Affordable Care Act
Healthcare reform advocate to speak at Democratic tele-luncheon
Submitted by Carson Now Reader on Fri, 03/05/2021 - 4:15amFeatured speaker at Monday's Democratic tele-luncheon will be Margarida Jorge, Executive Director of Health Care for America Now, or HCAN, a 501(c)(4) advocacy group that speaks on behalf of more than 1,000 organizations nationwide. In 2008 Margarida helped create and lead HCAN's campaign to overhaul the US health care system and extend insurance coverage to most of the country's previously uninsured population, and was chief architect of the organization's 47-state field program.
Today, Jan. 15, is the Last Day for Nevadans to enroll for 2021 health insurance
Submitted by Kelsey Penrose on Fri, 01/15/2021 - 10:05amNevada Health Link, the online health insurance marketplace operated by the state agency, the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange (Exchange), reminds Nevadans that Open Enrollment for a comprehensive, Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliant health plan for 2021 ends at 11:59 p.m. today, Jan. 15, 2021.
Consumers who enroll by the deadline will have coverage effective February 1, 2021.
Nevada Health Link open enrollment ends Friday, COVID covered in all health plans
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Mon, 01/11/2021 - 11:59amWith only four days remaining in Open Enrollment for 2021 health coverage, Nevada Health Link, the online health insurance marketplace operated by the state agency, the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange (Exchange), reminds Nevadans that all plans include access to COVID-19 related diagnosis and treatment, including COVID-19 vaccines when they become available.
Enrollment for 2021 Nevada health insurance plans now open through Jan. 15, 2021
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Mon, 11/02/2020 - 1:07pmCARSON CITY — On Sunday, Nov. 1, the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange, the state agency that connects Nevadans to budget-appropriate Qualified Health Plans through the online marketplace known as Nevada Health Link, kicked off its eighth Open Enrollment Period and its second year operating as a State Based Exchange.
Silver State Health Insurance Exchange Announces Extended Open Enrollment Period for Plan Year 2021
Submitted by Kelsey Penrose on Sat, 07/25/2020 - 9:01amThe Silver State Health Insurance Exchange (Exchange), the state agency that connects Nevadans to Qualified Health Plans through the online State Based Exchange (SBE), known as Nevada Health Link, announces the Open Enrollment Period (OEP) for Plan Year 2021 will run from November 1 through January 15, 2021 – extending the traditional OEP by an additional 30 days and giving consumers a total of 75 days to enroll in a comprehensive health care plan.
Nevada Health Link reminds those who lose jobs of special enrollment to retain health insurance
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Mon, 06/01/2020 - 5:36pmNevadans who have recently lost their job or had a change in income that threatens being able to pay for coverage may be eligible to receive subsidy assistance for their health plans, the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange noted Monday as a reminder to those who may become uninsured.
Nevada Health Link special health plan enrollment period ends May 15
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Mon, 05/11/2020 - 5:06pmNevadans have only a few days remaining to enroll in a Qualified Health Plan through Nevada Health Link, the online health insurance marketplace operated by the state agency, the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange.
Silver State Health Insurance Exchange announces special enrollment period on Nevada Health Link
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Fri, 03/20/2020 - 3:07amIn response to Gov. Sisolak’s March 12 Emergency Declaration, the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange, the state agency that connects Nevadans to qualified health plans through the online State Based Exchange, known as Nevada Health Link, announces a limited-time Exceptional Circumstance Special Enrollment Period for qualified Nevadans who missed the Open Enrollment Period.
Carson City area events for Monday, March 2
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Sun, 03/01/2020 - 7:02pmThe first Monday of March should bring clearing skies and sunshine after a weekend of wild weather. Activities include a discussion and documentary viewing regarding the high cost of pharmaceutical drugs, plus Read Across America storytime for young children at the Carson City Library, fitness events, West Coast swing dance lessons at Carson Lanes and more.
High cost of pharmaceutical drugs the topic at Carson City Democratic luncheon
Submitted by Carson Now Reader on Wed, 02/26/2020 - 6:16amMary Liveratti, former president of AARP Nevada, will lead a discussion about the runaway cost of prescription drugs at Monday's Democratic luncheon. She will present the stunning documentary Big Pharma: Market Failure, which covers the pharmaceutical industry's role in the ever-spiraling cost of medicine.
