Nevada Medicaid cuts could mean rationing adult diapers, ending other services to the poor

Nev. Medicaid cuts could lead to diaper rationing

CARSON CITY, Nev. — Nevada lawmakers are being told that proposed cuts to the state’s Medicaid program could mean rationing adult diapers and requiring personal care assistants to buy their own disposal gloves

Other services being targeted to help cut $109 million from Medicaid costs include ending so-called “optional services,” including adult vision, hearing and denture programs.

Adult day care programs also would be cut, as well as outpatient programs for people with severe brain trauma.

The proposals were outlined Tuesday in testimony before the Legislature’s Interim Finance Committee.

Lawmakers are holding hearings before a special legislative session Feb. 23, when they will try to agree with Gov. Jim Gibbons on how to close an $881 million budget deficit.