State of Utah Archives: on Health Care
Allen Glines:
Support Affordable Care Act; develop universal healthcare
- Support the Affordable Care Act, improve its strengths and eliminate its weaknesses.
- Work to eliminate wasteful spending in federal healthcare programs.
- Cap and regulate out of control costs in the healthcare industry.
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Develop a sustainable program that provides universal healthcare.
- Lower rate of unvaccinated children.
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Lower the cost of life saving medications.
- Invest in programs that seek to expand our knowledge of mental health and the best ways to go about treating it.
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Invest in community programs that are working to assist individuals with serious mental health disorders.
Source: 2021 Utah Senate campaign website AllenGlines.com
Jul 21, 2021
Allen Glines:
Streamline process for accommodations for disabilities
Streamline process for individuals with disabilities to obtain reasonable accommodations and forbid discrimination during this process.Assist individuals
in filing for disability payments. Decrease the amount of paperwork needed to file a claim. Reduce the backlog of claims that are unprocessed. Provide a clear path towards appealing rejected claims.
Source: 2021 Utah Senate campaign website AllenGlines.com
Jul 21, 2021
Austin Searle:
Replace employer-paid insurance with Medicare for All
Medicare For All would be funded by the federal government, using money that otherwise would go to Medicare, Medicaid, and other federal programs that pay for health services. We can eliminate employer-sponsored health insurance.
Employer-paid premiums for health insurance are exempt from national income and payroll taxes. By eliminating employer-sponsored health insurance, it will lower payroll taxes and have the federal programs pay for Medicare For All;
Source: 2021-2022 Utah Senate race website AustinForSenate.com
Jun 27, 2021
Chris Peterson:
Pro-Medicaid expansion
There are too many underinsured and uninsured folks in our state, many of whom are burdened with mountains of medical debt. Chris will make healthcare more accessible and more affordable by streamlining our healthcare system. He is committed to
upholding the voters' will by following through on the Medicaid expansion and medical cannabis program Utahns supported in 2018.
Source: 2020 Utah governor website PetersonForUtah.com
Oct 9, 2020
Kamala Harris:
Trump knew the truth on coronavirus and covered it up
The American people have witnessed what is the greatest failure of any presidential administration in the history of our country. 210,000 dead. Over 7 million who have contracted this disease. One in five businesses closed.
We're looking at frontline workers who have been treated like sacrificial workers. We are looking at over 30 million people, who had to file for unemployment.
On January 28th, the vice president and the president were informed about the nature of this pandemic. They were informed that it's lethal in consequence, that it is airborne, that it will affect young people, and that it would be contracted because
it is airborne. Can you imagine if you knew on January 28th, as opposed to March 13th, what they knew, what you might've done to prepare? They knew, and they covered it up. The president said it was a hoax.
Source: 2020 Vice-Presidential Debate in Utah
Oct 7, 2020
Kamala Harris:
On pre-existing conditions: Republicans are coming for you
Joe Biden was responsible with President Obama for the Affordable Care Act, which brought healthcare to over 20 million Americans and protected people with preexisting conditions. Donald Trump is in court, trying to get rid of the
Affordable Care Act. If you have a preexisting condition, they're coming for you. If you love someone who has a pre-existing condition, they're coming for you. If you are under the age of 26 on your parents' coverage, they're coming for you.
Source: 2020 Vice-Presidential Debate in Utah
Oct 7, 2020
Mike Pence:
We're producing millions of vaccines; ready by end of year
HARRIS: On January 28th, the vice president and the president were informed about the nature of this pandemic. They were informed that it's lethal in consequence, that it is airborne, that it will affect young people, and that it would be contracted
because it is airborne. Can you imagine if you knew on January 28th, as opposed to March 13th, what they knew, what you might've done to prepare? They knew, and they covered it up. The president said it was a hoax. PENCE:
Under President Trump's leadership, Operation Warp Speed, we believe we'll have literally tens of millions of doses of a vaccine before the end of this year. The reality is, when you look at the Biden plan,
it reads an awful lot like what our task force has been doing every step of the way. I think the American people know that this is a president who has put the health of America first.
Source: 2020 Vice-Presidential Debate in Utah
Oct 7, 2020
Mike Pence:
Trust people to make smart decisions, mandates not needed
HARRIS: The American people have witnessed what is the greatest failure of any presidential administration in the history of our country. 210,000 dead. Over 7 million who have contracted this disease. One in five businesses closed.
