Nevada

Nevada debuts public option amid federal health care shifts

Published

2 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

Who is running for Nevada governor, 2nd Congressional district, Reno Mayor? See full list

Published

55 minutes ago

March 13, 2026

Press Room

Who is running for Nevada governor, 2nd Congressional district, Reno Mayor? See full list

Over 1,000 candidates have filed to run for political seats across the Silver State at the federal, state and local level as of midday Friday, according to the Secretary of State.

Friday is the last day of the two-week candidate filing period for non-judicial seats. When the candidate lists are finalized, the races for the 2026 midterms will be set.

The top northern Nevada races of the 2026 cycle are likely to be Joe Lombardo’s gubernatorial reelection bid, the open race for Rep. Mark Amodei’s seat in Congress and the open race for Reno Mayor.

Below is a list of the declared candidates for some of the key races, which will be updated throughout the day as more candidates apply to run. To see the full list of candidates for all judicial and non-judicial seats across Nevada, visit the Secretary of State’s website.

Governor of Nevada

Political observers expect Gov. Lombardo to coast through the Republican primary in his reelection bid with no major candidates running against the incumbent. On the Democratic side, five candidates had filed as of midday Friday, including Nevada attorney general Aaron Ford and Washoe County commissioner Alexis Hill.

Aaron D. Ford (D)
Alexis Hill (D)
Allen Rheinhart (no party)
Barak Zilberberg (R)
Danielle Ford (no party)
Donald J. “Donald Jr.” Beaudry Jr. (R)
Emile Bouari (D)
Emilio R. Rodriguez (no party)
Irina Hansen (R)
John T. Scott (no party)
Jordan Koteras (no party)
Jose M. Zelaya (R)
Joseph Lombardo (R)
Matthew R. Winterhawk (R)
Kameron M. Hawkins (R)
Miqehl Bayfield (D)
Sunshine Arterburn (D)
Max Beck (no party)

2nd Congressional District

Rep. Amodei’s surprise retirement announcement earlier this year touched off a frenzy of speculation and rumors in the political world, but the list of declared candidates is now coming in to focus. As of midday Friday, 24 candidates had applied for the seat, which covers all of northern Nevada:

Andrea Lowe (R)
Bruce Grego (R)
Fred J. Simon, Jr. (R)
Gamaliel Z. “Gamy” Enriquez (D)
George Forbush (R)
James A. Settelmeyer (R)
Jennifer Billat (R)
Jerry Olsen (R)
Jesse J. Watts (R)
Johnny E. Kerns (D)
Josh Hebert (D)
Kathy Durham (D)
Lynn Chapman (Independent American Party)
Mark Jolle (D)
Matthew Fonken (D)
Michael “Mike” Smith (R)
Monica Jaye Stabbert (R)
Morgan Wadsworth (D)
Rick Shepherd (R)
Sherman Tylawsky (R)
Teresa F. Benitez-Thompson (D)
Tom Doyle (R)
Robert, G “Greg” Kidd (D)
Douglas “Doug” Miller (R)
William “Bill” Conrad (R)
Gerold L. Gorman (D)
David Flippo (R)

Reno Mayor

Mayor Hillary Schieve is termed out and cannot run for another 4-year term leading the Biggest Little City. As of Friday morning, 9 candidates had filed for the open seat, including a former lieutenant governor and two current council members. Below is the full list of candidates for the nonpartisan seat:

Corinthia M. Yancey
Devon T. Reese
George “Eddie” Lorton
Greg “Nutt” Nuttle
Jesse O. Razo
John Wayne Zink
Kate Marshall
Kathleen Taylor
Tim Ross

Sparks Mayor

Ed Lawson, who has led the City of Sparks as its mayor since his appointment in 2020, is running for a second full term leading the Rail City. So far, three candidates and Lawson have filed to run for the mayoral seat, including current councilwoman Charlene Bybee. Below is the full list of candidates for the nonpartisan seat:

Charlene Bybee
Ed Lawson (incumbent)
Wendi M. Rawson
Diana L. Mackey

Washoe County Sheriff

As of Friday morning, Washoe County Sheriff Darin Balaam was the only candidate to apply for the seat. If no one else files before the Friday deadline, Balaam will win re-election automatically.

Washoe County District Attorney

Washoe County District Attorney Chris Hicks has filed for re-election, but will face an opponent for the first time in his political career.

Sparks City Attorney Wes Duncan is seeking to unseat Hicks. So far, Hicks and Duncan are the only two candidates in the race. If no one else files to run before the deadline, the pair will automatically advance to the general election.

