Utah reduces voter-backed Medicaid expansion in rare move
Republican Gov.
It's drawn vocal protest from advocates who say the changes go further than any of the four other conservative-leaning states where voters expanded Medicaid after state lawmakers refused.
"This is a dark day for democracy in
Lawmakers' plan would extend Medicaid coverage to an additional 80,000 people, just over half of those that would have been covered under the ballot measure that voters passed in November, Republican Sen.
An additional 70,000 people can instead buy heavily subsidized insurance on the federal health care marketplace created under President
"I think we are doing the long-term responsible thing," said Republican Sen.
He said changes are needed to control future costs. Voters also approved a sales tax increase to pay for the expansion, but a subsequent state analysis found it would fall
Advocates argue there's plenty of money to roll out the program, and if it falls short, adjustments could be made in the future.
The ballot measure would have fully expanded Medicaid to about 150,000 people making less than
The legislation scales that back to people earning just over
Lawmakers say they have been assured the Trump administration will approve the waivers, but if they fall through, the measure would revert back to much of what the voters originally approved.
In
Two other Republican-leaning states also passed similar expansions in November. The rollout appears on track in
In
She has to forgo tests, oxygen and drugs recommended by her doctors because she can't afford them. She's shopped the federal marketplace, but with her medical needs and meager income, health care is out of reach even with subsidies.
"Here I am, trying to make some money a month to support myself, and I'm punished for it," said Sorensen, who also volunteers with American Cancer Society Action Network. "I just feel forgotten."
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