The proposal for an alternative to expand Medicaid garnered support on Monday from the House Republicans.
The devise addresses the so-called ‘Medicaid coverage gap’ existent in states. It opts not to enhance Medicaid covering 54,000 bad adults who don’t validate for subsidies to put toward a squeeze of private coverage on a sovereign marketplace, www.HealthCare.gov.
The proposed legislation was approved by the House Business and Labor committee by an 11-3 vote along party lines.
It was tacked onto HB141, a catch-all bill for regulatory changes Utah must make to comply with the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
On the other hand, democrats oppose the plan. Besides, republican Governor Gary Herbert called it “irresponsible” saying it costs more and would offer leaner coverage to fewer people.
Some House Republicans voiced similar concerns but supported the effort allowing debate by the full House.
Dubbed ‘Access Utah’, the plan, forgoes USD 500 to USD 600 million in federal funding annually.
According to it, the ‘medically frail’ and parents with dependent children would be first in line for the subsidies. Any money left over would be given to others in the coverage gap.
Dunnigan said that HB141 has no fiscal note and the bill’s price tag depends on how much lawmakers see fit to appropriate in the final budget.
The spending will determine how many people are covered, he added.
“It might cover part of the coverage gap, it might cover all of the coverage gap,” Dunnigan said.