Congresswoman Lee, Health Leaders Discuss Risks of Health Care Cuts, Rising Costs
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LAS VEGAS, NV – Today, at a local Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC), Congresswoman Susie Lee (NV-03) joined Southern Nevada Community Health Centers CEO Randy Smith to discuss the importance of ensuring southern Nevadans can afford and access high-quality health care. In Nevada, FQHCs have served 128,018 patients with comprehensive, culturally competent, high-quality primary health care services—9,672 of whom are in Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District.
“This is not a Republican or Democrat issue—health care affects all of us. Democrats are ready to pass a bill that saves health care in America, while congressional Republicans are refusing to come to Washington to re-open the government and prevent millions of Americans from losing their health care,” said Congresswoman Susie Lee. “FQHCs like Southern Nevada Community Health Center help keep our community healthy by providing comprehensive, high-quality health care. We should be making these services more accessible to people who need them the most—not robbing them of the health care they deserve to give tax cuts to billionaires.”
“We are committed to ensuring that everyone can access care, regardless of their ability to pay. More than half of our visits are provided to uninsured patients, and through our sliding fee scale, patients saved over $4.8 million in health care costs last year,” said CEO of the Southern Nevada Community Health Centers Randy Smith. “Every day, our providers, nurses, and staff work to make sure individuals and families across southern Nevada can get the care that they need to stay healthy.”
Earlier this year, Republicans in Washington passed a bill gutting Medicaid, kicking 15 million Americans off their health care, and taking away ACA tax credits that help 30,000 southern Nevadans afford their health care. On October 1, 2025, Republican lawmakers shut down the government rather than pass legislation to protect these tax credits. As the shutdown enters day 16, Congresswoman Lee is continuing to sound the alarm on the health care crisis facing southern Nevada as Nevadans across the state prepare for open enrollment on November 1st. If congressional Republicans refuse to pass legislation extending these tax credits, health care costs for families in southern Nevada could rise by nearly 200% -- on top of an average 26% increase for health care plans purchased through Nevada’s ACA exchange, Nevada Health Link.
Medicaid in Nevada:
- Nevada Medicaid data can be found HERE.
- Over 700,000 Nevadans receive health care coverage through Medicaid.
- Medicaid is not a controversial program—three quarters of Americans support it, including 63% of Republicans, 87% of Democrats, and 81% of Independents.
ACA Enhanced Premium Tax Credits in Nevada:
- Washington Republicans’ budget reconciliation bill failed to extend Affordable Care Act tax credits that help 85,000 Nevadans afford their health care—30,000 of whom live in Nevada’s 3rd Congressional District.
- On top of expiring ACA tax credits, the average premium rate increased by 26% for plans on Nevada’s ACA exchange (Nevada Health Link).
- If Congress allows the ACA tax credits to expire:
- Marketplace enrollees will pay $335 billion in higher premiums over the next ten years.
- Families who receive ACA tax credits will see an average tax increase of $4,051 in 2027.
- A 60-year-old couple in NV-03 earning about $80,000/year would see their premiums increase by more than $12,000 (a 178% increase).
- A family of four earning $64,000 would see their premiums increase by over $2,500 (a 191% increase)
- As a result of these tax credits, nearly nine out of 10 Nevadans who enrolled in insurance through Nevada Health Link were eligible to receive financial support to help bring down the cost of monthly premiums.
Above: (L to R) CEO of the Southern Nevada Community Health Centers Randy Smith, Congresswoman Susie Lee, Southern Nevada Health District Community Health Nurse Manager Merylyn Yegon, and Southern Nevada Community Health Center Behavioral Health Manager Tabitha Johnson
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