I am a retired NV state employee on SCP ESSENTIALS under Renown’s Hometown Health plan.  I live in Carson City NV and my family has been going to Carson Medical Group and the doctors who founded it for the last 80 years. NV State employee and retiree insurance coverage has allowed us to use Carson City resources for at least the last 55 years.

Last week I received notification from SCP that I will have to go to Reno for medical care under Renown’s new partnership with Kaiser Permanente which will “provide better care” for Northern Nevada.  Phone calls verified that NO doctors I currently have relationships with nor Carson Tahoe Hospital will be available to me.  

I currently have access to all medical care that I need within 8 miles and 15 minutes.  Now, SCP is forcing me to go to Reno for all care including labs and pharmacy.  

Both CTH and CMG have grown over the last 60 years to meet the needs of our community.  Carson City has grown from 10,000 to 60,000+ residents in the last 55 years.  Renown’s website says they serve over 210,000 patients.  

Why is this change happening?  Is it the opening salvo to eliminate competition from the State Capitol medical community?   

This couldn’t be happening at a worse economic time to force elderly folks to drive farther for care.  The distance will influence the readiness of critical care in any emergency.  A lot of older folks rely on public transportation to get to appointments and that will no longer be available.  

I realize that I have no choice but comply with this decision that has absolutely nothing to do with “patient care” for those of us who are satisfied with the care in our local community.

– Sandra Hawkins, Carson City 

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Kelsey is a fourth-generation Nevadan, investigative journalist and college professor working in the Sierras. She is an advocate of high desert agriculture, rescue dogs, and analog education.