Nevada legislators heard proposals for three bills in the Assembly and Senate health committees this week, including one that would spend $15 million to general public health needs.
Another would study the financial impact of increasing reimbursements , which in Nevada are lower than most states. Anothher would mandate that a state program for low-income Nevadans cover the cost of donor human milk. Assemblyman Michael Sprinkle of Sparks and Washoe County District Health Officer Kevin Dick say, increasing funds designated for public health could improve access to health care and reduce the economic burdens of disease. Nevada, which ranks 50th in the U.S. for public health spending, allocates $6.75 per capita on public health, the fund would bring that number to $9.25, increasing Nevada’s rank to 49th.