The Assembly Committee on Health and Human Services convened on May 26, 2025, to discuss critical health care legislation, particularly focusing on Senate Bill 262, aimed at expanding graduate medical education (GME) in Nevada. The meeting highlighted the urgent need for accessible health care, as expressed by constituents who shared personal struggles with obtaining medical services.

The session began with a presentation from a committee member who emphasized the overwhelming feedback from constituents regarding health care access. Many individuals reported difficulties in securing appointments with doctors, leading to emotional distress. This context set the stage for the discussions surrounding SB 262, which seeks to address these challenges by increasing the number of residency programs in the state.

Following the opening remarks, several stakeholders provided testimony in support of the bill. Patricia Charlton, chancellor of the Nevada System of Higher Education, underscored the importance of GME for the state's medical schools. Medical students, including Mitchell Anderson and Allison Gunderson, shared personal stories illustrating the impact of limited residency opportunities on their ability to remain in Nevada after graduation. They highlighted that nearly half of physicians tend to stay in the state where they complete their residency, reinforcing the need for more local training programs.

Patrick Kelly from the Nevada Hospital Association and Blaine Osborne from Nevada Rural Hospital Partners echoed these sentiments, stressing the critical workforce shortages in health care and the necessity of expanding GME to retain physicians in the state. Other supporters included representatives from various health organizations, who collectively advocated for the bill as a means to enhance health care delivery and community ties.

The committee also heard from Dean Wolfgang Gilliar of Touro University, who emphasized the potential for Nevada to attract top medical talent by establishing comprehensive training pathways within the state. He noted that a robust GME framework would not only benefit current medical students but also improve overall health care outcomes for Nevada residents.

As the meeting progressed, the committee opened the floor for public testimony. Supporters continued to express their backing for SB 262, with no opposition or neutral testimonies recorded. The session concluded with the committee chair thanking all participants and officially closing the hearing on the bill.

Overall, the meeting underscored a collective commitment to improving health care access in Nevada through enhanced medical education and training opportunities, reflecting a proactive approach to addressing the state's pressing health care needs.