• Improve access to primary health care services for Nevada’s underserved;
• Increase availability of primary care providers in underserved areas;
• Increase access to maternal and child health care service for underserved populations; and
• Improve provider access to health care financing resources.

The PCO is funded by federal grants from the Health Resources Services Administration (HRSA) to support multiple programs through the following services: 

• Complete applications for federal designation of Health Professional Shortage Areas (HPSAs) or Medically Underserved Areas or Populations (MUA/Ps).  These designations support eligibility for increased federal funding and recruitment of medical professionals;

• Review applications and provide letters of support for J-1 Physician Visa Waiver program to bring foreign-trained physicians to underserved areas in Nevada;

• Review site applications and provide recommendations for the National Health Services Corp loan repayment and scholar placement programs.

• Administer the Nevada Health Access Program (NHAP) grant to provide insurance coverage or discounted health care to uninsured, low income Nevadans between the ages of 55 and 64.

The Primary Care Advisory Council (PCAC) was established in 2008 to enhance oversight of the PCO and the services provided, in an advisory capacity to the Nevada State Health Division Administrator.  Creation of the PCAC led to statutory and regulatory changes to ensure compliance with the J-1 Physician Visa Waiver program.  Background on these changes is provided in an issue paper from the National Association of Community Health Centers.  The statutory changes are contained in Nevada Revised Statutes (NRS) 439A.130 – 439A.185 which include a requirement for the Health Division to establish regulations pending under LCB File No. R138-10.

The Primary Care Work Group has been reactivated to establish priorities for strategic planning for designation of shortage areas, underserved areas or underserved populations.  Participants include representatives from the following organizations: Nevada Office of Rural Health, 3RNet, Great Basin Primary Care Association, Nevada Health Centers, Health Access Washoe County (HAWC), Access to Healthcare Network, Nevada State Board of Medical Examiners, Nevada Division of Health Care Financing and Policy, and Nevada Rural Clinics.