Nebraska Advocate Sues DHHS Over Half-Century Records Request Estimate

Nebraska disability advocate Curt Safranek is suing the state Department of Health and Human Services, arguing that its estimates and timelines for fulfilling his public-records request effectively deny access. He sought emails and attachments about Alvarez & Marsal, a consultant selected to review the state’s interRAI assessment system, which is used to help determine Medicaid funding for developmental disability services; Safranek says the system reduced his autistic son’s funding. DHHS initially estimated the request would cost nearly $1 million and take until 2076. After Safranek narrowed the date range, the agency lowered its estimate to about $474,000 but still projected delivery in 2051. He is asking a court to require a legally accurate estimate and make the records available as soon as practicable; DHHS has not provided a response in the reports.