Nevada

Nevada debuts public option amid federal health care shifts

Published

4 weeks ago

March 1, 2026

Nevada debuts public option amid federal health care shifts

More than 10,000 people have enrolled in Nevada’s new public option health plans, which debuted last fall with the expectation that they would bring lower prices to the health insurance market.

Those preliminary numbers from the open enrollment period that ended in January are less than a third of what state officials had projected. Nevada is the third state so far to launch a public option plan, along with Colorado and Washington state. The idea is to offer lower-cost plans to consumers to expand health care access.

But researchers said plans like these are unlikely to fill the gaps left by sweeping federal changes, including the expiration of enhanced subsidies for plans bought on Affordable Care Act marketplaces.

The public option gained attention in the late 2000s when Congress considered but ultimately rejected creating a health plan funded and run by the government that would compete with private carriers in the market. The programs in Washington state, Colorado, and Nevada don’t go that far — they aren’t government-run but are private-public partnerships that compete with private insurance.

In recent years, states have considered creating public option plans to make health coverage more affordable and to reduce the number of uninsured people. Washington was the first state to launch a program, in 2021, and Colorado followed in 2023.

Washington and Colorado’s programs have run into challenges, including a lack of participation from clinicians, hospitals, and other care providers, as well as insurers’ inability to meet rate reduction benchmarks or lower premiums compared with other plans offered on the market.

Nevada law requires that the carriers of the public option plans — Battle Born State Plans, named after a state motto — lower premium costs compared with a benchmark “silver” plan in the marketplace by 15% over the next four years.

But that amount might not make much difference to consumers with rising premium payments from the loss of the ACA’s enhanced tax credits, said Keith Mueller, director of the Rural Policy Research Institute.

“That’s not a lot of money,” Mueller said.

Three of the eight insurers on the state’s exchange, Nevada Health Link, offered the state plans during the open enrollment period.

Insurance companies plan to meet the lower premium cost requirement in Nevada by cutting broker fees and commissions, which prompted opposition from insurance brokers in the state. In response, Nevada marketplace officials told state lawmakers in January that they will give a flat-fee reimbursement to brokers.

The public option has faced opposition among state leaders. In 2024, a state judge dismissed a lawsuit, brought by a Nevada state senator and a group that advocates for lower taxes, that challenged the public option law as unconstitutional. They have appealed to the state Supreme Court.

Federal Policy Impacts

Recent federal changes create more obstacles.

Nevada is consistently among the states with the largest populations of people who do not have health insurance coverage. Last year, nearly 95,000 people in the state received the enhanced ACA tax credits, averaging $465 in savings per month, according to KFF, a health information nonprofit that includes KFF Health News.

But the enhanced tax credits expired at the end of the year, and it appears unlikely that lawmakers will bring them back. Nationwide ACA enrollment has decreased by more than 1 million people so far this year, down from record-high enrollment of 24 million last year.

About 4 million people are expected to lose health coverage from the expiration of the tax credits, according to the Congressional Budget Office. An additional 3 million are projected to lose coverage because of other policy changes affecting the marketplace.

Justin Giovannelli, an associate research professor at the Center on Health Insurance Reforms at Georgetown University, said the changes to the ACA in the Republicans’ One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which President Donald Trump signed into law last summer, will make it more difficult for people to keep their coverage. These changes include more frequent enrollment paperwork to verify income and other personal information, a shortened enrollment window, and an end to automatic reenrollment.

In Nevada, the changes would amount to an estimated 100,000 people losing coverage, according to KFF.

“All of that makes getting coverage on Nevada Health Link harder and more expensive than it would be otherwise,” Giovannelli said.

State officials projected ahead of open enrollment that about 35,000 people would purchase the public option plans. Of the 104,000 people who had purchased a plan on the state marketplace as of mid-January, 10,762 had enrolled in one of the public option plans, according to Nevada Health Link.

Katie Charleson, communications officer for the state health exchange, said the original enrollment estimate was based on market conditions before the recent increases in customers’ premium costs. She said that the public option plans gave people facing higher costs more choices.

“We expect enrollment in Battle Born State Plans to grow over time as awareness increases and as Nevadans continue seeking quality coverage options that help reduce costs,” Charleson said.

According to KFF, nationally the enhanced subsidies saved enrollees an average of $705 annually in 2024, and enrollees would save an estimated $1,016 in premium payments on average in 2026 if the subsidies were still in place. Without the subsidies, people enrolled in the ACA marketplace could be seeing their premium costs more than double.

Insights From Washington and Colorado

Washington and Colorado are not planning to alter their programs due to the expiration of the tax credits, according to government officials in those states.

