Carson City — The Assembly Ways and Means Committee considered SB217, a broadly framed reproductive‑health bill that would require insurers to cover certain assisted reproductive technologies, add statutory protections for providers who deliver fertility services and create an enrollment window for pregnant uninsured individuals. The bill also phases Medicaid coverage elements to take effect July 1, 2027, to allow Nevada Medicaid to seek federal waivers and develop implementation details.

Major themes

Supporters framed SB217 as addressing infertility and reproductive health equity. The Majority Leader, Sen. Nicole Cannizzaro, told the committee the measure is designed to protect families that must rely on fertility treatments — including IVF — that can be cost‑prohibitive. Health‑care and reproductive‑health organizations (including the Nevada chapter of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and patient‑advocacy groups) testified in support.

Opponents included Nevada Right to Life and other groups that warned of fiscal and ethical concerns. Nevada Right to Life urged the committee to consider budget impacts on employers and state plans and noted the estimated average cost for a single IVF cycle nationally ranges from about $12,000 to $15,000; opponents said a required benefit could increase premiums and reduce plan flexibility. Several callers and written comments echoed concerns that the fiscal effect on state budgets and on private‑market premiums could be larger than estimates presented earlier in policy hearings.

Fiscal and implementation details

The committee record shows reprint and amendment work on PEB and Medicaid timing: Office of PEB indicated the PEB board removed its fiscal note in reprint 2 by moving the implementation date to allow actuarial work; Nevada Medicaid (DHHS) confirmed reprint 2 could absorb implementation costs in the 2025‑27 biennium and would pursue federal waiver opportunities to offset Medicaid costs after the July 1, 2027, effective date. Several stakeholders — including health insurers — testified neutrally; the Nevada Association of Health Plans said member companies estimated a per‑member increase (association estimate: roughly $9 per member per month) and urged collaborative drafting and caution on mandated benefits.

What the bill does not decide

DHHS explained that federal CMS waiver approval and actuarial rate setting will define the long‑term Medicaid cost; the committee record does not show final actuarial work and several members pressed for better data on utilization and private‑market premium impacts before final floor action.

Next steps

Committee members asked for additional actuarial and utilization data; the secretary of state and PEB clarifications were already incorporated into reprint language. Sponsors asked the committee to advance the policy while DHHS proceeds with waiver and actuarial work that will inform future appropriations and rulemaking.