Post by Logan on Feb 4, 2016 4:42:30 GMT -6
A Democratic lawmaker says voters might be able to end the yearslong legislative fight over expanding Medicaid, which would provide health care coverage to more poor Utahns.
Rep. Patrice Arent, D-Millcreek, introduced HB275 to create a process to put nonbinding questions on the ballot, and she plans a separate resolution to allow questioning voters this year about Medicaid expansion. It seeks opinions only and would not actually pass legislation.
"Because the Legislature has not passed any form of Medicaid expansion — or may just pass a very frail version — I feel the public should weigh in on this issue," Arent said Wednesday.
"We have seen plenty of public polling that shows the public supports having some sort of significant Medicaid expansion," she said. "This is another process that will have more weight because people are actually voting" — one that could prod members to act while giving political cover to some who have wavered.
Read more: www.sltrib.com/news/3495558-155/bill-utahns-should-be-asked-to
Rep. Patrice Arent, D-Millcreek, introduced HB275 to create a process to put nonbinding questions on the ballot, and she plans a separate resolution to allow questioning voters this year about Medicaid expansion. It seeks opinions only and would not actually pass legislation.
"Because the Legislature has not passed any form of Medicaid expansion — or may just pass a very frail version — I feel the public should weigh in on this issue," Arent said Wednesday.
"We have seen plenty of public polling that shows the public supports having some sort of significant Medicaid expansion," she said. "This is another process that will have more weight because people are actually voting" — one that could prod members to act while giving political cover to some who have wavered.
Read more: www.sltrib.com/news/3495558-155/bill-utahns-should-be-asked-to