Dive Brief:
- With nearly 70,000 residents in the coverage gap, Utah legislatures are working on various plans to expand Medicaid coverage.
- There are several bills being proposed, some advocating coverage for all residents while others focus on specific populations below the federal poverty level.
- The final decision rests with Utah Governor Gary Herbert. His "Healthy Utah" plan didn't win enough votes last year to pass, but he remains optimistic there will be a solution.
Dive Insight:
Utah lawmakers are proposing various Medicaid expansion solutions. Rep. Ray Ward (R-Bountiful) is backing a bill (H.B. 18) which will provide health coverage for those in the coverage gap, up to 138% of the federal poverty level (FPL) via waivers, footing the bill with hospital assessments and a new tax on e-cigarettes.
Senate Minority Leader Gene Davis (D-Salt Lake City) wants healthcare for all state residents and is backing his own bill (S.B. 77), saying he won't vote for anything that discriminates against anyone.
Rep. Robert Spendlove (R-Sandy) is proposing to extend coverage for those up to 100 percent of the FPL, and would seek full government reimbursement requiring a waiver. However, full reimbursement has been offered only to states that expand to 138% of the FPL, as deemed by the ACA. Spendlove is also considering a work requirement, which federal officials have already refused to consider.
Senator Allen Christensen (R-North Ogden) has been opposed to Medicaid expansion due to financial concerns and backs a plan to extend traditional Medicaid benefits only to those below the poverty level.
Rep. Jim Dunnigan (R-Taylorsville) has a bill proposing to insure a limited number of residents based on what the state can afford. Coverage would be based on income levels and include mostly homeless, single parents, the "poorest of the poor," he said. Since the plan would extend an existing Medicaid program, the federal government would not need to approve it.
Rep. Rebecca Chavez-Houck (D-Salt Lake City) expressed disappointment the lawmakers can't agree on a Medicaid expansion plan and points to political agendas as part of the reason. She blames Republican colleagues who are more focused on proving Medicaid expansion is wrong instead of helping those in the coverage gap.
Governor Herbert said a solution is needed and that "something is better than nothing."