Washington, D.C. - October 26, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- Congressman Ruben J. Kihuen signed on as an original co-sponsor of the State Public Option Act introduced in Congress by Representative Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI). Rep. Kihuen is joined by Nevada colleagues Rep. Jacky Rosen (NV-03) and Assemblyman Michael Sprinkle in offering support for the State Public Option Act which would give states the option to allow all residents to buy into the state Medicaid program through their state’s exchange.
“Nevada’s health care system ranks among the worst in the country in terms of cost and access, leaving countless Nevadans hanging out to dry when it comes to getting reliable and affordable health care coverage. That is why today, I am pleased to join my colleagues in Congress, Representative Ben Ray Luján (D-NM) and Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) in introducing the State Public Option Act, which would establish a Medicaid public option to provide an affordable, high-quality health insurance option to hardworking families across the country. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to continue working to find ways to improve Nevada’s health care system and ensure that all Nevadans have access to quality and affordable health care coverage,” Rep. Kihuen said.
“Giving individuals a public health insurance buy-in option is one of the best ways we can improve our health care system for all Nevadans, no matter your zip code,” said Rosen. “The ability to access quality health care should be a fundamental right, not a privilege for the wealthiest among us. Increasing choice and competition through a Medicaid buy-in program would ensure that all families have access to health care they know they can rely on. I have been vocal about the need for a public option to improve the progress we’ve made under the Affordable Care Act, and I will work with anyone in Congress to keep putting forward smart ideas that move us towards that goal and make health care more accessible and more affordable for every Nevadan,” Rep. Rosen said.
Assemblyman Michael C. Sprinkle said, “Health care is a right, not just a product or a privilege for the wealthy. Earlier this year, I set out to secure quality and affordable health care access for every Nevadan by introducing a plan to create a first of its kind state-level Medicaid buy-in program. While I am disappointed that ‘Sprinklecare’ did not become law this past session, our effort in Nevada was a reminder that states are incubators for innovative and forward-thinking policy ideas that can improve people's lives. I am incredibly proud to see Nevada's Democrats in Congress help lift this plan to create a Medicaid buy-in program to the national level, and I hope to see this effort succeed.”
The State Public Option Act would give states the option to allow (but would not require) all state residents that are not concurrently enrolled in another insurance plan to buy into the state Medicaid program through their state’s Exchange. States could charge premiums, copays, and deductibles for the plans based on current Affordable Care Act (ACA) standards. Individuals would be able to use their ACA tax credits to help cover the costs. If they do not have tax credits, the cost could not exceed 9.5% of the family income. The plans offered must be robust and cover the ACA’s 10 Essential Health Benefits.
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