Congress should follow Nevada’s lead, prioritize health care coverage and affordability expansions
WASHINGTON — In response to Nevada’s governor signing legislation authorizing a public health insurance option, Health Care for America Now Deputy Executive Director Joel Foster released the following statement:
“Nevada’s public option is an important step toward ensuring Nevadans no longer have to choose between health care and their economic security. Nevada currently has one of the highest uninsured rates in the country. A public option for health coverage will help make sure that more Nevadans can access affordable, quality health care. This achievement will also help address the urgent health care needs created by the COVID-19 pandemic. Ultimately, a robust public health insurance option will help rein in health care costs for working families and make access to care more equitable.
“We commend Nevada’s health care advocates and leadership for making Nevada the second state in the U.S. to provide a public health insurance option. While Congress continues to stall on closing our country’s significant health insurance coverage gap, states like Nevada are leading the way toward a future where everyone can access quality, affordable health care no matter what they look like, what kind of job they have or how much income they make.
“President Biden said in his first speech to Congress that health care should be a right, not a privilege, in America. Nevada lawmakers are moving in that direction with the passage of the public option. Now, Congress and the Biden administration should do the same by passing policies that will reduce costs, expand access and guarantee coverage for the millions of Americans that still can’t get the health care they need.”
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