We're looking at frontline workers who have been treated like sacrificial workers. We are looking at over 30 million people, who had to file for unemployment. PENCE: President Trump and I trust the
American people to make choices in the best interest of their health. Joe Biden and Kamala Harris consistently talk about mandates, and not just mandates with the Coronavirus,
but a government takeover of healthcare, the Green New Deal, all government control. We're about freedom and respecting the freedom of the American people.
Source: 2020 Vice-Presidential Debate in Utah
Oct 7, 2020
Jon Huntsman:
Make state a trusted source on Coronavirus
The good news is that the testing standards have been loosened recently, and more tests have been made available. We have the capacity to begin moderate testing here from people who have had direct contact or traveled to areas
that we know there is rapid spread of the virus and are exhibiting symptoms. We have 400 test kits that were made available to us. We, like other states, are following the guidelines that have been given.
What we're doing is we are putting out daily accurate information. We want everyone to know what is happening. There's a lot of information out there.
What we're attempting to do is to be the trusted source of information for the people of the state of Utah so they can tune everything else out, go to our social media, our website and get the most accurate and up-to-date information.
Source: N.P.R. on 2020 Utah gubernatorial race
Mar 18, 2020
Jeff Burningham:
Choice and competition rather than government programs
Game changing leadership in healthcare is removing government from the relationship between doctors and patients. We must allow and encourage greater access to better care through choice and competition. Game changing leadership is applying market
principles like price transparency to our healthcare system. A patient should know exactly what each procedure costs at each hospital so that they can make the healthcare decisions that make the most sense.
Source: 2020 Utah gubernatorial campaign website JeffBurningham.com
Jan 6, 2020
Rebecca Holcombe:
Make health care more affordable
Holcombe said, "I'm gonna win by showing everyday working Vermonters that it's not enough to talk." She added, "I think Vermonters want a governor who's gonna roll up their sleeves and engage."Holcombe declined to outline specific policy priorities,
saying only that she would focus on making health care more affordable, strengthening public schools and addressing climate change. Asked for details, she said, "We got a long opportunity here and I'm just starting."
Source: Seven Days e-zine on 2020 Utah Gubernatorial race
Jul 16, 2019
Spencer Cox:
Supports move to scale back Medicaid expansion
He said he supported state leaders' move to scale back a voter-approved Medicaid expansion,
though he also wants to work to reduce health care costs overall.
Source: Associated Press coverage of 2020 Utah gubernatorial race
May 14, 2019
Craig Bowden:
ObamaCare only benefits the insurance companies
Q: Do you agree or disagree with the statement, "Expand ObamaCare"?A: No.
Q: Do you mean "repeal without a replacement" or "repeal and replace"? And if the latter, replace with what?
A:Full repeal, as it really only benefits the insurance companies. Replace with free market reforms that will drive down costs, such as allowing more competition with buying across state lines, eliminating taxes on medical equipment, etc.
Source: OnTheIssues follow-up with 2018 Utah Senate candidate
Mar 1, 2018
Jenny Wilson:
Keep ObamaCare individual insurance mandate
Wilson criticized the elimination of the Affordable Care Act's individual insurance mandate, which she said is being used to finance $300 billion in corporate tax cuts.
Critics of the tax legislation, including Wilson, however, say only the top 1 percent of Americans and large corporations will get the most relief.
Source: Salt Lake Tribune on 2018 Utah Senate race
Dec 21, 2017
Jenny Wilson:
Medicaid money can fight opioid crisis
Wilson, who serves on the Utah Attorney General's Opioid Task Force, has been a strong supporter of prioritizing funding and expanding treatment. Recently she voted in favor of expanding jail beds in
Salt Lake County so that dealers can be put behind bars and victims can be taken to treatment. She pointed out that over $1 billion in federal dollars of Utah have been sent to other states because Utah leaders refused to expand Medicaid.
Source: 2018 Utah Senatorial website WilsonForSenate.com
Oct 1, 2017
John Curtis:
Repealing or fixing ObamaCare takes time
The reality is that we have not had a free market healthcare system for many decades. It is unrealistic to say we are going to roll everything back in the next four years. Republicans weren't ready when we got our chance to fix the problem.
Frankly, I am frustrated and embarrassed that Congress didn't have their answer ready. Skyrocketing healthcare costs and lack of access are issues we cannot ignore, and the answer will come with more portability, flexibility, and transparency.
Source: 2017 Utah House campaign website JohnCurtis.org
Aug 17, 2017
Danny Drew:
Replacements for ObamaCare should be non-partisan
One of the biggest talking points during the 2009 debate over the Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare) was that it wasn't bi-partisan. Yes the provisions were added in committee in a bi-partisan way but that no Republican would or did vote for it.