Other states that had recently considered creating public options have backtracked. Minnesota officials put off approving a public option in 2024, citing funding concerns. Proposals to create public options in Maine and New Mexico also sputtered.

Washington initially saw meager enrollment in its Cascade Select public option plans; only 1% of state marketplace enrollees chose a public option plan in 2021. But that changed after lawmakers required hospitals to contract with at least one public option plan by 2023. Last year the state reported that 94,000 customers enrolled, accounting for 30% of all customers on the state marketplace. The public option plans were the lowest-premium silver plans in 31 of Washington’s 39 counties in 2024.

A 2025 study found that since Colorado implemented its public option, called the Colorado Option, coverage through the ACA marketplace has become more affordable for enrollees who received subsidies but more expensive for enrollees who did not.

Colorado requires all insurers offering coverage through its marketplace to include a public option that follows state guidelines. The state set premium reduction targets of 5% a year for three years beginning in 2023. Starting this year, premium costs are not allowed to outpace medical inflation.

Though the insurers offering the public option did not meet the premium reduction targets, enrollment in the Colorado Option has increased every year it has been available. Last year, the state saw record enrollment in its marketplace, with 47% of customers purchasing a public option plan.

Giovannelli said states are continuing to try to make health insurance more affordable and accessible, even if federal changes reduce the impact of those efforts.

“States are reacting and trying to continue to do right by their residents,” Giovannelli said, “but you can’t plug all those gaps.”

Are you struggling to afford your health insurance? Have you decided to forgo coverage? Click here to contact KFF Health News and share your story.

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces in-depth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF — an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism. Learn more about KFF.

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Nevada

4 Southern Nevadans named to USA flag football national roster

Published

8 hours ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

4 Southern Nevadans named to USA flag football national roster

Four flag football players with ties to Southern Nevada have been named to USA Football’s 2026 women’s flag national team initial roster.

Former high school standouts Akemi Higa (Desert Oasis), Kaylie Phillips (Liberty), Maci Joncich (Coronado) and Brooklin Hill (Desert Oasis) were named to the 24-person roster.

Higa just completed her senior season with Desert Oasis where she was a first-team All-Southern Nevada selection and led the state with 5,764 passing yards. She is committed to play college flag football at Nevada State University.

Hill and Phillips currently play for Nevada State. Joncich graduated from Coronado in 2024 and was on the 2025 national team.

After a training camp that will determine the traveling roster and alternates, the team will compete in the 2026 International Federation of American Football flag football world championships in Germany this August.

Contact Alex Wright at awright@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AlexWright1028 on X.

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Nevada

Nevada’s season ends with 79-65 quarterfinal loss to Auburn in NIT

Published

20 hours ago

March 26, 2026

Press Room

Nevada’s season ends with 79-65 quarterfinal loss to Auburn in NIT

Nevada ran into a tough Auburn team and saw its season come to an end Wednesday night.

The Tigers beat the Wolf Pack, 75-69, in the NIT men’s basketball quarterfinals, at Neville Arena, in Auburn, Ala.

Nevada ends its season at 24-13 overall (12 -8 in the Mountain West). Auburn improved to 20-16 overall (7-11 SEC) and will play Illinois State in the NIT semifinals on April 2 (6:30 p.m.) in Indianapolis, Ind. The NIT championship is set for April 5 in Indianapolis.

In the other NIT semifinal, New Mexico will play Tulsa, also on April 2 at 4 p.m.

In Wednesday’s game, Nevada sophomore Elijah Price had a double-double with 22 points and 11 rebounds. Both were game highs. Price made 9-of-13 free throws and 6-of-7 field goals. Vaughn Weems had 15 points and Corey Camper Jr. had 13.

Auburn had four players in double figures led by Filip Jovic with 18. Tahaad Pettiford had 16 points, Elyjah Freeman had 16 and Keyshawn Hall, who started his college career at UNLV in 2022-23, had 14.

Nevada battled back after trailing by 12 at the half (38-26), thanks to better long-range shooting in the second half.

Key Stats

Nevada shot 46 percent from the field (25-of-54) and 7-of-20 from 3-point range. The Pack hit 5-of-7 from the arc in the second half after hitting 2-of-13 in the first half.

Auburn shot 49 percent (30-of-61), but was just 1-of- 8 from the arc in the second half.

Nevada outscored Auburn, 43-37, in the second half.

The Wolf Pack was 12-of-17 from the free throw line and the Tigers were 9-of-14.

Nevada had 12 turnovers, to seven for Auburn.

Each team had 31 rebounds.

The Tigers had nine steals, to four for the Wolf Pack.

