H.B. 267

1

UTAH PREMIUM PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM
2 2007 GENERAL SESSION
3 STATE OF UTAH
4 Chief Sponsor: Kory M. Holdaway
5 Senate Sponsor: ____________
6
7 LONG TITLE
8 General Description:
9 This bill amends provisions related to Utah's Medicaid program.
10 Highlighted Provisions:
11 This bill:
12 . directs the Department of Health to take steps to promote the Utah Premium
13 Partnership Program.
14 Monies Appropriated in this Bill:
15 This bill appropriates:
16 . as an ongoing appropriation subject to future budget constraints, $2 million from the
17 General Fund for fiscal year 2007-08 to the Division of Health Care Financing
18 within the Department of Health.
19 Other Special Clauses:
20 None
21 Utah Code Sections Affected:
22 AMENDS:
23 26-18-3.5, as last amended by Chapter 148, Laws of Utah 2006
24
25 Be it enacted by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
26 Section 1. Section 26-18-3.5 is amended to read:
27 26-18-3.5. Copayments by recipients -- Employer sponsored plans.

28 (1) The department shall selectively provide for enrollment fees, premiums,
29 deductions, cost sharing or other similar charges to be paid by recipients, their spouses, and
30 parents, within the limitations of federal law and regulation.
31 (2) (a) The department shall seek approval under the department's Section 1115
32 Medicaid waiver to cap enrollment fees for the Primary Care Network Demonstration Project
33 in accordance with Subsection (2)(b).
34 (b) Pursuant to a waiver obtained under Subsection (2)(a), the department shall cap
35 enrollment fees for the primary care network at $15 per year for those persons who, after July
36 1, 2003, are eligible to begin receiving General Assistance under Section 35A-3-401 .
37 (c) Beginning July 1, 2004, and pursuant to a waiver obtained under Subsection (2)(a),
38 the department shall cap enrollment fees for the primary care network at $25 per year for those
39 persons who have an income level that is below 50% of the federal poverty level.
40 (3) Beginning May 1, 2006, within appropriations by the Legislature and as a means to
41 increase health care coverage among the uninsured, the department shall take steps to promote
42 increased participation in employer sponsored health insurance, including:
43 (a) maximizing the health insurance premium subsidy provided under the state's
44 Primary Care Network Demonstration Project and the Utah Premium Partnership Program by:
45 (i) ensuring that state funds are matched by federal funds to the greatest extent
46 allowable; and
47 (ii) as the department determines appropriate, seeking federal approval to do one or
48 more of the following:
49 (A) eliminate or otherwise modify the annual enrollment fee;
50 (B) eliminate or otherwise modify the schedule used to determine the level of subsidy
51 provided to an enrollee each year;
52 (C) reduce the maximum number of participants allowable under the subsidy program;
53 [or]
54 (D) ensure adequate marketing of the programs and outreach to eligible individuals
55 and employers statewide; or
56 [(D)] (E) otherwise modify the program in a manner that promotes enrollment in
57 employer sponsored health insurance; and
58 (b) exploring the use of other options, including the development of a waiver under the

59 Medicaid Health Insurance Flexibility Demonstration Initiative or other federal authority.
60 Section 2. Appropriation.
61 As an ongoing appropriation subject to future budget constraints, there is appropriated
62 from the General Fund for fiscal year 2007-08, $2 million to the Division of Health Care
63 Financing within the Department of Health to take steps to promote increased participation in
64 the Utah Premium Partnership Program under Section 26-18-3.5 .




Legislative Review Note
as of 1-8-07 9:39 AM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel