08 Dec Nevada Public Option Shows Promise for Curbing Skyrocketing Healthcare Premiums that Bankrupt Nevada Families
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 8, 2021
Contact: Will Pregman, wpregman@battlebornprogress.org, 702.752.0656
Nevada Public Option Shows Promise for Curbing Skyrocketing Healthcare Premiums that Bankrupt Nevada Families
NEVADA – This afternoon, the Nevada Department of Health and Human Services held its first public meeting on the implementation of a public health insurance option, dubbed the Nevada Public Option. The Nevada Public Option was introduced during the 2021 Legislative Session in a bill sponsored by Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro, SB420. The bill set forth provisions for the establishment of an actuarial study and the steps necessary to implement the Nevada Public Option by the year 2026.
“Nevada needs to implement a public option to effectively and comprehensively improve access to healthcare and finally bring down the cost of care in this state,” said Annette Magnus, Executive Director of Battle Born Progress. “We thank Governor Sisolak and the Legislature for selecting Manatt, a national leader in healthcare policy and development, to head this actuarial analysis and waiver process. We also thank Senator Cannizzaro for moving SB420 forward last session, which has allowed this process to happen in the first place.”
“Just last month, Nevada regulators approved a 4.2% increase in premiums, on top of a 4.2% increase approved in 2020, and rate increases every year before that. Nevada families simply cannot keep up. And the reprieve given to Nevada families from increased federal premium support are only temporary. Thousands of working families across the state will be unable to afford care once those supports expire. And thousands of other families do not qualify for premium support in the first place, forcing them to pay full cost of their healthcare out of pocket. That is why the Nevada Public Option, and the work that Manatt is doing, is so critical. For the first time in our state’s history, we finally have a pathway to bring down the cost of healthcare and ensure that Nevada families – regardless of their income – can stop worrying about the cost of care and focus on accessing care. We look forward to these continued community meetings and helping uplift the voices of Nevada families and communities that have been overlooked by our current healthcare system.”
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About Battle Born Progress: Battle Born Progress, through strategic communication efforts, empowers, engages and mobilizes Nevada voters to build a state where everyone has a fair opportunity to succeed. We support, engage, and mobilize the progressive community through bold leadership, strategic communications, accountability, and education. We are on the cutting edge of new media and are the go-to source for progressive issues and advocacy for traditional media. Learn more at https://battlebornprogress.org/.