From a ban on surprise hospital ER billing to 'red flag’ gun law, new bills take effect in Nevada
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Wed, 01/01/2020 - 12:19pmToday, Wednesday, Jan. 1, 2020 is the beginning of a new year, a new decade and also a new set of laws. More than 70 laws enacted by the Nevada Legislature last year take effect either in whole or in part today.
They include several major health care initiatives — including a ban on surprise emergency room bills, a tax on vaping products and a requirement that hospitals use patients’ preferred names and pronouns — as well as laws that will benefit employees, including paid sick leave.
More autonomy in Nevada health insurance exchange as open enrollment nears
Submitted by admin on Tue, 10/08/2019 - 2:00amOpen enrollment for health plans through the Affordable Care Act will have a slightly different feel this year in Nevada. Namely, a break from the federal exchange ...
Nevadans encouraged to explore healthcare plans following report highlighting uninsured
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Sun, 09/08/2019 - 1:36pmCARSON CITY — In light of a recent report released by the Guinn Center for Policy Priorities surrounding Nevada's uninsured populations, the State of Nevada and the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange, Nevada’s state agency that helps connect individuals to budget-appropriate health coverage through the online marketplace, Nevada Health Link, remind Nevadans of the importance of having health insurance and encourages them to explore insurance coverage available to them through Nevada Health Link.
Nevada AG: State has plenty of reasons to defend the ACA
Submitted by admin on Tue, 07/16/2019 - 2:00amAccording to data from the Economic Policy Institute, 371,000 Nevadans would lose health care coverage, a 95% jump in the uninsured rate, if the Affordable Care Act is …
DOJ lawyers try new tricks to undo Obamacare. Will it work?
Submitted by admin on Mon, 07/15/2019 - 2:00amOnce again, the fate of the Affordable Care Act is before the courts. The health law has traveled all the way to the Supreme Court (twice!) and is highly likely to make another visit. On that path, the law made a stop Tuesday before ...
Carson City Chamber of Commerce offers health insurance to small businesses
Submitted by editor on Wed, 05/01/2019 - 5:29pmHealth care remains a costly and growing concern for small businesses that do not have the buying power of larger companies. There are many sole proprietors, or mom and pop businesses who, until now, have had no opportunity to buy into group policies to save up to 27 percent based on age of the policy holder.
Outgoing Nevada Governor Sandoval releases 2019-2021 biennium budget recommendations
Submitted by editor on Sun, 12/23/2018 - 7:45amCARSON CITY — Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval issued the following statement Friday regarding the 2019-2021 budget building process and priorities:
Nevada officials warn consumers of telemarketers using false claims for ACA health insurance
Submitted by Jeff Munson on Wed, 11/21/2018 - 3:03pmCARSON CITY — Open Enrollment is now underway, and consumers need to be wary. Consumers shopping for qualified health plans should beware of telemarketers and websites advertising discount medical plans and short-term plans while falsely claiming they are compliant with the Affordable Care Act.
Proposed rate changes released for Nevada individual health insurance market
Submitted by editor on Tue, 07/17/2018 - 12:14pmCARSON CITY — The Nevada Division of Insurance has received and made public the proposed health insurance rate changes from carriers on and off the Exchange for Plan Year 2019.
Controller's Annual Report: Health and Social Services (Opinion)
Submitted by Carson Now Reader on Thu, 06/21/2018 - 11:07amHealth and Social Services (HSS) has been the fastest-growing category of state expenditures since Fiscal Year 2010 (FY10). Nevada spent $5.5 billion on these services in FY17, up from $2.2 billion in FY06.
Much of this spending is financed through federal grants for Medicaid, food stamps and other welfare programs. As Nevada spends money on these programs, it gets some reimbursement from the federal government. However, the reimbursements do not compensate Nevada fully for all expenditures, and certain programs such as Medicaid require a matching state commitment.
Where Does the State of Nevada Spend its Money?
Submitted by Carson Now Reader on Wed, 03/28/2018 - 9:12amhis is the second column based on the Controller’s Annual Report for fiscal year 2017 (FY17). Here we disclose where the state spends its money.
