Bill > SB494

This bill creates the Nevada Health Authority, a new state agency designed to consolidate and streamline health-related functions and services across multiple existing departments and divisions. The bill establishes the Authority as a comprehensive health agency with three primary divisions: the Medicaid Division, the Health Care Purchasing and Compliance Division, and the Consumer Health Division. The Authority will have broad responsibilities, including improving access to affordable and high-quality healthcare, developing healthcare workforce strategies, ensuring healthcare coverage for state employees and residents, and creating more efficient systems for delivering health services. Specifically, the bill transfers numerous existing health-related functions from the Department of Health and Human Services to the new Authority, such as administering Medicaid, the Children's Health Insurance Program, the Public Employees' Benefits Program, and the Silver State Health Insurance Exchange. Key structural elements include the appointment of a Director by the Governor who must have specific qualifications in public health administration, and the creation of deputy director positions to oversee operations and health care financing. The bill also establishes an Office of the Medicaid Inspector General to prevent waste and fraud, and an Office of Data Analytics to manage health-related data. The legislation includes provisions for procurement, confidentiality of information, and the creation of a Nevada Health Authority Gift Fund. Additionally, the bill requires studies on opportunities for direct provider contracting, potential future function transfers, and various reporting requirements to the Legislature. The overall goal is to create a more integrated, efficient, and patient-centered approach to managing public health and health insurance programs in Nevada.

Health and Social Services

Finance (Senate)

https://www.leg.state.nv.us/App/NELIS/REL/83rd2025/Bill/12936/Overview