The purpose of Medicaid is to increase access to healthcare for the most vulnerable. However, Senate Bill 96 enacted enrollment caps, per capita caps, and work reporting requirements that restrict many Utahns access to Medicaid.
With an enrollment cap on the Medicaid program, an individual who loses their job, has a decrease in pay, or can't work due to injury after the State has decided to close enrollment will be denied Medicaid.
Instating a per-capita cap will limit the amount of federal dollars that would otherwise be available for Medicaid expansion. An economic downturn, disease outbreak, natural disaster, or any other kind of emergency could mean that the state has to cut and/or deny eligible Utahns Medicaid coverage.
The reporting requirements proposed under the SB96, will also put a strain on people eligible for Medicaid coverage. To keep their coverage, enrollees will need to complete paperwork proving that they are working or looking for work. In other states, this has meant that people who meet the work requirement lost their Medicaid coverage because they struggled to report it.
Utah voted for a Medicaid expansion, but with the SB96, we are not getting the expansion we voted for. Let’s take a stand to defeat these harmful changes to Medicaid in Utah. Share your comments about the proposed bill online here or via email at Medicaid1115waiver@utah.gov by June 30. Your voice is invaluable as we strive to stop these changes to Medicaid.
Sheila Hubert, Provo
