Nevada could become the first state in the United States. to allow all residents to buy into the Medicaid program, no matter what their income level. The state's legislature passed the bill earlier this month, but the final decision rests with Republican governor Brian Sandoval, who has the power to veto or approve the bill.  

Under the terms of the new legislation, all Nevadans will have access to Medicaid, which is currently only available to poor and disabled patients. Officials have yet to release details about the cost of the new Medicaid coverage program, but it is likely to provide a cheaper option to traditional health insurance, as Medicaid pays doctors less than the majority of insurance plans and has lower prescription drug prices. 

Last year, the American Healthcare Rankings report by the United Health Foundation found Nevada was the 35^th healthiest state in the country, highlighting the high percentage of the population without health coverage as one of the main health challenges in the state. At present, figures show 11 percent of patients in Nevada are without any health insurance. However, this issue may be set to change if the legislation is passed, with all patients in Nevada offered a chance to buy Medicaid starting on January 1^st 2019. 

Assemblyman Mike Sprinkle, the Democrat sponsor of the bill, explained Medicaid is one of the healthcare packages that people are "highly pleased with" and that the bill was meant to mirror this. As of March 2017, Medicaid provided coverage to 69 million Americans. Those eligible for cover include low-income adults, children, pregnant women, elderly adults, and people with disabilities. It is administered by individual states in accordance with federal guidelines, with funding coming from both the states and the federal government. 

Nevada has a population of 2.9 million, of which 600,000 currently use Medicaid. However, Sprinkle estimated an additional 300,000 Nevadans may enroll in the scheme should the legislation pass. "If the expansion goes away, I really think this is going to be a viable option for those who lose coverage," he stated.  

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Update: 16/06/2017: This bill was vetoed by Governor Sandoval, who suggested the bill could be "critical" in forming future health policy, but said in its current form it would bring "more uncertainty to an industry that needs less".