EXPLANATION – Matter in bolded italics is new; matter between brackets [omitted material] is material to be omitted. Green numbers along left margin indicate location on the printed bill (e.g., 5-15 indicates page 5, line 15).

1-1 Whereas, According to the Bureau of the Census of the United States

1-2 Department of Commerce, in 1996, 255,000 residents of the State of

1-3 Nevada, which equaled 15.6 percent of the population of this state, were

1-4 not covered by health insurance; and

1-5 Whereas, Forty-one states provide some form of health insurance

1-6 specifically for residents who are not otherwise able to secure health

1-7 insurance; and

1-8 Whereas, High-risk insurance may alleviate some of the financial

1-9 burden placed on families as a result of subsequent medical expenses; and

1-10 Whereas, Although a limited number of high-risk individuals may be

1-11 eligible for medical coverage pursuant to the provisions of the federal

1-12 Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996, the State of

1-13 Nevada does not guarantee that all high-risk individuals receive health

1-14 insurance; and

1-15 Whereas, It is in the best interests of the residents of the State of

1-16 Nevada to explore the feasibility of a comprehensive statewide health

2-1 insurance program designed to assist those residents who are not otherwise

2-2 able to secure health insurance, to obtain a greater understanding of the

2-3 issues and problems of improving health care and to establish a unified

2-4 effort to improve access to health care in this state; now, therefore, be it

2-5 Resolved by the Assembly of the State of Nevada, the Senate

2-6 Concurring, That the Legislative Commission is hereby directed to

2-7 conduct an interim study concerning the desirability and feasibility of a

2-8 comprehensive statewide health insurance program to assist Nevadans who

2-9 cannot obtain health insurance coverage or who have suffered a

2-10 catastrophic illness; and be it further

2-11 Resolved, That the study must include, without limitation, an

2-12 assessment of:

2-13 1. The estimated need for a comprehensive statewide health insurance

2-14 program;

2-15 2. The number of residents in this state who would benefit from such a

2-16 program and the logistics of making such a program available to these

2-17 persons;

2-18 3. The affordability of such a program, including exploring alternative

2-19 sources of funding;

2-20 4. The comprehensive health insurance policies and plans of various

2-21 other states, including any studies that have been performed regarding

2-22 these types of programs and the success rates of such programs;

2-23 5. Strategies and systems for increasing the availability and

2-24 affordability of such programs to residents of this state who are otherwise

2-25 not able to secure health insurance;

2-26 6. The availability of health insurance coverage available in this state

2-27 or from the Federal Government which is not being utilized; and

2-28 7. Any other issues that the committee wishes to study relating to the

2-29 feasibility and logistics of implementing a statewide health insurance

2-30 program for the residents of this state who are not otherwise able to secure

2-31 health insurance or have suffered catastrophic illnesses; and be it further

2-32 Resolved, That any recommended legislation proposed by the

2-33 committee must be approved by a majority of the members of the

2-34 Assembly and a majority of the members of the Senate appointed to the

2-35 committee; and be it further

2-36 Resolved, That the Legislative Commission shall submit a report of its

2-37 findings and any recommendations for legislation to the 71st session of the

2-38 Nevada Legislature.