Nevada ranks second in the nation for forgone health care due to cost

Nevada has the second-highest rate in the nation of adults who report forgoing needed health care because of cost, according to a new analysis from the State Health Access Data Assistance Center (SHADAC). In 2024, 16.7% of Nevada adults said they did not receive needed medical care due to affordability concerns—well above the national average of 12.4%.

For Nevada’s cancer control community, this finding is more than a health care affordability statistic. It is a warning sign that financial barriers may be preventing residents from accessing cancer screenings, diagnostic services, treatment, and survivorship care.

Early detection remains one of the most effective tools for reducing cancer deaths. Screenings can identify cancers before symptoms develop, when treatment is often more successful and less costly. However, when individuals delay or avoid medical care because of cost, opportunities for early diagnosis can be missed. Financial barriers may also discourage people from seeking care when they notice concerning symptoms, potentially leading to later-stage diagnoses and poorer outcomes.

43.3% of uninsured adults skipped needed healthcare because of cost in 2024.

Nevada’s ranking highlights a significant challenge for public health efforts across the state. While insurance coverage plays an important role in access to care, affordability concerns can affect both insured and uninsured individuals. Out-of-pocket costs, deductibles, copayments, transportation expenses, and lost wages associated with medical appointments can all contribute to decisions to postpone or avoid care.

The SHADAC analysis found that cost-related forgone care is especially common among uninsured adults, with 43.3% reporting they skipped needed care because of cost in 2024. Individuals enrolled in Medicaid also experienced higher rates of forgone care than those with employer-sponsored insurance or Medicare coverage. The report further found that adults living with chronic conditions were more likely to forgo care than those without chronic diseases.

These findings are particularly relevant for cancer survivors and individuals at elevated risk for cancer. Ongoing access to health care is essential not only for screening and early detection but also for follow-up care, treatment monitoring, management of treatment-related side effects, and long-term survivorship support.

Nevada’s high rate of forgone care underscores the importance of the goals outlined in the Nevada Cancer Plan 2026–2030, particularly strategies focused on improving access to care, reducing health disparities, increasing participation in recommended cancer screenings, and supporting cancer survivors throughout the cancer continuum. Financial barriers can undermine progress across each of these priority areas.

Addressing the challenge will require continued efforts to connect Nevadans with affordable preventive services, patient navigation programs, insurance enrollment assistance, and resources that reduce the financial burden associated with seeking care. Public health agencies, health care providers, community organizations, and policymakers all have a role to play in ensuring that cost does not become a barrier to potentially lifesaving cancer prevention and treatment services.

Nevada’s ranking as second in the nation for cost-related forgone care is a stark reminder that access to health care remains a critical cancer control issue. Reducing financial barriers to care can help ensure that more Nevadans receive timely screenings, earlier diagnoses, and the treatment and support they need to achieve better health outcomes.