Senator briefed on state health concerns

Dan Kulin

Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2004 | 9:09 a.m.

The Southern Nevadans without health insurance are such a diverse population -- including young adults who feel invincible and older workers who cannot afford it -- that there isn't just one way to get them all insured, local health industry representatives told Sen. John Ensign, R-Nev., Tuesday.

Ensign, a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, said he expects getting the uninsured insured will be a big issue in the coming presidential campaign and in congress this year. His meeting Tuesday with local representatives from insurance companies, hospital officials, health profession groups, and others, was held so the senator could get a better understanding of the problem, which is worse in Nevada than many other states.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau figures cited by Ensign's office, 17.5 percent of Nevadans are uninsured, the fifth highest percentage in the nation. Also, Nevada's 1.5 percent increase of uninsured residents was higher than all the other states except North Carolina.

There was general agreement that the uninsured population is a diverse group, which makes it unlikely there is just one solution that would adequately address the problem.

Marcia Holmberg, assistant administrator, intergovernmental relations at University Medical Center, said some young adults don't have health insurance because they don't feel they need it. She called them "the young invincibles" and said that while they are generally healthy, they still need medical care for such things as car accidents.

Holmberg also said that some people who lost their jobs due to the economic troubles after the Sept. 11, 2001 terrorist attacks can't afford health insurance but have too many assets to qualify for government programs.

Deon Dorsey, with John Alden Life, said some workers in group health insurance plans can afford insurance for themselves but no their dependants, because the employee's premium is subsidized in part by their employer, while the costs for dependants is not.

Dr.Carl Heard with Nevada Health Centers said other workers barely make enough to live on and don't have enough to pay for health insurance too.

Marie Soldo with Sierra Health Services said there is a definite need for subsidies for those who cannot afford health insurance for their children.

"There is a population that needs subsidies. A population that needs a lift," Soldo said.

But, she added: "There isn't one plan that fits all. There isn't a cookie cutter approach."

Heard also said some workers are uninsured because they are new to their jobs and still within a grace period during which insurance isn't offered.

Bill Bible with the Nevada Resort Association said there also needs to be more education for employers about the tax incentives available to encourage employers to help their employees pay for insurance.

Dorsey said most small businesses "have no clue" there are tax breaks available for paying on an employees health insurance.

After the roughly 75 minute discussion Ensign said a solution to this problem will have to be found by looking at each segment of the uninsured population separately.

"The challenges are huge," Ensign said.