nebraskans may be left with nowhere to go and priced out of accessing essential care.
“More than 108,000 women in Nebraska live in a contraceptive desert, meaning they already don’t have access to the complete range of contraceptive options,” explains Sarah Wengert, Director of Communications and Resource Development with RHCN. “With cuts to federal family planning funding, Medicaid, and other supportive programs, all happening right alongside an affordability crisis, many Nebraskans are at risk of losing access to contraception."
Rallying around access is more critical than ever. Reproductive Health Collaborative Nebraska invites you to their inaugural contraceptive access fundraiser on September 2nd in Omaha. Rally: Protect Contraceptive Access helps fund the future of access for Nebraskans across the state and will honor their 2026 Reproductive Health Champion. Join them to learn about the statewide network of sexual and reproductive healthcare providers and how RHCN supports quality, free and low-cost services for all Nebraskans in need.
Advocacy efforts at the organization have expanded significantly with the addition of a Policy Fellow, which has been core to creating conditions where policies are more supportive of sexual and reproductive healthcare. Nebraska Table is proud to support organizations like Reproductive Health Collaborative Nebraska through our Lobby School and Policy Fellow programs, which place and train changemakers with Member organizations to help advance policy goals. During the 2026 legislative session, Policy Fellow Cleo Zagurski succeeded in helping advance bills that eliminated the sunset provision for the Prenatal Plus Program and protected Medicaid access, as well as to stop harmful legislation restricting providers scope of practice. Critically, Cleo has worked diligently to set the stage for future work by deepening relationships with representatives and strengthening partnerships in coalition to effectively mobilize communities. The organization plays an essential role in distilling information about sexual and reproductive health legislation and has enhanced their policy communications to more effectively reach community members. Their weekly Repro Recap videos during legislative session keep Nebraskans informed and ready to take action.
The organization has also broadened its education and outreach efforts statewide to more effectively reach both providers and community members. By taking on more of those efforts, RHCN is helping agencies and providers focus on providing essential services, especially in the face of funding cuts. A pilot program for a network of regional educators statewide goes the extra mile to provide community-informed support and expand access to lifesaving information.
“Healthcare is so fundamental to everyone’s lives,” Sarah shares. “Sometimes sexual and reproductive health gets left out of the healthcare loop. We believe everyone should have access to that quality care. It shouldn’t matter how much money you have or who you are. Our work aims to make that a reality for everyone.”