Affordable Care Act Anniversary: Fourteen Years Later and Over a Decade of Medicaid Expansion in Nevada

NEVADA—The upcoming anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), on March 23rd, demonstrates the importance of affordable healthcare options amidst continued attacks to roll back the policy over the past fourteen years. The ACA expanded access to health insurance by providing tax credits for purchasing private insurance, eliminating pre-existing conditions, and setting limits on out-of-pocket costs. Notably, the ACA led to the option of expanding Medicaid for states that opted in. In 2014, Nevada expanded Medicaid coverage.

Shelbie Swartz, Executive Director of the Institute for a Progressive Nevada, issued the following statement:

“Although not perfect, the ACA has been an incredible success in Nevada, particularly after the state expanded Medicaid in 2014. Before the ACA, 23% of Nevadans were uninsured. Statewide, 30% of Nevadans are considered low-income, and the adoption of the Medicaid expansion allowed 368,000 Nevadans to qualify for healthcare. This has benefited the elderly, children, people of color, and working adults who, before this, could not afford to purchase their own health insurance. Additionally, 43% of births in the state are now covered by Medicaid. These benefits, from the ACA and Medicaid expansion, have improved the quality of health and access to healthcare for Nevadans over the past decade.

"Despite the impressive outcomes and popularity of Medicaid expansion under the ACA, Nevadans face the reality of over 300,000 people losing their healthcare under the current budget proposal in Congress. The numbers of those currently covered would be detrimental to all, cutting across the racial and ethnic divide. For example, over half (4 in 7) of nursing home residents are currently covered by Medicaid; having that benefit cut or the ACA repealed would increase the burden on working families and those currently working in that industry.

"Here in Nevada, Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro has taken the lead in upholding Medicaid expansion by holding public hearings that spotlight the need to preserve coverage for vulnerable Nevadans. In 2021, Senator Cannizzaro sponsored SB 420, making Nevada just the second state to approve a public option aimed at expanding affordable coverage. The federal government recently approved the insurance plans that will be offered under this new framework, marking a significant step forward in ensuring comprehensive healthcare access across the state.

"As we celebrate the anniversary of the Affordable Care Act and the adoption of the Medicaid expansion, the Institute for a Progressive Nevada calls on our elected officials of all political persuasions to please protect the most vulnerable among us by protecting both the ACA and Medicaid."

ABOUT THE ACA MEDICAID EXPANSION IN NEVADA: According to KFF, an independent source for health policy research, polling, and news, over 800,000 Nevadans are currently enrolled in Medicaid. The majority of adults on Medicaid in Nevada are working, and 71% of non-elderly Medicaid enrollees are people of color. The federal government pays 90% of the cost of the Medicaid expansion."

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About Institute for a Progressive Nevada: Institute for a Progressive Nevada, through strategic communication efforts, educates, empowers, and engages Nevada voters to build a state where everyone has a fair opportunity to succeed.