A pair of bills passed and signed in this year’s legislative session aim to increase representation in the state’s healthcare marketplace and build infrastructure needed to further serve Nevada’s Native Americans.
Tribal representation will be incorporated in the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange board of directors, the group that enables purchases of subsidized healthcare plans for Nevadans, because of the passage of Senate Bill 97. As of July 1, this board will be made up of five voting members; one will be required to be a member of a tribal nation in the state who is also an expert in healthcare administration in tribal lands.
Because of the lack of economic opportunity in Indian Country, about 80 percent of Indigenous communities across the nation rely on federal programs. Senate Bill 312 creates the Tribal Health Authority Council through the Department of Native American Affairs. This council will develop legislation to increase access to healthcare and address barriers to healthcare for Native Nevadans. The new law also increases the Department of Health and Human Services’ commitment to enroll more tribal members into Medicaid. To accomplish this, DHHS is allowing tribes to determine enrollment eligibility for their members.
