USofCare on Assembly Passage of Nevada Public Option to Make Health Care More Accessible and Affordable
United States of Care’s Liz Hagan, Director of Policy Solutions, issued the following statement today in response to the Nevada Assembly’s passage of SB 420, a bill to create a public health insurance option in Nevada:
“Today is a day of great progress and promise for Nevadans, as the Assembly has now joined the state Senate in passing a public insurance option (SB 420). This critical legislation will significantly reduce both the cost of health coverage and the number of Nevada residents forced to go without health insurance because they can’t afford it.
“The Silver State ranks 49th overall in state health system performance and it’s one of the least-insured states despite having expanded Medicaid. The pandemic has shone a light on many of the longstanding shortcomings in Nevada’s health care system and has made all too clear that people need dependable coverage that is with them through life’s changes, like losing a job or starting their own business.
“The number of people without insurance is especially high among Hispanic/Latino Nevadans, over 20% of whom are uninsured. The approved legislation goes a long way towards increasing access to coverage options that people can depend on and afford — all while helping to reduce disparities. We look forward to the governor signing this legislation into law, which will make the Silver State the second in the nation to enact a public option and will be a national model for expanding access to equitable, quality, affordable health care.”
