Report on women’s health gives Nevada low marks
RENO -- Another national health survey gives Nevada low marks, this time in terms of women's health.
The National Report Card on Women's Health ranked all 50 states and the District of Columbia using health indicators such as access to insurance, prenatal care and health screenings.
The study by the National Women's Law Center and Oregon Health and Science University ranked Nevada 39th, which the study characterized as "unsatisfactory."
Access to health insurance is a key issue for the Silver State, said Judy Waxman, vice president of health and reproductive rights for the Law Center. Nevada's rate of uninsured women is 20.4 percent, higher than the nationwide rate of 18 percent. Nevada is ranked 42nd in the nation for women without insurance, according to the survey.
Contributing to Nevada's insurance woes are eligibility requirements for its Medicaid program, Waxman said. On average, the program covers parents with incomes of only about $14,000 per year. The national poverty level for a family of four is $20,444.
Nevada does have a high number of uninsured, particularly working families below 200 percent of poverty, said Charles Duarte, administrator for the Division of Health Care Financing and Policy, which oversees the state's Medicaid program.
The report also ranked Nevada 48th for access to prenatal care within the first trimester and last for colorectal screenings. Nevada's best ranking was sixth place for obesity.