Reno City Attorney

Reno city attorney Karl Hall confirmed to News 4-Fox 11 Thursday that he was not filing for reelection. Hall has been in the seat since his first election victory in 2014.

So far, attorney and professor Zee Bogale is the only candidate who has filed to run for the city attorney’s office. If no one else files for the race, Bogale will win the city attorney seat by default.

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Nevada

Nevada Regulators Fine Peptide Providers at Anti-Aging Festival Where Two Women Became Critically Ill

Published

13 hours ago

March 13, 2026

Press Room

Nevada Regulators Fine Peptide Providers at Anti-Aging Festival Where Two Women Became Critically Ill

Nevada regulators have fined three people who played a role in offering peptide injections last year at a Las Vegas anti-aging conference where two women became critically ill following treatment.

Last month, the Nevada Pharmacy Board levied $10,000 fines against a doctor and a pharmacist who are licensed in California but who don’t have permission to practice in Nevada. It imposed a $5,000 fine against a third man who describes himself as an “integrative health coach” but who doesn’t appear to be a licensed health care practitioner.

The pharmacy board also imposed a $10,000 fine against a Texas-based private membership association, which authorities accused of mailing the peptides to Nevada. The group, Forgotten Formula, claims a constitutional right to conduct private transactions with its members and contends those transactions occur “outside the scope” of state commercial regulations.

The citations stem from an incident in July at the Revolution Against Aging and Death Festival, which is put on by an Arizona-based organization that promises pathways to an “unlimited lifespan.” Dr. Kent Holtorf, whose anti-aging medical practice is based in El Segundo, California, operated a booth at the festival offering alternative health therapies, including peptide injections. Peptides are short amino acid chains that have exploded in popularity thanks to claims they can fight aging and chronic disease.

The board alleged that Forgotten Formula mailed the peptides to the casino resort hosting RAADFest, marking the package “to the attention of Dr. Kent Holtorf.” That shipment constituted “unlicensed wholesaling of drugs,” according to the board’s citation.

A trustee of Forgotten Formula told ProPublica his association was not present at the festival and did not provide peptides to be offered for public use.

After being injected with peptides at Holtorf’s booth, two women left the conference in ambulances, so ill they had to be intubated to assist them in breathing. They have since recovered.

The pharmacy board was unable to determine why the women became ill — including whether the injections were contaminated or the women reacted to the peptides themselves. Investigators were unable to test the serums.

“We were not able to obtain the product, although attempts were made,” said David Wuest, the board’s executive secretary.

Although the Food and Drug Administration has approved many peptide-based medications to treat serious diseases such as diabetes and cancer, peptide therapies used for anti-aging and regenerative health are largely unregulated. (Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been a strong proponent of peptides.) The FDA allows compounding pharmacies to dispense some peptides, but has listed 19 of some of the most popular peptides as posing “significant safety risks.” Compounding pharmacies are prohibited from dispensing those on the list. As a result, many unsafe peptides are sold on a booming gray market, including directly to consumers by entities in the U.S. and abroad that are skirting FDA rules.

The injections administered to both women at the Las Vegas convention included at least one peptide that the FDA warns poses a safety risk, according to the pharmacy board’s citations. Kennedy said recently that the FDA plans to reclassify 14 of the peptides currently listed as unsafe, which could allow compounding pharmacies to begin dispensing them.

Holtorf, who did not respond to repeated attempts to contact him, was fined for practicing in Nevada without a state license. Han Bao Nguyen, the pharmacist accused of mixing the peptides for both women and administering the serums to one of them, also was cited for the same violation. Nguyen works at Holtorf’s practice, according to its website. He did not respond to requests for comment.

Michael McNeal, the “integrative health coach” and director of education at Integrative Peptides, a company founded by Holtorf, was accused of prescribing or recommending a peptide cocktail to one of the women. Wuest said McNeal does not appear to hold any health care licenses. McNeal did not respond to requests for comment.

In July, Holtorf told ProPublica he didn’t believe the peptides caused the women’s illnesses, saying he’d asked an artificial intelligence app to analyze the incident. He wouldn’t share what the app had concluded was the cause. He also apologized for the situation and said he was “reassessing everything we are doing” to keep patients safe.

Wuest said the board notified the California boards that license Holtorf and Nguyen of the fines so they may consider additional discipline. The FDA also has been notified, he said.