Now, Senator Hatch has joined a group of 15 republicans who are secretly creating a plan for the US Senate. Not only bypassing the appropriate Committees but ensuring that this bill will also be completely partisan.
Source: Facebook posting by candidate for 2018 Utah Senatorial race
Jun 14, 2017
Misty Snow:
Healthcare is a human right; insure the 33M uninsured
Healthcare is a human right. There are approximately 33 million people in this country that do not have access to health insurance. As a result, we have thousands of people dying each year because they can't afford health insurance, and thousands more
die each year because the health insurance they have is insufficient. Millions that do have adequate care are burdened with high premiums, deductibles, and prescription drug prices. The USA currently has the world's most expensive health care system,
yet we do not have the best healthcare outcomes. Dozens of other countries don't have thousands dying every year because they can't afford health insurance, and those same countries don't have people forgoing necessary medications because they cannot
afford them.
The Affordable Care Act was a good beginning, but it's just that, a beginning. Much more needs to be done to ensure that all people in this country have full access to healthcare.
Source: 2016 Utah Senate campaign website MistyKSnow.com
Aug 8, 2016
Misty Snow:
ObamaCare is a good start, but goal is single payer
The Affordable Care Act [ObamaCare] was a good beginning, but it's just that, a beginning. Much more needs to be done to ensure that all people in this country have full access to healthcare. The best solution is to adopt a single payer system that has
proven to be successful in dozens of other countries. I am not opposed to expanding the current Affordable Care Act to cover more people.
I am also not opposed to finding new solutions to increase access, provide better quality care, and reduce costs. However, such solutions should not distract from the main goal of eventually adopting a single payer system by extending
Medicare coverage to all Americans. We must continue to fight until all people have access to healthcare.
Source: 2016 Utah Senate campaign website MistyKSnow.com
Aug 8, 2016
Mike Weinholtz:
Full Medicaid expansion & access to preventative care
Utahns take care of Utahns, but our one-party government has not listened to the people. Instead, they have made health care a political issue, and their partisanship hurts families. I have built my career by
finding solutions to complex health care issues and, as governor, I will work toward full Medicaid expansion, implement state employee health programs, and increase access to preventative care.
The majority of Utahns want full Medicaid expansion, and I am the only candidate to agree with them. It's not just about doing the right thing and making sure our most vulnerable are taken care of, it's also the right decision economically.
The people of Utah already pay taxes to the federal government, but instead of having our tax dollars come back to Utah, the governor and legislature allows your hard-earned dollars to go to 32 other states to pay for their Medicaid expansions.
Source: 2016 Utah gubernatorial campaign website MikeForUtah.com
Jun 17, 2016
Vaughn Cook:
Expand Medicaid programs covering the poor
Cook's platform calls for raising Utah's minimum wage, with potential exemptions for smaller and startup companies; tougher pollution-control mandates to improve air quality; expansion of Medicaid programs covering the poor; and greater transparency
with an end to closed-door caucuses on Utah's Capitol Hill.A Logan native and graduate of Utah State University, Cook holds a degree in Oriental medicine.
Source: Salt Lake Tribune on 2016 Utah Gubernatorial race
Mar 1, 2016
Gary Herbert:
Healthcare best solved at the state level
Too many Utahns work hard and still have no healthcare coverage. I promise that I will work with you to continue providing constructive, practical solutions to every problem and every challenge that we face regardless of who created them, and I know that
you want to do the same thing. No matter what issues we face, the states can and do find the best solutions, not the federal government. On this issue of healthcare, let this be the session when Utah leads the way in finding the right state solution.
Source: 2016 State of the State speech to Utah legislature
Jan 27, 2016
Jonathan Johnson:
ObamaCare & Medicaid expansion: ever-increasing government
As the so-called Gang of Six considers Medicaid expansion in Utah under ObamaCare, let's step back to look at the negative long-term ramifications of the ever-increasing expansion of the federal government in Utah. When President Obama strong-armed the
Affordable Care Act through Congress, Utahns were overwhelmingly outraged by the gross overreach of the federal government. The tax increases, the mandates and the government intrusion into our lives were not the Utah way. And now proponents of Medicaid
expansion in Utah are proposing more of the same.Medicaid expansion is projected to cost Utah at least $78 million annually--and that is on top of the roughly $600 million of annual ObamaCare-rooted taxpayer dollars from the federal government.
To fund this new expense the Gang of Six has looked at several options, with ideas ranging from bringing back the sales tax on food to forcing insurers, hospitals, doctors, medical device manufacturers and drug providers to cover the open-ended costs.
