In Case You Missed it: Sen. Heller Discusses Health Care Reform’s Effect on Nevada with HHS Secretary Price

WASHINGTON, June 8 -- The office of Sen. Dean Heller, R-Nev., issued the following news release:

During a Senate Finance Committee hearing today, U.S. Senator Dean Heller (R-NV) discussed the effect the American Health Care Act (AHCA) in its current form would have on the state of Nevada as well as rising health care costs with Health and Human Services Secretary (HHS) Tom Price. Heller explained that the House-passed AHCA would lead to a $250 million hole in Nevada's annual budget as a result of its proposed changes to Medicaid. Furthermore, he noted that since the Nevada Legislature is out of session, there are concerns that passage of the AHCA would require Nevada to call a special session in order to address the budget shortfall since the legislature meets biennially. Heller also asked Secretary Price about the growth of health care costs over the next 10 years. Click HERE (https://youtu.be/votqCya25_o) or below to watch the exchange.

While Heller is in favor of repealing Obamacare, he is opposed to the AHCA in its current form because it does not do enough to address Nevada's Medicaid population or protect Nevadans with pre-existing conditions. Heller remains engaged in discussions with his colleagues from Medicaid expansion states, Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval, Senate leadership, and the Administration to find a path forward.

Earlier this year during Tom Price's confirmation hearing, Heller asked for his commitment to working with Congress to protect access to care for patients in Nevada, particularly the more than 600,000 Nevadans that are currently on Medicaid.