Michael Blake Fiveash is co-founder and first trustee of Forgotten Formula, which the board accused of unlicensed wholesaling of pharmaceuticals. He said pharmacy board regulations, while necessary for regulating public commerce, don’t apply to his association because it offers services only to members who have signed a contract. He said such member-to-member activity is protected by the First and 14th amendments. In a letter to ProPublica, he said Holtorf, whose peptide company is listed as a partner on Forgotten Formula’s website, was operating at RAADFest under his public medical practice, not as an association member. Nor were the women who became ill members of the association, Fiveash said.

“Dr. Holtorf’s booth at RAADFest was a public commercial activity,” Fiveash said in a letter. The Forgotten Formula Private Member Association “did not supply materials for public commercial use or public distribution. If Dr. Holtorf utilized any materials in his public professional practice, that would represent his individual choice to apply private member resources to his separate public professional activities, which is beyond FFPMA’s control or responsibility.”

Fiveash did not directly answer questions about whether the association mailed the peptides to Holtorf. He also shared a video of testimonials from Forgotten Formula members, including children and adults, suffering serious illnesses such as cancer, Lyme disease, diabetes and cirrhosis who said they were helped by the association’s products.

He challenged the premise that the women became ill from the peptides. “Without comprehensive toxicology, full medical histories, and analysis of all substances and treatments administered that day, attributing causation to peptides is speculation masquerading as reporting,” he said. “Any adverse event is concerning, and we hope both patients have fully recovered.”

Laura Tucker, the pharmacy board’s lawyer, said this is the board’s first encounter with a private membership association making such legal claims, but emphasized that mailing drugs to the state without a Nevada license is against state law. She added that any of the parties can appeal their citations to the board.

“Of course anyone is free to make any sort of legal argument they would like to try to make in front of the board,” she said.

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Nevada

Picturehouse Create line-up includes ‘Rebuilding’, ‘Rose Of Nevada’ screenings

Published

1 day ago

March 12, 2026

Press Room

Picturehouse Create line-up includes ‘Rebuilding’, ‘Rose Of Nevada’ screenings

EXCLUSIVE: Max Walker-Silverman’s Rebuilding and Mark Jenkin’s Rose Of Nevada will bookend the second edition of industry-focused UK event Picturehouse Create, running from April 15-18 in London.

Walker-Silverman’s Rebuilding will open the event on Wednesday, April 15, with the director in attendance. The film, starring Josh O’Connor, debuted at Sundance 2025 and will open in UK-Ireland through Picturehouse Entertainment on April 17.

Picturehouse Create will close on Saturday, April 18, with Jenkin’s Rose Of Nevada starring George MacKay and Callum Turner. Jenkin and producer Denzil Monk will join a Q&A following the screening, hosted by UK filmmaker Ben Sharrock.

BFI Distribution will release Rose Of Nevada in the UK & Ireland on April 24.

Industry panels will include ‘Apply Here: Film Funding in the UK’, in which Mia Bays, director of the BFI Film Fund, and David Kimbangi, senior commissioning executive at Film4, will aim to demystify pathways to financial support for short films and debut features in the UK.

A Stars of Tomorrow panel will look at the impact of the annual Screen talent showcase, featuring alumni Charlotte Regan, Archie Madekwe and Naqqash Khalid. Both panels will be hosted by Screen.

Netflix has joined Picturehouse Create as a Presenting Partner, backing the 2026 programme through its Generation N work that supports UK skills and training programmes.

“The UK is home to an extraordinary community of filmmakers and storytellers, and festivals like Picturehouse Create play an important role in bringing that creative community together,” said Ollie Madden, director of UK Film, Netflix. “Opportunities like this are exactly what our Generation N work is about.”

Further panels will include a discussion on film festivals with representatives from Edinburgh, Cambridge Film Festival and the BFI, a screenwriting masterclass, a day of events on the horror genre, including a discussion with directors Prano Bailey-Bond and Alice Lowe, and a speed meeting event with talent agents.

The Short Film Showcase will offer a $10,000 in-kind services prize from post-production firm Company 3, and a £1,000 cash prize from Picturehouse.

Further screenings in the festival include Francis Lee’s 2017 title God’s Own Country and Bailey-Bond’s 2021 Censor, with both filmmakers in attendance.

Additional events will be added to the programme, featuring executives from Film4, the BFI, and agencies Sara Putt Associates and Casarotto Ramsay & Associates.

Launched last year, Picturehouse Create aims to connect the independent filmmaking sector with the wider creative community. The ticketed event welcomes attendees with no prior filmmaking experience to hear from industry representatives from distribution, finance, production and exhibition, as well as filmmakers.

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