Senate committee advances $60 million plan to recruit specialists, speed licensing
November 14, 2025 | 2025 Legislature NV, Nevada
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Senate Majority Leader Nicole Cannizzaro told the Senate Select Committee on Health and Wellness that Nevada’s persistent shortages of medical specialists require immediate action, and she presented Senate Bill 5 to create a statewide health care access and recruitment grant program funded with $60,000,000 from the state general fund.
The bill combines three goals: (1) a competitive grant program for entities that expand specialty care and establish "centers of medical excellence," (2) expedited pathways for physician licensure and prioritization for applicants who will serve underserved areas or shortage specialties, and (3) deadlines and accountability for hospital privileging decisions. "This is simply unacceptable," Cannizzaro said of Nevada’s provider shortfalls, citing state rankings that place Nevada near the bottom for physicians per capita.
Why it matters: committee members and health care stakeholders told senators that long licensing and privileging timelines, unequal payer mixes and limited rural capacity have forced patients to leave the state for care. Proponents said the $60 million appropriation would be a strategic, one‑time investment to recruit and retain providers and spur partnerships among hospitals, academic centers and community clinics.
Key provisions and implementation details described at the hearing included a requirement that hospitals process at least 95% of complete privilege requests within 60 days once all necessary information is received and a requirement that medical licensing boards adopt prioritization procedures for applicants who will serve shortage areas or specialties. Cannizzaro also previewed a conceptual amendment that increases the Nevada Health Authority’s administrative share from 2% to 3.5% and updates state law to permit pharmacists to administer immunizations in accordance with federal and CDC recommendations effective 01/01/2025.
Supporters at the hearing included representatives from the University of Nevada, City of Hope, the Nevada Osteopathic Medical Association, UNLV’s medical school, Sunrise Health System, Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada, the Nevada Primary Care Association and the Nevada Hospital Association. Testimony emphasized expanding access, protecting Medicaid and other safety‑net payer mixes, and creating a level playing field so both large systems and small or rural providers can participate.
Questions from senators focused on baseline timelines and enforcement. When asked how long hospital privileging currently takes, an agency presenter said she did not have specific turnaround numbers available in the hearing but described planned outreach and education to hospitals to meet the new deadlines. Senator Buck asked how the bill ensures grant‑funded care is delivered in Nevada; the sponsor said the legislative appropriation and award process would ensure investments benefit Nevadans.
Action: In a subsequent work session the committee approved a motion to amend and do pass SB5 by voice vote; the committee assigned the floor statement to Senator Cannizzaro. The work‑session amendment increases the Nevada Health Authority administrative cap to 3.5% and adds authority for the State Board of Health to modify immunization standards or recommendations.
What’s next: SB5 advanced from committee in a work session; the sponsor will file the committee's floor statement. Further technical guidance and implementing regulations will be developed by the Nevada Health Authority and the relevant licensing boards if the bill becomes law.
The bill combines three goals: (1) a competitive grant program for entities that expand specialty care and establish "centers of medical excellence," (2) expedited pathways for physician licensure and prioritization for applicants who will serve underserved areas or shortage specialties, and (3) deadlines and accountability for hospital privileging decisions. "This is simply unacceptable," Cannizzaro said of Nevada’s provider shortfalls, citing state rankings that place Nevada near the bottom for physicians per capita.
Why it matters: committee members and health care stakeholders told senators that long licensing and privileging timelines, unequal payer mixes and limited rural capacity have forced patients to leave the state for care. Proponents said the $60 million appropriation would be a strategic, one‑time investment to recruit and retain providers and spur partnerships among hospitals, academic centers and community clinics.
Key provisions and implementation details described at the hearing included a requirement that hospitals process at least 95% of complete privilege requests within 60 days once all necessary information is received and a requirement that medical licensing boards adopt prioritization procedures for applicants who will serve shortage areas or specialties. Cannizzaro also previewed a conceptual amendment that increases the Nevada Health Authority’s administrative share from 2% to 3.5% and updates state law to permit pharmacists to administer immunizations in accordance with federal and CDC recommendations effective 01/01/2025.
Supporters at the hearing included representatives from the University of Nevada, City of Hope, the Nevada Osteopathic Medical Association, UNLV’s medical school, Sunrise Health System, Comprehensive Cancer Centers of Nevada, the Nevada Primary Care Association and the Nevada Hospital Association. Testimony emphasized expanding access, protecting Medicaid and other safety‑net payer mixes, and creating a level playing field so both large systems and small or rural providers can participate.
Questions from senators focused on baseline timelines and enforcement. When asked how long hospital privileging currently takes, an agency presenter said she did not have specific turnaround numbers available in the hearing but described planned outreach and education to hospitals to meet the new deadlines. Senator Buck asked how the bill ensures grant‑funded care is delivered in Nevada; the sponsor said the legislative appropriation and award process would ensure investments benefit Nevadans.
Action: In a subsequent work session the committee approved a motion to amend and do pass SB5 by voice vote; the committee assigned the floor statement to Senator Cannizzaro. The work‑session amendment increases the Nevada Health Authority administrative cap to 3.5% and adds authority for the State Board of Health to modify immunization standards or recommendations.
What’s next: SB5 advanced from committee in a work session; the sponsor will file the committee's floor statement. Further technical guidance and implementing regulations will be developed by the Nevada Health Authority and the relevant licensing boards if the bill becomes law.
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