The "Healthy Utah Plan" would seek a state innovations waiver allowing the state to use a block grant to support the three-year pilot program. The plan would establish funds to provide help to Utahans who make under $15,500 per year to pay for health insurance in private markets. The exact amount of assistance will depend on ability to work, household income, access to employer or family health insurance, and individual health care needs (Utah.gov).
The most recent data were collected in Gallup's annual Health and Healthcare poll, conducted Nov. 7-10. The percentage of U.S. adults who said it is the federal government's responsibility to ensure all Americans have healthcare coverage peaked at 69% in 2006. Attitudes began to shift significantly in 2007 and continued to change through the time President Barack Obama took office in 2009. Americans who feel healthcare coverage is not the federal government's responsibility have been in the clear majority the past two years (Gallop.com-November 2013).
The governor further stated Medicaid is a budget buster, and Utah's plan proposed reform health care in four key areas: administrative simplification, provider incentives, patient accountability and expanded premium subsidy options. "Medicaid is poised to wreak havoc on the state's budget for years to come, threatening our ability to fund critical services, such as transportation and education," he said (Utah.gov).
He pointed out Medicaid's growth as a part of Utah's state budget, even before the Affordable Care Act passed. Medicaid's share of the overall general fund was as low as nine percent in the 1990s. By 2010, it was 18% and current estimates for 2020 exceed 30% ( Utah.gov).
Given their unique position, the governor, his staff and his cabinet are in the best positions to make the most informed choices for the state of Utah.
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