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New cuts to Medicaid will have dramatic local impact

Northern Nevada HOPES on East 4th Street.
Bert Johnson
/
KUNR
The Northern Nevada HOPES clinic on East 4th Street, photographed on Jan. 31, 2025.

Correction; An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated, The clinic could also see staff reductions. Tushbant said they may have to adjust their staffing ratio.

Malynda Tushbant, a medical director and physician assistant at Northern Nevada HOPES said most patients she sees are unable to work. And fears what could happen to them with the new requirements. “Things that I can do as a primary care provider at low cost interventions would then turn into very high cost treatments,” Tushbant said.

The non-profit clinic is designed to serve people below the poverty line. They provide health care to more than 22,000 people per year. And 38% are on Medicaid.

However, in addition to impacts to their patients, Northern Nevada HOPES said people won’t be able to see their primary provider due to their lack of coverage.

Ally Ibarra is a student, intern reporter at KUNR and a freshman majoring in Journalism at the University of Nevada, Reno.