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JOINT RESOLUTION RECOGNIZING THE SUCCESS OF

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THE UTAH MEDICAID ACCOUNTABLE CARE PROGRAM

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2021 GENERAL SESSION

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STATE OF UTAH

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Chief Sponsor: Norman K. Thurston

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Senate Sponsor: Michael S. Kennedy

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8     LONG TITLE
9     Committee Note:
10          The Health and Human Services Interim Committee recommended this bill.
11               Legislative Vote:     14 voting for     0 voting against     3 absent
12     General Description:
13          This joint resolution recognizes the success of Utah Medicaid's accountable care
14     program.
15     Highlighted Provisions:
16          This resolution:
17          ▸     highlights the history of Utah Medicaid's accountable care program;
18          ▸     highlights the program's outcomes;
19          ▸     recognizes the program's success;
20          ▸     expresses the Legislature's support; and
21          ▸     commends the Department of Health for its efforts.
22     Special Clauses:
23          None
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25     Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
26          WHEREAS, in 2011 the Legislature of the state of Utah unanimously passed S.B. 180,
27     Medicaid Reform, which required the Department of Health to maximize replacement of the

28     Medicaid program's fee-for-service delivery model with one or more risk-based delivery
29     models;
30          WHEREAS, since January 1, 2013, Medicaid services have been delivered to most
31     program enrollees through risk-based accountable care organizations;
32          WHEREAS, today the Medicaid program contracts with four accountable care
33     organizations for service delivery;
34          WHEREAS, during the two decades preceding the creation of accountable care
35     organizations, the rate of growth in state spending for Utah's Medicaid program exceeded the
36     rate of growth of the state's General Fund, raising concerns about the long-term sustainability
37     of the program;
38          WHEREAS, the Legislature's stated goals for reforming Medicaid service delivery
39     included reducing the rate of spending growth, aligning incentives to promote quality and
40     value, and creating a budget stabilization account funded with reform savings to mitigate
41     funding challenges during economic downturns; and
42          WHEREAS, as foreseen by the Legislature in 2011, the enactment of S.B. 180 has:
43          (1) slowed Medicaid spending and aligned the growth rates of Medicaid and the
44     General Fund;
45          (2) produced a Budget Stabilization Account with an accumulated savings of over
46     seventy million dollars;
47          (3) increased predictability for state budgeting; and
48          (4) incentivized the increased delivery of value-added services to Medicaid enrollees
49     and the state through Medicaid accountable care organizations, including customer service,
50     care management, social services and care coordination, standardized quality measurement and
51     improvement programs, value-based payment programs, and provider support services:
52          NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah,
53     recognizes the successful implementation and accomplishments of Utah Medicaid's
54     accountable care program.
55          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature renews its commitment to and
56     support for Utah Medicaid's accountable care program.
57          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature commends the Department of
58     Health and the department's Division of Medicaid and Health Financing for their role in

59     creating, and supporting ongoing efforts to sustain, a successful Medicaid accountable care
60     program.
61          BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Department
62     of Health and the department's Division of Medicaid and Health Financing.