Commentary: Author Argues Nevada Tax Policy Shifts Medicaid Cuts' Burden to Working Families
In a Nevada Current commentary, the author argues that federal tax cuts paired with Medicaid reductions are leaving Nevada's working families to absorb rising healthcare costs while wealthy residents and corporations benefit from a regressive state tax structure. The piece cites projections that 31,000 Nevada Medicaid enrollees will lose coverage over the next three years, $100 million in lost hospital revenue, and Henderson Hospital's recent NICU closure, alongside a 17% premium increase for ACA marketplace plans. The author contrasts Governor Joe Lombardo's "no new taxes" campaign pledge with Nevada's tax incidence data showing low-income families pay 11.9% of income in state and local taxes versus 2.8% for the wealthiest 1%. The commentary calls on state lawmakers to close corporate and wealthy-resident tax loopholes to fund healthcare and education ahead of the next legislative session.