Las Vegas NowNevadans Suffer From Lack of Health Insurance

Nevadans Suffer From Lack of Health Insurance

Nearly one in five Nevada workers have no health insurance. That's according to a new study released Tuesday.

The figures are from 2006 and 2007. Nevada's figure of 19.8 percent is a little higher than the national average of 18.4 percent.

Premiums for employer plans are rising six to eight times faster than wages. As Nevada's unemployment rate continues to rise, more displaced workers and their families lose their health insurance and most people who lose their jobs can not afford costly COBRA or private insurance and they don't qualify for free government health care because they're not indigent.

A growing number of uninsured Nevadans are now turning to Nevada Health Centers to get the needed medical and dental care they used to receive through their employer-based health care plans.

The family practice clinic near Eastern and Sahara treats more than 150 patients every day. It is just one of 20 Nevada Health Center sites in Clark County that accepts sliding-scale fees based on your income and family size. Patients pay what they can afford. It can be as little as $20 per visit and $10 per lab test. But the non-profit organization's chief operating officer says no one will be turned away even if they cannot afford to pay anything on the day of their visit.

"We're seeing more and more people out there feeling that sense of hopelessness and we want them to know there is help out there for them. We are here and there are other non-profits that are here to help," said Michelle Agnew, Nevada Health Centers.

The centers offer a full range of health services, including pediatrics, OB-GYN, family practice and even dental services.