Health Insurance Coverage
On December 11, 2012, Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval accepted the Medicaid expansion plan under the Affordable Care Act. He was the first Republican state leader do so. In support of the Governor’s ground breaking decision The Lincy Institute will continue to explore the impact of the Medicaid expansion and advocate for revisions in policies that impede health care services in this region.
Southern Nevada Dashboard
In November 2011, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the recipients of the 2011 Sustainable Communities Grants. HUD awarded the City of Henderson, Department of Community Development and Services, $3,488,000 on behalf of the Southern Nevada Regional Planning Coalition (SNRPC). SNRPC serves as the strategic planning authority for local governments in the greater Las Vegas metropolitan area. The goal of the Sustainable Communities grant program is to help communities and regions improve their economic competitiveness by connecting housing with good jobs, quality schools and transportation.
This effort will include creating a comprehensive picture of the assets and liabilities that contribute to the health of Southern Nevada residents. Findings will produce a regional dashboard that will be utilized by the SNRPC to measure the progress of the Sustainable Communities Grant program in Southern Nevada. The Lincy Institute will participate as a member of the work group responsible for the identification of health determinants, locate available data sources, and synthesize the data into a public report.
Healthy Communities
The Federal Reserve System and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation partnered to create the Healthy Communities Initiative and in 2012, brought the opportunity to Southern Nevada. The Healthy Communities Initiative united both public and private stakeholders, including The Lincy Institute, to establish the Las Vegas Healthy Communities Coalition. The Coalition is in the process of creating a new vision for Las Vegas. The Institute will contribute data and research resources to the emerging plan. Learn more about the Las Vegas Healthy Communities Conference held on January 19, 2012.
Realizing the Health and Medical Services Sector of Southern Nevada
The Brookings Institution / SRI international report "Unify Regionalize Diversify: An Economic Development Agenda for Nevada," recognized the health and medical services sector as one of the greatest economic opportunities for Southern Nevada. The Lincy Institute Health Programs division identified best practices that can be used to expand health care services and sustain healthy communities throughout Southern Nevada. Additionally, the Lincy Institute collaborated with public and private sectors to identify opportunities for research; develop and expand health care education programs; and advocate for policies that support access and quality health care in Southern Nevada.
Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) Programs at UNLV
The Lincy Institute supports the university’s commitment to increase participation in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) disciplines and to produce graduates with the skills and knowledge required to expand Nevada’s STEM-capable workforce. The Institute endorses the belief that STEM education will fuel the pipeline for future health professionals in this region. In partnership with the Office of Diversity Initiatives at UNLV, The Lincy Institute will serve as a link between the university and the community to increase collaborative research and help to identify potential funding opportunities that support STEM education.