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Committee hears bill to license genetic counselors in Nevada to expand reimbursement and patient protections
Summary
SB189 would create a state licensure for genetic counselors under the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners; supporters said licensure will improve access, ensure credentialing for reimbursement, and protect patients from untrained providers; numerous medical groups and patients testified in support.
Lawmakers heard Senate Bill 189, which would establish a state licensure for genetic counselors and place the profession under the jurisdiction of the Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners.
Sponsor Roberta Lang described the measure as intended to ensure Nevadans have “access to high quality and safe genetic counseling services” and to align Nevada with other states that already license genetic counselors. Samantha Barnes (presented as director of legislative affairs and operations for Carera Nevada during testimony) and other proponents said the lack of licensure in Nevada is creating reimbursement problems: some insurers were denying claims for board-certified genetic counselors because the state does not have a title-based license for the profession while reimbursing other providers for similar services.
Medical witnesses described clinical uses and patient impacts. Dr. Rupesh Parikh, a medical oncologist at Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada, told the committee that genetic counselors support patients and families in assessing inherited cancer risk and said the counselors’ training and certification matter for interpreting complex test results. Sarah Piersadeh Miller, president of the National Society of Genetic Counselors and a 20-year clinical genetic counselor, and a number of in-state counselors and healthcare organizations (including Renown Health and the Nevada State Medical Association) testified in favor.
Several patients and clinicians described how licensure could improve access and care. Witness Jean Ann Hollihan recounted multiple cancer diagnoses and the role genetic testing played in family care decisions. Supporters said the bill is not intended to create a new insurance mandate; sponsors said it simply provides a licensure pathway so certified, master’s‑level counselors are recognized as credentialed providers and can receive reimbursement.
No formal vote was recorded in committee; advocates asked lawmakers to advance the bill to put Nevada in line with the majority of states that already license genetic counselors.
Ending: Sponsors and medical groups urged the committee to advance the bill to improve access and streamline reimbursement for certified genetic counselors.
