Nevada healthcare professionals oppose SB 495 and prior authorization rules
May 26, 2025 | 2025 Legislature NV, Nevada
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The Joint Meeting of the Senate and Assembly Committee on Health and Human Services convened on May 26, 2025, to discuss several significant health-related bills impacting Nevada residents. The meeting featured testimonies from healthcare professionals and concerned citizens, focusing on the implications of proposed legislation.
The first major topic of discussion centered around SB 495, which aims to implement prior authorization rules established by the Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare (PAQH). Florence Jamieson, an obstetrician with 40 years of experience, expressed her opposition to the bill. She highlighted concerns regarding the influence of large health insurance companies, such as Aetna and UnitedHealthcare, on Nevada law. Jamieson noted that the increasing use of prior authorization in Medicare Advantage Plans has led to delays in patient care, with 46 million requests recorded in 2022 alone. She argued that incorporating PAQH into state law would further entrench these monopolistic practices, ultimately harming patient access to necessary healthcare services.
Following Jamieson's testimony, Brenna Reynolds, a dental hygienist from Clark County, also voiced her opposition to aspects of SB 495. Reynolds shared her experiences with dental care under Medicaid, emphasizing the inadequacies of training for dental assistants and the potential risks to patient care. She criticized the provision allowing provisional licenses for assistants without prior examination, arguing that it undermines the standards of care expected in clinical settings.
The meeting underscored the ongoing debate over healthcare regulations in Nevada, particularly the balance between administrative efficiency and patient safety. As discussions continue, stakeholders are urged to consider the long-term implications of these legislative changes on the state's healthcare landscape. The committee is expected to deliberate further on these issues in upcoming sessions, with a focus on ensuring that patient care remains a priority in any new regulations.
The first major topic of discussion centered around SB 495, which aims to implement prior authorization rules established by the Council for Affordable Quality Healthcare (PAQH). Florence Jamieson, an obstetrician with 40 years of experience, expressed her opposition to the bill. She highlighted concerns regarding the influence of large health insurance companies, such as Aetna and UnitedHealthcare, on Nevada law. Jamieson noted that the increasing use of prior authorization in Medicare Advantage Plans has led to delays in patient care, with 46 million requests recorded in 2022 alone. She argued that incorporating PAQH into state law would further entrench these monopolistic practices, ultimately harming patient access to necessary healthcare services.
Following Jamieson's testimony, Brenna Reynolds, a dental hygienist from Clark County, also voiced her opposition to aspects of SB 495. Reynolds shared her experiences with dental care under Medicaid, emphasizing the inadequacies of training for dental assistants and the potential risks to patient care. She criticized the provision allowing provisional licenses for assistants without prior examination, arguing that it undermines the standards of care expected in clinical settings.
The meeting underscored the ongoing debate over healthcare regulations in Nevada, particularly the balance between administrative efficiency and patient safety. As discussions continue, stakeholders are urged to consider the long-term implications of these legislative changes on the state's healthcare landscape. The committee is expected to deliberate further on these issues in upcoming sessions, with a focus on ensuring that patient care remains a priority in any new regulations.
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