Wednesday, February 19, 2014
Guv Calls Lawmakers' Medicaid Expansion Plan 'Illogical'
Posted By Colby Frazier on February 19, 2014, 4:17 PM
A proposal by Utah Republican leaders to shun federal money to expand Medicaid coverage in favor of dipping into state coffers was characterized Wednesday by Gov. Gary Herbert as “illogical.”---
The governor said he didn't see why Utah should refuse federal money, which would amount to roughly a half a billion dollars and would cover the majority of the state's uninsured who don't qualify for subsidies under the Affordable Care Act, in favor of spending state money to insure far fewer people.
“The Utah taxpayer should not have to pay more and help fewer people and that's the proposal I see in the house that causes me concern,” Herbert said during his monthly KUED news conference. “That seems to be illogical to me.”
Under the plan, put forth by House Speaker Becky Lockart, R-Provo, the state would spend $35 million to cover an unknown portion of Utah's 54,000 residents who live below the poverty line. However, in doing so, the state would pass on receiving $524 million from the federal government.
Herbert said much of this federal money that could flow back to Utah came from Utahns, and if there's a chance for it to come back, it should. “When we have an opportunity to take it back. …” he said. “We probably ought to take a hard look at that opportunity, and Medicaid expansion is certainly a part of that.”
Democrats blasted the Republican plan. In a news release, Rep. Jim Dabakis, D-S