Rep. Titus Co-Sponsors Medicaid Public Option Act

WASHINGTON, Oct. 25 -- Rep. Dina Titus, D-Nev., issued the following news release:

Today Rep. Dina Titus of Nevada's First Congressional District co-sponsored the Medicaid Public Option Act, legislation to give states the ability to allow residents to buy into Medicaid programs on state exchanges.

"While Republicans continue to disrupt the health care sector by manufacturing chaos and rattling insurance markets, this legislation serves as one of many options to provide Nevadans with affordable and accessible health care options. Along with Medicare For All legislation and measures to lower prescription drug costs for Americans, I will continue to fight for health care options to provide choices, stability, and access to quality care for Nevadans."

Background:

The Medicaid Public Option Act would give states the option to allow (but would not require) all state residents who are not concurrently enrolled in another insurance plan to buy into the state Medicaid program through their state's Exchange. States could charge premiums, copays, and deductibles for the plans based on current Affordable Care Act (ACA) standards. Individuals would be able to use their ACA tax credits to help cover the costs. If they do not have tax credits, the cost could not exceed 9.5% of the family income. The plans offered must be robust and cover the ACA's 10 Essential Health Benefits. The legislation is similar to "Sprinklecare" (AB 374), a bill introduced by Democratic Assemblyman Mike Sprinkle in the Nevada Legislature in 2017.