SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Hours after the Utah Legislature opens its 2019 session on Monday, concerned supporters of a voter-approved measure to fully expand Medicaid were expected to rally to ask lawmakers not to change the law.
Changes could delay the expected April 1 rollout for months or years, leaving people without health care they have counted on, said Stacy Stanford with the Utah Health Policy Project.
“They’re excited, and they’re desperate,” Stanford said, adding that the rally could draw hundreds of people.
State leaders have said they plan to implement Medicaid expansion, but want to make changes so costs do not spiral out of control.
A proposal by Republican Sen. Allen Christensen of North Ogden would cap enrollment and include a work requirement, changes requiring a potentially lengthy approval process from the federal government.
For expansion supporters, that would “amount to a repeal,” Stanford said. Another bill sponsored by Republican Sen. Jake Anderegg would repeal the measure altogether, though Republican Gov. Gary Herbert shied away from that option while speaking with reporters last week.
Lawmakers have said a sales tax increase included in the ballot measure won’t cover the full cost. Advocates have said it will cover the program for at least two years, and any negotiations about funding could happen after the program is rolled out.
The sales tax increase is expected to generate $90 million that will combine with $800 million in federal money.
Advocates got the issue on the ballot after the GOP-dominated Legislature refused to fully expand Medicaid under President Barack Obama’s signature health care law, citing cost concerns.
The plan approved by voters provides health care coverage to an estimated 150,000 low-income Utah residents.
Utah is one of three Republican-leaning states where full Medicaid expansion won the vote in November after years of resistance from state lawmakers. However, the margin of victory for Proposition 3 was still relatively slim, with 54 percent of eligible voters casting a ballot in favor of the proposition and 46 percent opposed. Those results were almost exactly swapped in the southern part of the state, where voters in both Washington and Iron counties voted to reject the proposition.
Read more: Southern Utah 2018 election results
In Idaho, Republican Gov. Brad Little has also voiced the possibility of a work requirement or work training. In Nebraska, the rollout is on track despite some lingering concern from lawmakers.
Read more: See all St. George News reports and opinions on Utah Legislature 2019 issues
Resources
- Contact legislators
- Bill sponsor: Rep. Norm Thurston.
- Southern Utah Sens. Evan Vickers, Don Ipson, David Hinkins and Ralph Okerlund | Listing of all senators.
- Southern Utah Reps. Travis Seegmiller, Bradley Last, V. Lowry Snow, Walt Brooks, Rex Shipp, Merrill Nelson and Phil Lyman | Listing of all members of the House of Representatives.
Written by LINDSAY WHITEHURST, The Associated Press.
Email: [email protected]
Twitter: @STGnews
Copyright 2019 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
I’m not impressed with the prop 3 supporters or the process that lets a bunch of sheeple pass a ballot initiative without making them specify a way to pay for the results of the proposition. Maybe they “those that voted for prop 3” will happily pay for the cost of the medicaid expansion.
One more thing. This is a great example of democracy at it’s worst. We are a Representative Republic. This vote show’s that a majority decision is sometimes a very poor decision.
A last thought. Prop 3 is no better than Obamacare. It make people that earn money pay for the healthcare of those that don’t make as much money, a redistribution of wealth. Socialism is sneaking into America and all of you that supported PROP 3 ARE PART OF THAT. Think people, this is not the path of liberty.
i was on the fence about prop 3 and ended up not voting on it.