Policy

NCC’s policy work focuses on organization and community-level policies along with state and federal policy. Our work supports policies that promote health, reduce the burden of cancer, and ensure equitable access to healthcare for Nevadans.

Many of NCC’s policy objectives stem from the work of its collaboratives, align with objectives and strategies as detailed in Nevada’s Cancer Control Plan, and support additional cancer control efforts as needed.

Current Policy Opportunities

Improving prevention through HPV vaccination, school wellness policies, food access, built environment and community design, tobacco prevention and 100% clean indoor air.
Insurance coverage for genetic testing and counseling services.
Improved access to cancer early detection including insurance coverage for all recommended screening modalities with no cost-sharing.
Reducing time from diagnosis to treatment, including reducing delays caused by insurers.
Increasing Nevada's healthcare workforce and educational pipeline.
Improving reimbursement for patient navigation across the cancer continuum.
Expanding data collection to capture more comprehensive patient and treatment data, such as sexual orientation and gender identity and clinical trials participation.
Increasing funding for cancer control.

Contact: Cari Herington, Executive Director

Accomplishments:

In 2025:

SB 170 Provided access to annual health screenings, including cancer screenings, for firefighters and other first responders.
SB 189 Provided for the licensure and regulation of genetic counselors.
SB 312 Established the Tribal Health Authority Council to adopt a plan to address and eliminate barriers to healthcare for Native Americans in the state.
SB 387 Required state-regulated insurers to cover lung cancer screening.
AB 234 Protected Medicaid coverage for screening for lung, prostate, and colorectal cancers.
AB 428 Required state-regulated insurers to cover fertility preservation for individuals diagnosed with breast or ovarian cancer.

In 2023:

SB 330 increased access to breast cancer imaging for all Nevadans covered by private health insurance, including breast ultrasound and breast MRI, and including for secondary and supplemental screening.
Supported: AB 155 requires insurers to cover biomarker testing.
Supported: SB 118 increased funding for public health.
Supported: SB 194 allows practitioners to apply for exemptions to step therapy protocols and receive exemptions.

In 2021:

SB 460 restored funding for essential work to prevent youth vaping.
AB 187 designated the month of September as “Ovarian and Prostate Cancer Prevention and Awareness Month.”
AB 471 clarified reporters to the Nevada Central Cancer Registry and established consistent funding to the program.
AB 191 included in Medicaid coverage for the services of community health workers.

In 2019:

SB 159, deemed the Sun Smart Bill, requires all schools to adopt written policy concerning safe exposure to the sun and outlines provisions required within the policy.
SB 315 created the Rare Disease Advisory Council to raise awareness of childhood cancer and other rare diseases.
AB 170 codified insurance coverage protections for individuals with pre-existing conditions or other health status factors.
SB 482 allowed for reciprocal licensure for health plan carriers already licensed in neighboring states to ensure essential insurance is available to Nevadans.
SCR 10, a Senate resolution, directed the Legislative Commission to study the feasibility, viability, and design of a public health insurance plan available to all Nevada residents.

In 2017:

AB 214 established a program to increase participation by certain demographic groups in clinical trials.
AB 245 increased access to biosimilars.
AB 388 made a $500,000 per year appropriation to Women's Health Connection to increase breast and cervical cancer screening.
AB 136 created the State of Nevada Advisory Council on Palliative Care and Quality of Life.