What’s This Bill All About?
Senate Bill 352 would make major changes to how healthcare is regulated in Nevada. Currently, laws prohibit discrimination in healthcare based on gender identity or expression. This new bill goes much further by expanding “protected characteristics” to include race, color, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, disability and more detailed definitions of sex characteristics.
Let’s look at what the bill actually says:
Section 1 states:
“An insurer that issues a policy of health insurance shall not discriminate against any person with respect to participation or coverage under the policy on the basis of an actual or perceived protected characteristic.”
The bill defines “protected characteristic” as:
“(a) Race, color, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation or gender identity or expression; or (b) Sex, including, without limitation, sex characteristics, intersex traits and pregnancy or related conditions.”
Why Should Conservatives Care?
This bill represents serious government overreach. Nevada already has laws prohibiting actual discrimination in healthcare. This bill expands government control over medical decisions that should remain between patients and their doctors.
Currently, 24 states plus D.C. prohibit transgender exclusions in health insurance service coverage, while 25 states have no law providing LGBTQ inclusive insurance protections. Conservative states have generally avoided these types of mandates because they increase costs and limit freedom.
The Hidden Costs: Unfunded Mandates
Right at the top of SB352, the bill clearly states: “CONTAINS UNFUNDED MANDATE (§ 2 & NRS 287.010) (NOT REQUESTED BY AFFECTED LOCAL GOVERNMENT).” This means the state is ordering local governments to implement these new healthcare rules without providing any funding to cover the costs.
Section 2 forces local governments to update their employee insurance plans to include all the new “protected characteristics” – potentially covering more procedures and treatments than before. This affects cities, counties, and other local agencies that provide health insurance to their employees.
Section 10 essentially admits this problem, noting:
“The provisions of NRS 354.599 do not apply to any additional expenses of a local government that are related to the provisions of this act.”
In plain English, Carson City politicians are pushing costs onto local communities without their consent.
Who pays these hidden costs? You do – through higher local taxes or cuts to other important community services. This is exactly the kind of government overreach that conservatives have long warned against.
What Critics Say About These Laws
Critics of bills like SB352 argue they go beyond preventing discrimination and instead force medical providers to offer services that might contradict their professional judgment or religious beliefs.
When the Trump administration reversed similar federal regulations, they stated the changes were needed to “address legal concerns,” reduce costs and regulatory burden, and reduce confusion.
How This Affects Nevada
If SB352 passes and is signed into law, the changes would take effect January 1, 2026. It would impact all health insurers, healthcare providers, and even taxpayer-funded Medicaid in Nevada.
The bill would allow health licensing boards to “adopt regulations prescribing the specific types of discrimination prohibited” and to “discipline a provider of health care who violates” these new rules.
Make Your Voice Heard
The hearing is Friday, April 25th at 12 noon. Here’s how you can speak up:
- Attend in person:
- Carson City: Nevada Legislative Building, Room 4100
- Las Vegas: Video-conferenced to Room 1, Nevada Legislature Hearing Rooms, 7120 Amigo St.
- Call in your comments: Dial (888) 475-4499, enter Meeting ID 89246411903, press # for Participant ID. Press *9 to enter the queue and *6 to unmute when it’s your turn. You’ll have 2 minutes to speak.
- Submit written testimony: Send a PDF to AsmCL@asm.state.nv.us by Friday morning.
- Contact committee members: The Republicans especially need your support to vote NO.
Their emails are: lisa.cole@asm.state.nv.us, Melissa.Hardy@asm.state.nv.us, Heidi.Kasama@asm.state.nv.us, PK.Oneill@asm.state.nv.us, Toby.Yurek@asm.state.nv.us
What You Can Say
A simple message is best:
“Please vote NO on SB352. We already have laws prohibiting discrimination in healthcare. This bill imposes costly mandates and threatens medical freedom by expanding government control over healthcare decisions.”
What Happens Next?
If conservatives don’t speak up, bills like SB352 will continue to expand government control over our healthcare system. Other states with similar laws have seen rising insurance costs and fewer healthcare options as providers leave or limit services.
The time to act is NOW – before tomorrow’s hearing! Let your voice be heard in defense of limited government and healthcare freedom!
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
