Nevada Medicaid is preparing for major federal changes under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, with new rules beginning January 1, 2027.

For some Medicaid members ages 19–64, coverage will require documenting 80 hours each month of work, school, job training, volunteering, or a combination of these activities. Medicaid renewals will also move from once a year to every six months.

Many Nevadans will be excluded or exempt, including pregnant people, seniors, people with disabilities, and parents of children age 13 and younger. Nevada also plans hardship exemptions for circumstances such as hospitalization, natural disasters, long travel for medical care, and living in a high-unemployment county.

Still, even when people qualify, more frequent paperwork and eligibility checks can create barriers to care. A missed notice, a confusing form, or difficulty documenting work should never mean losing access to a doctor, medication, mental-health treatment, or preventive care.

Nevada Medicaid serves more than 759,000 people. This is about more than a government program—it is about whether children, families, neighbors with disabilities, and people facing illness can get the care they need.

LEAN will continue to follow implementation, advocate for accessible exemptions and clear communication, and urge policymakers to protect health care for all Nevadans.

Read the story from 2 News Nevada.