Nevada coach Steve Alford has 724 career wins.

First Half

Auburn led, 38-26, at the half after committing just one turnover in the first half.

Nevada made 2-of-13 from 3-point range in the first half.

Seniors

Nevada loses five seniors from this season’s team: Joel Armotrading, Jeriah Coleman, Corey Camper Jr., Tayshawn Comer and Kaleb Lowery.

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Nevada

9 Best Places To Live In Nevada In 2026

Published

1 day ago

March 25, 2026

Press Room

Nevada has emerged as one of the most attractive places to live in the US, drawing thousands of new residents each year who seek a high quality of life. The state’s biggest draw for most is financial. As one of just a handful of states with no personal income tax, no corporate income tax, and no inheritance tax, the state allows residents to keep more of their income. This, coupled with property taxes that rank among the lowest in the nation, makes the financial case for moving to Nevada hard to ignore. Beyond the tax advantages, Nevada offers stunning natural beauty, including portions of the Sierra Nevada mountains and the Mojave Desert. Nevada’s outdoor recreation is genuinely world-class. Add in 300 days of sunshine across most of the state, and it is easy to see why Nevada has become one of the best places to live in 2026.

Henderson

The cityscape of Henderson, Nevada.

Henderson consistently ranks among the best cities in Nevada for families, safety, and income. With over 330,000 residents and proximity to downtown Las Vegas, Henderson ranks among the best cities to live and work in America. Major employers include Amazon, Haas Automation, and a growing number of tech companies. The city’s economic strength is reflected in a 22% population increase over the past year (according to a Storage Cafe study), making it one of America’s fastest-growing cities.

Night view of the beautiful Emerald Island Casino in Water Street District at Henderson, Nevada. — Night view of the beautiful Emerald Island Casino in the Water Street District in Henderson, Nevada. Image credit Kit Leong via Shutterstock.com

Communities like Green Valley, Anthem, and MacDonald Ranch offer beautifully designed neighborhoods with access to golf courses, hiking trails, and resort-style amenities. The city also has a growing cultural scene, with the downtown Water Street District experiencing a revitalization in recent years. With over 70 parks, award-winning recreational facilities, and proximity to Lake Mead National Recreation Area, there is no shortage of things to do in Henderson.

Reno

Nicknamed the “Biggest Little City in the World,” Reno has undergone one of the most impressive reinventions of any American city in recent years. Once known only as Las Vegas’s grittier little cousin, Reno has become a genuine innovation hub, attracting talent, investment, and many new residents. Reno’s transformation was brought on by the arrival of Tesla’s Gigafactory at the Tahoe Reno Industrial Center in 2016. Soon after, Panasonic and several other tech and manufacturing companies invested in the city. Today, Reno has earned a US Economic Development Administration Tech Hub designation, and more than 2,000 tech companies have relocated to the region.

The Reno Arch in Reno, Nevada. Image credit travelview via Shutterstock.com

Reno’s cultural scene has also grown alongside its economy, with the University of Nevada, Reno, and downtown serving as a hub for music venues, restaurants, education, and athletics. With approximately 280,000 residents, Reno offers many urban amenities on a smaller scale. Sitting on the eastern slope of the Sierra Nevada mountains and about a 30-mile drive from Lake Tahoe, Reno is also a popular destination for outdoor adventure. Residents can spend weekends hiking, mountain biking, kayaking, and skiing, all within a short drive.

Summerlin

Summerlin is built around 26 master-planned villages, where cul-de-sacs and tree-canopied streets replace the gridlock of surrounding areas. With 150+ miles of trails within walking distance of most homes and shopping concentrated in open-air centers like Downtown Summerlin, the community has everything you need at your fingertips. The community boasts over 250 parks and ten golf courses, making it one of the most recreation-rich suburban environments in the region. With average home values over $700,000, according to Zillow, Summerlin sits at the premium end of the state’s real-estate market.

While pricey, Summerline delivers exceptional value to comparable communities due to its proximity to the Las Vegas job market and a wide array of highly rated public and private schools. The community is also close to Red Rock Canyon, one of Nevada’s most beloved natural landmarks, providing Summerlin residents with daily access to extraordinary natural beauty.

Sparks

Sparks has benefited directly from Reno’s economic boom in multiple ways. Just a few miles east of Reno, Sparks has quietly carved out its own niche in the region, becoming a hub for families who want a slower, suburban pace of life while still having access to everything the big city has to offer. Sparks offers a more accessible entry point into the Nevada housing market than Reno, with average home values around $500,00.

