Healthcare availability under threat
In the heart of the American West, Nevada's healthcare system faces an impending challenge with the proposed H.R. 1 bill, also known as the "One Big Beautiful Bill." The bill, currently before the U.S. Senate, could potentially jeopardize health care access for thousands of Nevadans, particularly in the areas of Medicaid and hospital funding.
**Impact on Medicaid:**
The bill proposes changes to Medicaid eligibility, introducing new work requirements effective December 31, 2026. If enacted, states must verify that able-bodied adults work at least 80 hours per month to remain eligible for Medicaid. In Nevada, where over 900,000 residents rely on Medicaid, these new requirements could lead to the loss of coverage for about 100,000 Nevadans, according to estimates.
Moreover, the bill could cause Nevada to lose approximately $590 million in federal Medicaid funding, a substantial reduction in financial support for the state's Medicaid program. The White House claims the bill protects and strengthens Medicaid, but opponents argue that it risks coverage loss for vulnerable groups such as pregnant women, children, seniors, the disabled, and low-income families.
**Impact on Hospital Funding:**
The Senate's version of H.R. 1 includes provisions that could eliminate or drastically reduce the Provider Fee Program, a critical funding source for Nevada hospitals. This program generates $800 million annually to support care for Medicaid and uninsured patients. Without it, hospitals would be reimbursed below the cost for care provided to nearly 80% of their inpatients.
If the Senate's version of H.R. 1 passes, the provider fee program alone could lose up to $500 million annually. Such cuts would severely affect hospital services, potentially resulting in closures of hospitals and nursing homes, exacerbating health care access problems in the state.
Loss of federal Medicaid funding coupled with cuts in hospital funding could force Nevada's state government to fill funding gaps, possibly requiring special legislative sessions to address the crisis.
**The Stakes:**
The potential consequences of H.R. 1's provisions could exacerbate existing healthcare access issues in Nevada, particularly for vulnerable populations. Without Medicaid coverage, people who lose it may still get sick and need care, often turning to emergency rooms where hospitals receive little or no reimbursement for their care.
Moreover, the Provider Fee Program funds behavioural health programs, which could also be affected by the proposed cuts. Emergency room visits by uninsured patients could increase if H.R. 1 reduces Medicaid coverage, potentially overwhelming Nevada hospitals.
The writer, the president and CEO of the Nevada Hospital Association, emphasizes the importance of Nevadans being able to access the care they need. The cuts proposed in H.R. 1 could strain Nevada hospitals, which may have to absorb the costs of providing care to uninsured patients.
In conclusion, H.R. 1's proposed changes to Medicaid eligibility and the potential cuts to the Provider Fee Program threaten to diminish health care access and strain Nevada's health care infrastructure. It's crucial for Nevadans to be aware of these potential impacts and to speak out in support of protecting the health of their communities.
- The proposed changes to Medicaid eligibility in H.R. 1 could potentially jeopardize access to health-and-wellness services for thousands of Nevadans, especially considering that the bill could cause Nevada to lose approximately $590 million in federal Medicaid funding.
- The elimination or significant reduction of the Provider Fee Program, as proposed in the Senate's version of H.R. 1, could have far-reaching implications for various therapies-and-treatments, as this program funds behavioral health programs in Nevada.
