Insuring Nevadan's have access to quality healthcare has been and remains a priority for Republicans. In recent years, Nevada’s healthcare burden rose dramatically as more of our citizens, due to economic conditions, turned to state and local social services. No doubt we are now at a critical juncture and important decisions concerning healthcare must be made by elected officials.

Nevada's legal challenge to the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA)—along with 25 other states—ended with the U.S. Supreme Court upholding most of the arguments presented by the states, including the U.S. Constitution prohibits the federal government from compelling citizens to purchase a healthcare policy or forcing states to increase their Medicaid eligibility standards on the threat of withdrawal of all federal Medicaid funding. Nevertheless, the Supreme Court determined that the ACA was constitutional. Nevada has created an insurance exchange as required by the ACA—the Silver State Exchange—and Nevadans without insurance may purchase insurance through the exchange beginning in 2014.

Despite the ACA, Republicans stand firmly behind free-market solutions to healthcare needs, e.g., increased insurer participation and competition. Furthermore, privately administered Health Savings Accounts provide a winning strategy for achieving healthcare independence. These concepts should be expanded not disbanded. We stand behind Medicare Advantage and support needed improvements to Medicare and Medicaid to make them more effective and efficient in serving the needs of our seniors and disabled citizens.

Ultimately, healthcare accessibility and affordability are linked directly with economic recovery. The burden on state and local social services will be lifted when job-killing policies and regulations are eliminated. Republican's first and paramount priority is getting Nevadans back to work. Their concerns over healthcare will diminish as real jobs with real benefits meet real needs.

Because this great country is committed to helping its citizens with healthcare needs, government (federal, state and local) and private organizations have created a vast network of available healthcare resources. We encourage those in need of care and/or information to examine our listing of Healthcare Resources.