Congresswoman Lee and Providers Sound the Alarm on Looming Healthcare Cuts in Nevada

This week, Republicans in Congress are voting to pass the largest cuts to healthcare coverage in U.S. history

LAS VEGAS – Today, at Spanish Hills Wellness Suites, a local short and long-term care facility/nursing home, Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03) joined healthcare providers to sound the alarm on how federal healthcare and Medicaid cuts will harm their services and take away healthcare from Nevadans. The Republican legislation, which passed the U.S. Senate today and will now be voted on in the U.S. House, includes the largest cuts to Medicaid and healthcare coverage in U.S. history. About 70% of Spanish Hills residents are on Medicaid. 92% of Medicaid adults under 65 who can work, are already working.
If the Republican budget is passed:
- More than 114,000 Nevadans and 17 million Americans will lose healthcare coverage, and hospitals and nursing homes will shut down.
- Cuts to Medicaid would affect the financial viability of the state’s health care system, including directly impacting reimbursements for providers and incurring significant costs for providers who are left supporting a larger uninsured population.
- Nevada’s already dire doctor and healthcare provider shortage would worsen.
- Nevada would also lose about $590 million in federal Medicaid funding.
- $3.3 trillion will be added to the national debt.
- Food would be taken away from hungry kids, seniors, and families.
- Nevadan’s energy prices would increase by 12%.
- Construction jobs across the country would be cut.
- Gives the wealthiest Americans massive tax breaks.
Medicaid is not a controversial program—three quarters of Americans support it, including 63% of Republicans, 87% of Democrats, and 81% of Independents. Most Americans have at least some connection to Medicaid, whether it be health insurance, pregnancy-related care, home health care, nursing home care, or coverage for a child.
“Republicans in the Senate just passed their budget bill with the largest cuts to healthcare coverage in U.S. history. 17 million Americans, including more than 114,000 Nevadans, will lose healthcare coverage and hospitals and nursing homes will have to turn away patients or close down,” said Congresswoman Susie Lee. “I’m heading back to Washington tonight to vote against this bill in the House because it will decimate healthcare in Nevada, add $3.3 trillion to the national debt, take food away from hungry kids and seniors, jack up energy prices, and cut construction jobs — all while the wealthiest Americans get massive tax breaks. It’s up to Republicans in Congress to stop these healthcare cuts – they have control of the House, Senate, and White House.”
“Medicaid is a foundational part of our health care system, with about 60 percent of Nevada nursing home residents relying on Medicaid to access the care that they need. Medicaid enables the seniors and individuals with disabilities to live with dignity, and ensures that our providers can deliver the consistent, quality care that they certainly deserve.” said President/CEO of Nevada Health Care Association Brett Salmon. “Any proposed cuts at the federal level will then shift to the state level and will have a negative impact on the consequences for long term care in Nevada. Reductions in Medicaid would impact our ability to operate and care for our residents. It would strain our ability to retain staff, invest in care improvements, and meet the growing demand for services that we provide our residents. As the need for long-term care continues to increase, this is not the time to scale back those services.”
Congresswoman Lee was joined by President/CEO of Nevada Health Care Association Brett Salmon; Spanish Hills staff Nursing Home Administrator Gavin Brown and Director of Nursing Jyesebelle “JB” Ocampo; Fundamental Clinical and Operational Services LLC Regional Vice President of Operations Kam McGavock; American Health Care Association Senior Director of Government Relations Christopher Donnellan; and Nevada Hospital Association CEO Patrick Kelly.
Earlier this week, Congresswoman Lee hosted a roundtable discussion on the impacts of Medicaid cuts and was joined by Lumina Las Vegas by Solera Senior Living Community Relations Liaison Stacey Dubowitch; Foundation Assisting Seniors and Veterans Vice President Vicki Bertin; Nevada Rural Hospital Partners President Blayne Osborn; Sana Living Executive Director Nichole Schmal; Nevada Department of Health and Human Services Division of Health Care Financing and Policy Dani Dyer; Solutions of Change Director of Business Development Charlotte Watkins; Comprehensive Community Health Centers Maria Martinez; Agave Specialty Care Business Owner Homer Sims; and Golden Touch Behavioral Health Center & Professional Corporation Katherine Lyle.
Below: Lee at Spanish Hills Wellness Suites today sounding the alarm on the Republican budget bill


Below: Lee hosting a Medicaid roundtable on Monday


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