Total state spending for FY17 was $12.29 billion: $11.033 billion (90 percent) from regular state accounts, including pass-through federal funds; $1.211 billion (ten percent) from tuition, fees, contracts, grants and other service charges by higher education; and $46 million in two other areas. The total was 74 percent higher than in FY06, or 17 percent more in real per-person terms.
The Controller's Annual Report
Submitted by Carson Now Reader on Wed, 03/21/2018 - 3:12pmWe have just issued the Controller’s Annual Report (CAR) for fiscal year 2017 (FY17). Here we provide an overview of it. Future columns will discuss individual sections.
The CAR provides Nevada citizens, officials and others a summary of key facts, data, analysis and issues about the state’s fiscal condition and challenges. The Controller has a statutory charge to recommend plans for: support of public credit; promoting frugality and economy; better management of the state’s fiscal affairs; and better understanding of them.
Nevada health insurance exchange moves forward with plans for state-based platform
Submitted by editor on Thu, 02/15/2018 - 1:14pmNevada’s health insurance exchange is soldiering ahead with a plan to transition away from the federal enrollment website in favor of a state-run platform even as the White House continued to emphasize its opposition to the Affordable Care Act in a budget it released this week.
Nevada Division of Insurance offers tips for purchasing a health benefit policy
Submitted by editor on Wed, 12/06/2017 - 1:00pmCARSON CITY — The Open Enrollment period was cut in half this year, but there is still enough time for consumers to purchase and enroll in a health benefit plan, which meets all the Affordable Care Act requirements, to avoid having a gap in coverage next year.
The Real Results of ObamaCare and Medicaid Expansion
Submitted by Carson Now Reader on Wed, 11/29/2017 - 9:57amIn 2013, Nevada expanded Medicaid eligibility, a move promoted by the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA or ObamaCare) to improve health care to people allegedly then under-served by our health care systems.
In return, the federal government fully funded Nevada’s increased costs through 2016. However, the federal reimbursements slowly decline beginning this year. With the over-spending problems faced by the federal government, there is serious question whether reimbursements will continue after 2020, and if so at what level.
Trump’s Regulatory Reforms Help the Economy, But Not Enough
Submitted by Carson Now Reader on Thu, 10/05/2017 - 8:27amTwo recent news stories caught our attention, and they suggest some good news, but ...
First, the estimated growth rate of U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) – that is, the annual rate of growth for America’s economy – was revised upward to 3.1 percent for the second quarter of 2017.
Second, the Trump Administration has eliminated 16 regulations for every regulation it has implemented.
Sandoval signs letter asking Senate leadership not to consider Heller-sponsored health-care proposal
Submitted by editor on Tue, 09/19/2017 - 1:24pmGov. Brian Sandoval has sharply split with fellow Republican Sen. Dean Heller Wednesday over a last-ditch proposal to repeal the Affordable Care Act, joining a bipartisan group of nine other governors in asking Senate leadership not to consider the Graham-Cassidy-Heller-Johnson proposal.
Republicans senators, including Heller to release details of effort to replace Affordable Care Act
Submitted by editor on Tue, 09/12/2017 - 1:40pmA last-ditch effort to substantially overhaul the Affordable Care Act backed by Nevada Sen. Dean Heller is finally coming to the light with just weeks before a procedural deadline.
Heller casts crucial vote allowing Senate to begin debate on Obamacare repeal
Submitted by editor on Tue, 07/25/2017 - 11:29amNevada Sen. Dean Heller and several of his Republican colleagues set aside their lingering concerns with legislation to repeal the Affordable Care Act and voted Tuesday afternoon to allow debate on the bill to proceed.
The History of Health Care
Submitted by Carson Now Reader on Tue, 07/04/2017 - 4:04pmDid you know that not too long ago people did not require medical insurance? Less than fifty years ago people paid cash or used credit for medical care which was true for most of the history of our nation. Indeed, medical care was once so accessible and affordable that most people did not need insurance to pay their medical bills. Then, medical Doctors and Insurance companies began to lobby government to 'regulate' (i.e. monopolize) health care to 'improve' it.