Source: Deseret News OpEd by 2016 Utah gubernatorial candidate
Sep 17, 2015
Greg Hughes:
Against ObamaCare and expanding Medicaid in Utah
Even as some states expanded Medicaid, Utah didn't. Utah has seen Medicaid costs threaten the state's budget stability. Over the past 15 years, Utah's Medicaid costs have jumped nearly 77 percent and account for 23 percent of the state's general fund.
By 2020, this growth is projected to hit 30 percent of the general fund˙without expansion. That's not what Utahns want. Utah embraces policies that take care of those unable to take care of themselves, while providing a hand up for everyone else.
Source: UtahPolicy.com on 2020 Utah gubernatorial race
Feb 25, 2015
Mia Love:
Replace ObamaCare with tax incentives & portability
When government gets too involved, the same thing always happens: prices go up and quality goes down. Obamacare, which is not affordable and not sustainable, is a classic example of this.Unfortunately, many politicians simply want to repeal
Obamacare without proposing what they would replace it with. In contrast, these are some of my ideas to improve the sustainability, quality, and affordability of health care:- Incentivize shared decision making between patients and health care provider
- Provide for the portability of individual health care plans (e.g., allow people to carry plans from employer to employer)
- Support tax-free savings for health needs
- Support tax incentives aimed at extending private insurance coverage
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Repeal Obamacare because more government, greater bureaucracy, and higher taxes are not the answers to our health care problems. If there is ever a chance to repeal Obamacare, you can count on my vote to do so.
Source: 2014 Utah House campaign website, Love4Utah.com
Aug 8, 2014
Gary Herbert:
Restrict expansion of state Medicaid program
Legislative Summary: HB391: This bill prohibits the Department of Health or the governor from expanding the state Medicaid program to optional expansion populations unless: the
Health Reform Task Force completes a review of a statewide charity care system; the department completes a thorough analysis of the impact of Medicaid expansion in the state.Analysis by Health Policy Project:
March 2013: After a traditional expansion bill (HB 153) is withdrawn in committee, Utah legislature passes "Prohibition of Medicaid Expansion" (HB 391) requiring legislative approval for any Medicaid Expansion proposal or funding.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 27-0-2 on Mar/13/13; Passed House 51-23-1 on Mar/13/13; Signed by Governor Gary Herbert onApr/3/13
Source: The Deseret News on Utah voting record HB391
Apr 3, 2013
Spencer Cox:
Restrict expansion of state Medicaid program
Legislative Summary: HB391: This bill prohibits the Department of Health or the governor from expanding the state Medicaid program to optional expansion populations unless: the
Health Reform Task Force completes a review of a statewide charity care system; the department completes a thorough analysis of the impact of Medicaid expansion in the state.Analysis by Health Policy Project:
March 2013: After a traditional expansion bill (HB 153) is withdrawn in committee, Utah legislature passes "Prohibition of Medicaid Expansion" (HB 391) requiring legislative approval for any Medicaid Expansion proposal or funding.
Legislative Outcome: Passed Senate 27-0-2 on Mar/13/13; Passed House 51-23-1 on Mar/13/13; State Rep. Spencer Cox voted YES; Signed by Governor Gary Herbert onApr/3/13
Source: The Deseret News on Utah voting record HB391
Mar 13, 2013
Orrin Hatch:
ObamaCare is an "atrocious" act; repeal & replace
On President Barack Obama's health care law, Howell said he wants to improve it rather than kill it, while
Hatch called it an "atrocious" act that needs to be repealed and replaced.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle on 2012 Utah Senate debate
Oct 18, 2012
Scott Howell:
Improve ObamaCare rather than kill it
On President Barack Obama's health care law, Howell said he wants to improve it rather than kill it, while
Hatch called it an "atrocious" act that needs to be repealed and replaced.
Source: San Francisco Chronicle on 2012 Utah Senate debate
Oct 18, 2012
Dan Liljenquist:
No 5-year wait for child health insurance for immigrants
Hatch accused Liljenquist of voting to expand child health insurance programs when he was a state senator."That is simply not true," Liljenquist said.
"Well, of course, it's true," Hatch responded.
"The vote I took in the Legislature removed a
five-year waiting period for legal immigrants--LEGAL immigrants--to qualify for these programs. That's all I did," Liljenquist said.
"That's an expansion," Hatch said.
"That was not an expansion," Liljenquist said.
