LAS VEGAS (KLAS) – Well being invoice SB 217 superior within the Nevada legislature final week and is now on Governor Lombardo’s desk awaiting his signature.
The invoice contains protection for therapies like IVF, in addition to fertility preservation for many who have been identified with excessive sickness.
“I had arthritis for most of my life. That drug that I was on, while helpful to my arthritis, was severely damaging to my egg reserves,” shared Stephanie Capellas-Glascock, who has been struggling along with her infertility journey for years.
“I knew that it wasn’t going to be something that I could accomplish on my own, so therefore I needed to look into fertility treatments for myself,” she defined.
If signed, Nevada may turn into the primary state within the nation to supply fertility protection for Medicaid. Nevertheless, the invoice does face pushback for its value and sure language in it.
“One of my concerns, just looking at it, so I may reserve my right to change my vote, is just the financial impact on our public employee benefit program that can go down to increasing premiums,” mentioned Democratic Meeting Member Shea Backus, who did vote in favor.
In the meantime, the Nevada GOP occasion referred to as on the governor to veto the invoice. Their web site cited their opposition as a result of it “declares embryos prior to implantation as non-human.”
“I don’t think fertility treatments are a political issue. I think it’s a health and medical issue,” Capellas-Glascock responded when requested concerning the opposition. “We know that the GOP has some thoughts and feelings on that too, but I think the tremendous thing about IVF is that it is a miracle in medicine and science that really affords individuals the option to have a family, so when they’re ready to start a family, they have that option.”
When requested concerning the fiscal implications, she responded, “There’s always a cost associated. I think it’s knowing that the pros supremely outweigh the cons.”
The state estimated the associated fee can be about $38 million over the following two years.