The town hosts festivals, concerts, and community events throughout the year, including the famous Best in the West Nugget Rib Cook-Off, which draws hundreds of thousands of visitors annually. Sparks is also home to the Sparks Marina Park, and has easy access to Lake Tahoe for weekend adventure.

Carson City

Carson City is steeped in Nevada history and is an excellent value proposition for young families and remote workers who don’t need the hustle and bustle of a big metropolitan city. As the capital city, Carson City feels neither big nor small. It offers the best features of a small town of 50,000 while maintaining access to some of the state’s larger, more popular destinations. The Nevada State Museum, the Nevada State Capitol, the Kit Carson Trail, and the old downtown district give the city a cultural richness that larger, faster-growing Nevada cities sometimes lack.

Residents are also within 20 minutes of the beaches and ski runs of Lake Tahoe and within easy reach of the Sierra Nevada wilderness. The Eagle Valley Golf Course and the miles of public land make outdoor living a reality rather than a luxury. While housing prices reflect the city’s growing popularity, with average home values at just under $500,000, they remain significantly more affordable than in Nevada’s larger cities.

Boulder City

Boulder City was built in the 1930s to house workers constructing the Hoover Dam and is one of the most unique small cities in the state. With approximately 15,500 residents, Boulder City has retained its historic character, intentionally limited its growth, and has chosen to remain one of only two places in Nevada where gambling is prohibited.

Entrance to the Lake Mead Marina in Boulder City, Nevada. Image credit Nadia Yong via Shutterstock.com

Meanwhile, the Nevada State Railroad Museum, the Boulder City/Hoover Dam Museum, and Hoover Dam offer residents a wealth of unique cultural history to explore. Lake Mead National Recreation Area, one of the nation’s largest reservoirs, sits on the city’s doorstep and is perfect for a weekend on the water. The Sloan Canyon National Conservation Area and proximity to Red Rock Canyon add hiking and rock climbing to the mix.

Las Vegas

To dismiss Las Vegas as a tourist destination is to miss the reality of one of America’s most dynamic cities. Las Vegas is a city with strong career opportunities, major sports franchises, world-class dining, and a growing community identity that extends far beyond gambling and nightlife. The key to loving Las Vegas is knowing where to live. Communities like Centennial Hills offer top-tier amenities, excellent schools, and suburban tranquillity that feel worlds away from the Strip. But for those seeking urban energy, the downtown Arts District and areas around the University of Nevada, Las Vegas offer a more bohemian, walkable experience.

Las Vegas has the largest and most diverse job market in Nevada, anchored by hospitality, tourism, and a growing tech sector. According to the 2026 Area Development report, Las Vegas ranked first nationally in the Mega Locations category. Major employers span every sector, and the city’s role as a world-leading convention destination creates sustained demand for a wide range of business services. Average home values of around $420,000 also place Las Vegas below the state average of $440,000.

Mesquite

About 80 miles northeast of Las Vegas near the Arizona border, Mesquite has quietly become one of Nevada’s premier destinations. Its setting in the Virgin River Valley, surrounded by the Mojave Desert, is simply stunning. The Virgin River Gorge, local hiking trails, and access to Lake Mead contribute to an outdoor lifestyle that appeals to people of all ages.

With year-round warm weather, championship golf courses, and a relaxed community atmosphere, Mesquite offers a lifestyle hard to beat. Mesquite has a strong appeal to retirees, with a median resident age of about 60. Retirees on fixed incomes, in particular, appreciate the affordable housing, with average home values below $400,000.

Incline Village

Incline Village is a small community on the north shore of Lake Tahoe and is the only Nevada town with direct lake access. With just over 9,000 residents, Incline Village is intimate yet highly livable. The Diamond Peak Ski Resort is in your backyard, and the surrounding forests offer hundreds of miles of hiking and mountain biking trails. Two private beaches, Incline Beach and Burnt Cedar Beach, are reserved exclusively for Incline Village residents.

Property values are among the highest in Nevada (at over $1M), reflecting the town’s limited housing supply. The community is best suited to affluent buyers, retirees with substantial savings, and outdoor enthusiasts who want to live right next to Lake Tahoe. For those who can afford it, the lifestyle is extraordinary.

Your New Life in Nevada Awaits

Nevada in 2026 is a state that is economically diversified, financially advantageous, and home to a remarkable range of communities that consistently compete with the best in the country. Whether you are drawn by the career opportunities of a booming tech sector or the serenity of a small town with mountain views, Nevada has somewhere that fits.

Keep in mind that the best place to live in Nevada depends entirely on you. Your career stage, your family situation, your budget, and your vision for the life you want. Take the time to explore your options, visit the communities that speak to you, and find the version of Nevada that makes you want to stay, not just for a weekend, but for good.

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