Nevada Watch
Featured news in this section focuses on Nevada, the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange (Nevada Health Link), the Nevada Division of Insurance (in the Department of Business and Industry), and actions by the state legislature affecting insurance brokers and clients.
As the Trump administration’s efforts to address high prescription drug costs and put the Affordable Care Act on the chopping block have languished, Nevada’s Democratic-controlled Legislature is taking health care into its own hands this session. Lawmakers heard six bills on Wednesday that would have significant implications for the way health care is provided in the state.
New Challenges to Health Care Law Bring Strong Rebuke from Nevada’s State, Federal Elected Officials
The Department of Justice says it will not defend the Affordable Care Act in court. President Donald Trump is again leaning on congressional Republicans to come up with a suitable replacement to the law. In Nevada, where Obamacare is more popular than not, Democratic state and federal politicians are crying foul.
Most hospitals in Nevada would have to accept Medicare if a bill working its way through the state Legislature passes.
A bill that would have required insurance companies to pay for out-of-network care for Nevadans living more than 25 miles from an in-network provider was gutted Wednesday after the sponsor described it as unworkable as written.
Assemblywoman Lesley Cohen, D-Henderson, has been named to chair the Health and Human Services Committee.
Two bills introduced in a Senate health committee meeting Wednesday in the Legislature would protect health care benefits in Nevada.
Pharmacy benefit managers — businesses that act as middlemen between drug manufacturers and pharmacies — wouldn’t be able to bar pharmacists from telling consumers about lower-cost drugs if a new bill passes.
State Sen. Pat Spearman, D-North Las Vegas, introduced a bill Wednesday that would require all insurers in Nevada to cover hearing aids for children and give vouchers to low-income parents to purchase diapers.
Nevada legislators heard introductions for three bills in the Assembly and Senate health committees Monday, including one that would appropriate $15 million to general public health needs.
Assemblyman Michael Sprinkle, D-Sparks, plans to introduce a bill this legislative session that would create a Medicaid buy-in option for all Nevadans, after a similar proposal passed in the state Assembly and Senate but fell at the hands of former Gov. Brian Sandoval in 2017.