3 days ago
Nevada health bill advances to Gov. Lombardo's desk
LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – Health bill SB 217 advanced in the Nevada legislature last week and is now on Governor Lombardo's desk awaiting his signature.
The bill includes coverage for treatments like IVF, as well as fertility preservation for those who have been diagnosed with extreme illness.
'I had arthritis for most of my life. That drug that I was on, while helpful to my arthritis, was severely damaging to my egg reserves,' shared Stephanie Capellas-Glascock, who has been struggling with her infertility journey for years.
'I knew that it wasn't going to be something that I could accomplish on my own, so therefore I needed to look into fertility treatments for myself,' she explained.
If signed, Nevada could become the first state in the nation to offer fertility coverage for Medicaid. However, the bill does face pushback for its cost and certain language in it.
'One of my concerns, just looking at it, so I may reserve my right to change my vote, is just the financial impact on our public employee benefit program that can go down to increasing premiums,' said Democratic Assembly Member Shea Backus, who did vote in favor.
Meanwhile, the Nevada GOP party called on the governor to veto the bill. Their website cited their opposition because it 'declares embryos prior to implantation as non-human.'
'I don't think fertility treatments are a political issue. I think it's a health and medical issue,' Capellas-Glascock responded when asked about the opposition. 'We know that the GOP has some thoughts and feelings on that too, but I think the tremendous thing about IVF is that it is a miracle in medicine and science that really affords individuals the option to have a family, so when they're ready to start a family, they have that option.'
When asked about the fiscal implications, she responded, 'There's always a cost associated. I think it's knowing that the pros supremely outweigh the cons.'
The state estimated the cost would be about $38 million over the next two years.
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