Carson City — The Assembly Ways and Means Committee took testimony on SB300, a bill to revise Medicaid coverage for mental‑health providers at federally qualified health centers (FQHCs) and to adjust reimbursement for medication‑assisted treatment (MOUD) providers.

Sen. Marilyn Dondero Loop, sponsor, said the bill codifies federal requirements that Medicaid cover services delivered by psychiatrists, psychologists, advanced practice registered nurses, marriage and family therapists and licensed clinical social workers at FQHCs, and adds certified professional counselors, licensed alcohol and drug counselors and supervised interns to align Nevada law with federal policy and to clear implementation uncertainty. Dondero Loop asked DHHS to apply for any federal waivers necessary to carry out the changes.

Why it matters

Providers and advocates said the changes would expand access to behavioral health services for Medicaid enrollees at community health centers and improve capacity for treating substance‑use disorders. Witnesses said low Medicaid MOUD reimbursement rates have limited treatment capacity; they urged rate increases to keep clinics solvent and expand access to lifesaving medication‑assisted treatment.

Fiscal details and state estimates

Anne Jensen of Nevada Medicaid presented the updated fiscal note tied to reprint language. Under the amendment the state share is split between the general fund and the hospital assessment (hospital tax). For the FQHC provider expansion the state general‑fund share was estimated at roughly $77,943 in FY26 and $104,981 in FY27. For the hospital tax portion aligned with the MOUD reimbursement change, state shares were larger: approximately $121,6804 in FY26 and $382,542 in FY27 (the transcript captures the larger magnitude and DHHS clarified totals are in the reprint). Jensen said the updated fiscal note aligns with appropriations in reprint 2 and that the division could proceed.

Support testimony

Representatives from FirstMed (a FQHC), the Nevada Opioid Treatment Association and multiple provider organizations described access issues. FirstMed’s board chair Helen Foley described FQHCs’ role caring for foster children and other high‑need populations and asked that Medicaid explicitly cover counselors and addiction specialists. Provider testimony said Medicaid’s historically low reimbursement for MOUD has made treatment unaffordable for clinics and that higher rates will reduce emergency and acute costs in the long run.

Outcome and next steps

No opposition registered in committee. SB300 proceeds with a reprint that contains the fiscal estimates presented by DHHS; sponsors and DHHS said they will pursue any necessary federal waivers and return with implementation details if the bill advances.

What the bill does not do

The bill does not itself set long‑term rate frameworks beyond the reimbursements described in the fiscal note; DHHS noted federal approval and details will shape the final cost and implementation schedule.