State voiding lawmaker Michele Fiore’s health care license

By Michelle Rindels, Associated Press

Published Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015 | 3:04 p.m.

Updated Tuesday, Nov. 3, 2015 | 10:30 p.m.

CARSON CITY — Nevada officials are voiding Republican Assemblywoman Michele Fiore's license to operate a home health care business after state inspectors say they were unable to contact her, although Fiore says her decision to close the business came before the state's cancellation move.

Officials with the state Bureau of Health Care Quality and Compliance said they stopped by Fiore's Las Vegas-based business, Always There 4 You, on Tuesday and found another business setting up shop there. They said the business appeared dark when they visited in September, although no notification on the premises explained why. They also said Fiore didn't respond to a phone call or to a certified letter in October inquiring about the business's status.

The state's action was first reported by Nevada political journalist Jon Ralston.

Fiore issued a statement late Tuesday saying she formally shut down the business last week on her own volition. "The never-ending barrage of government red tape and regulations has made being in business not worth being in business," she wrote.

State officials say they conduct unannounced inspections every 18 months to ensure health care businesses are complying with the law, but they said they've been unable to check in on Fiore's operation several times since 2013.

State officials recently warned Fiore that her license could be revoked after she and her mother turned away inspectors who were conducting unannounced visits.

Fiore told The Associated Press in July that she couldn't receive the visitors on one occasion this summer because she was still in Carson City and on the second occasion because she needed to take her mother to the doctor. She said at the time that she had a productive meeting with health department officials and was prepared to welcome inspectors in the future with coffee and doughnuts.

Fiore was first elected to the state Legislature in 2012 and is an outspoken advocate for expanding gun rights. She unveiled a calendar Monday featuring glamour shots of her holding a range of firearms, and she said the proceeds will go toward state-level races.

Fiore filed initial paperwork with the Federal Election Commission on Friday to run for Nevada's 3rd Congressional District seat, although she said Monday that she's still exploring the possibility of a run and planned to announce her intentions in coming weeks. Candidates don't have to file until March to appear on the Nevada ballot.

Four other Republicans have already jumped into the race.