Source: Salt Lake Tribune on 2012 Utah Senate debates
Jun 16, 2012
Dan Liljenquist:
ObamaCare facilitates government takeover of healthcare
ObamaCare is a back door to facilitating the government takeover of healthcare. It simply must be repealed and Dan has pledged to do so.
He is pleased to be endorsed by the "Repeal Obamacare PAC."
Source: 2012 Senate campaign website, danforutah.com
May 24, 2012
Gary Herbert:
Sue on unconstitutionality of ObamaCare
If we as a state fail to vigorously fight to protect and defend our rights under the Constitution, those rights will invariably be seized and usurped by the federal government. I remind Washington, we are a state, not a colony, and I assure you, on my
watch, Utah will not stand idly by.In fact, we and 26 other states are asserting our right and our obligation to say no to an unconstitutional federal health care program. Over the past three years we have worked closely with you in the
Legislature to create solutions to reform Utah's health care system. We are also taking the lead to rein in outrageous cost increases in federally mandated entitlement programs, before those costs further impair our ability to fund education and
other vital state services. In the election last November, the people sent a message that federal domination must give way to mutual collaboration. Unfortunately, that message was promptly ignored.
Source: 2011 Utah State of the State Address
Jan 26, 2011
Gary Herbert:
Increase transparency, access, and choice
We understand public access to medical services is critical. Rather than simply talk--or, more accurately, sometimes fight--about health care reform, Utah has stepped forward with solutions. The Utah Health Exchange is now open for business.This
Utah-crafted solution is an innovative approach to increase transparency in the health care system, to increase access and to increase choice. Already, hundreds of Utahns have coverage in plans they have chosen for themselves. This is a revolutionary
approach to health benefits that will soon be available to even more Utahns.
Our Exchange is one example of how states can--and should--lead the nation on health care reform. We don't want or need a one-size-fits-all program that will balloon our
national deficit and provide questionable care to our citizens. The continued encroachment of the federal government into our businesses, our lives and our pocketbooks must be challenged.
Source: Utah 2010 State of the State Address
Jan 26, 2010
Jon Huntsman:
Truly affordable insurance: pathway to coverage for everyone
Nowhere is major surgery needed more than in accessing affordable healthcare. I'm sorry to have to say it again this year, but skyrocketing healthcare costs are bankrupting businesses and leaving too many Utahns with no options at all. In a state as
compassionate as ours, certainly we can find a better way to cover the uninsured. We are going to find policies that are affordable, the political will to enact them and, through perseverance, provide a pathway to coverage for everyone. Therefore,
I am asking all involved: doctors, insurance companies, consumers and we in this chamber to close the gap on the uninsured by 2012. Let's begin this session by passing the task force legislation to develop a truly affordable insurance policy.
But this is not enough. We must connect all people to the healthcare they need. A truly affordable policy and the means by which to connect all people will be done in this state, this year!
Source: Utah 2009 State of the State address
Jan 27, 2009
Jon Huntsman:
No denial of coverage because of minor ailments
On one hand, we are one of the nation's most advanced states in medical sciences. On the other hand, we have far too many Utahns who cannot afford adequate health care. It is unacceptable that a young father who works for a small business and wants
to buy insurance for his family is denied coverage because of minor ailments. Should eczema or post-partum depression preclude a family from getting affordable health insurance?
What business or family in Utah hasn't experienced rising health care
costs or, even worse, had to forgo treatment for lack of coverage? In Utah there are now more than 300,000 people without insurance. That's one out of every eight of us. And many more fear that losing or changing a job may leave them without health
insurance.
In a state that prides itself on practical solutions, this issue is crying out for a fix. We cannot wait for Washington's one-size-fits-all plan that does not account for Utah's unique challenges and abilities.
Source: Utah 2008 State of the State address
Jan 22, 2008
Jon Huntsman:
We mandate insurance for cars, but not children's health
It is an irony that we live in a country which mandates insurance for our cars, but not for our children's health. We must stop seeing this crisis as a one dimensional social issue. The large number of those without health insurance nationally and in our
own State highlights a dilemma in defining the proper role of government and a critical challenge to the exercise of individual responsibility. I am recommending more than $4 million to lift the cap on the Children's Health Insurance Program
(CHIP) which will allow more than 14,000 additional Utah children access to the health care they so desperately need. In addition to the children, there are hundreds of thousands of uninsured adults. We must stop kidding ourselves that those who are
uninsured are simply not receiving health care. They are receiving care, but they are receiving too little, too late--and typically in settings such as emergency rooms where the care is much more expensive than if it had been provided elsewhere.
Source: Utah 2007 State of the State address
Jan 16, 2007
Page last updated: Oct 14, 2021