Lawmakers Must Address the Concerns of Nevada’s Aging Population

By: Dan Roberts

With the 2024 election now concluded, voters are eager to see how their newly elected Members of Congress and the incoming administration will address their needs. Many seniors are particularly concerned about how the rising cost of living will affect their long-term care and health coverage as they move through retirement.

For senior residents in Nevada, pocketbook economic issues are a top concern looking ahead to the future. An AARP poll found that 85% of Nevada voters aged 50+ were extremely motivated to vote this year, a staggeringly high interest driven by a deep concern about rising personal costs. When the cost of living is high, seniors often prioritize immediate basic needs over expensive health care costs. Thankfully, programs like Medicare Advantage allow our aging population to prioritize both.

Medicare Advantage is a program that provides comprehensive health plans with affordable – and oftentimes zero-dollar – premiums and caps on out-of-pocket costs, ensuring seniors from all backgrounds can access care. For the nearly half of Nevadan Medicare beneficiaries who are enrolled in Medicare Advantage plans, health care coverage is a critical issue. As populations in Nevada age at rates higher than the national average, this demographic is only growing. The security and relief that Medicare Advantage brings to our seniors is immeasurable. That’s why it’s important for candidates to protect comprehensive health care plans such as Medicare Advantage.

Nevada is also a major retirement destination. According to a 2024 survey, Henderson, NV ranked third among the top five cities where retirees are moving within the US. As the publisher and editor of The Vegas Voice, the largest and most-read senior publication in Nevada, I am acutely aware of the influx of retirees into our city. However, it’s important to note the positive impact that MA has beyond the more urban centers of the state. For our readers in rural Nevada, the benefits of MA are paramount.

Research shows that rural areas usually have larger aging populations. However, these areas also historically lack access to critical services for older adults. Sometimes, the closest hospital is several hours from Nevada’s rural areas. Medicare Advantage plans offer transportation to doctors’ appointments and prescription drug deliveries, lifting a significant burden off seniors who would otherwise have to make these long drives themselves.

In this year’s election, seniors across the state turned out to vote. Now, they’re hoping the incoming class of lawmakers are willing to protect their access to health care. Whether it’s defending Medicare Advantage or mapping out plans to address the rising cost of senior living, Nevada’s leaders need to take a stand for seniors.

By advocating for policies that matter to the ever-crucial Nevada senior population and ensuring access to the vital benefits that Medicare Advantage provides, our leaders can make tangible change in the communities they champion.

Dan Roberts is the Publisher and Editor of The Vegas Voice, the largest “Age 50+” monthly publication in Nevada.