{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://kihuen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=160", "REPS. KIHUEN, ROSEN CO-SPONSOR STATE PUBLIC OPTION ACT", "2017-10-25", "2017", "2017-10", "Democrat", "House", "NV", "Ruben Kihuen", "K000390", "kihuen.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\r\nOctober 25, 2017\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0  \r\nContact: Miguel R. Salazar,\u00a0202-225-9894 (Kihuen)  \r\nIvana Brancaccio, 202-225-3252 (Rosen)\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\r\n\r\nWASHINGTON, D.C\u00a0\u00a0\u2013 Today, Congressman Ruben J. Kihuen signed on as an original co-sponsor of the State Public Option Act introduced in Congress by Representative Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (D-NM) and Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI). Rep. Kihuen is joined by Nevada colleagues Rep. Jacky Rosen (NV-03) and Assemblyman Michael Sprinkle in offering support for the State Public Option Act which would give states the option to allow all residents to buy into the state Medicaid program through their state\u2019s exchange.\r\n\u201cNevada\u2019s health care system ranks among the worst in the country in terms of cost and access, leaving countless Nevadans hanging out to dry when it comes to getting reliable and affordable health care coverage. That is why today, I am pleased to join my colleagues in Congress, Representative Ben Ray Luj\u00e1n (D-NM) and Senator Brian Schatz (D-HI) in introducing the State Public Option Act, which would establish a Medicaid public option to provide an affordable, high-quality health insurance option to hardworking families across the country. I am thrilled to have the opportunity to continue working to find ways to improve Nevada\u2019s health care system and ensure that all Nevadans have access to quality and affordable health care coverage,\u201d Rep. Kihuen said.\r\n\u201cGiving individuals a public health insurance buy-in option is one of the best ways we can improve our health care system for all Nevadans, no matter your zip code,\u201d said Rosen. \u201cThe ability to access quality health care should be a fundamental right, not a privilege for the wealthiest among us. Increasing choice and competition through a Medicaid buy-in program would ensure that all families have access to health care they know they can rely on. I have been vocal about the need for a public option to improve the progress we\u2019ve made under the Affordable Care Act, and I will work with anyone in Congress to keep putting forward smart ideas that move us towards that goal and make health care more accessible and more affordable for every Nevadan,\u201d Rep. Rosen said.\r\nAssemblyman Michael C. Sprinkle said, \u201cHealth care is a right, not just a product or a privilege for the wealthy. Earlier this year, I set out to secure quality and affordable health care access for every Nevadan by introducing a plan to create a first of its kind state-level Medicaid buy-in program. While I am disappointed that \u2018Sprinklecare\u2019 did not become law this past session, our effort in Nevada was a reminder that states are incubators for innovative and forward-thinking policy ideas that can improve people's lives. I am incredibly proud to see Nevada's Democrats in Congress help lift this plan to create a Medicaid buy-in program to the national level, and I hope to see this effort succeed.\u201d\r\nBackground:\r\nThe State Public Option Act would give states the option to allow (but would not require) all state residents that are not concurrently enrolled in another insurance plan to buy into the state Medicaid program through their state\u2019s Exchange. States could charge premiums, copays, and deductibles for the plans based on current Affordable Care Act (ACA) standards. Individuals would be able to use their ACA tax credits to help cover the costs. If they do not have tax credits, the cost could not exceed 9.5% of the family income. The plans offered must be robust and cover the ACA\u2019s 10 Essential Health Benefits.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://kihuen.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=160"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 1.3516549952328205, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}