The Nevada Senate approved Senate Bill 5 by a 15–6 vote after floor debate over whether the grant program could fund entities that provide abortion-related services. The bill establishes a $60,000,000 grant program intended to build health-care infrastructure, bring specialists to Nevada, and streamline licensure and accreditation to expand access to care.

Senator Cannizzaro, speaking in support, said the program "sets up a grant program, $60,000,000, that will allow for this state to work towards building out the healthcare infrastructure to bring in specialists" and stressed access to services such as cancer screenings, birth control and STI testing. She framed the measure as necessary to address provider shortages and to keep patients in-state for care.

Senator Hansen asked whether the bill "does this allow some possibility of funding Planned Parenthood or any other ... private agency that provides abortion services," and later stated, "if I support this bill, I am offering up to a million dollars of taxpayer funding for abortions." Senator Titus also rose in opposition, citing concerns about a paragraph in the bill (referred to on the floor as section g on page 10) that he said was not widely reviewed before suspension of rules; he stated, "I'm going to have to be a no on this bill." Supporters replied that the relevant language allows grants for a broad array of provider services and noted the small percentage in question.

On second reading the Senate had adopted Committee Amendment No. 2, which increases the percentage the Nevada Health Authority may use for administrative program costs to not more than 33.5%. On the floor Senator Cannizzaro said the bill also authorizes that up to 2% (a figure she characterized as "just over $1,000,000") may be available for certain uses under the program; opponents tied that 2% to concerns about funding reproductive health providers. After debate the Secretary opened and closed the roll; yeas were 15 and nays were 6. The bill received the constitutional majority and was declared passed and ordered to the Assembly.

The Senate debate focused on eligibility and allowable uses for grant funds. The floor record shows proponents emphasized expanded access to a wide range of preventive and specialty care; opponents raised a specific concern that some grant dollars could be applied to providers that also provide abortion services. The engrossed bill and committee files should be consulted for the final list of eligible grantees and the precise breakdown of administrative and program percentages.