MINUTES OF THE
HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES INTERIM COMMITTEE
Wednesday, May 21, 2025 • 8:30 a.m. • 30 House Building


Members Present:
Sen. Keith Grover, Chair
Rep. Bridger Bolinder, Chair
Sen. Luz Escamilla
Sen. Jerry W Stevenson
Sen. Keven J. Stratton
Rep. Nelson T. Abbott
Rep. Cheryl K. Acton
Rep. Stewart E. Barlow
Rep. Kristen Chevrier
Rep. Tyler Clancy
Rep. Jennifer Dailey-Provost
Rep. Steve Eliason
Rep. Stephanie Gricius
Rep. Katy Hall
Rep. Sandra Hollins
Rep. Verona Mauga
Rep. Logan J. Monson
Rep. Raymond P. Ward

Members Absent:
President J. Stuart Adams

Staff Present:
Seth Anderson, Policy Analyst
Lisa Sorensen, Policy Analyst
Christopher Williams, Associate General Counsel
Shay Berger, Administrative Assistant

Note: A copy of related materials and an audio recording of the meeting can be found at www.le.utah.gov.

Chair Bolinder called the meeting to order.
1.Committee Business
Committee members and staff introduced themselves.
MOTION:Rep. Chevrier moved to approve the minutes.The motion passed with a vote of 11-0-8.
Yeas - 11Nays- 0Abs- 8
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. C. Acton
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. K. Chevrier
Rep. S. Eliason
Rep. K. Hall
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. L. Monson
Sen. K. Stratton
Rep. R. Ward
Sen. J. Adams
Rep. T. Clancy
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Sen. L. Escamilla
Rep. S. Gricius
Sen. K. Grover
Rep. V. Mauga
Sen. J. Stevenson
1 - Open and Public Meetings Act Overview (OLRGC)
Lisa Sorensen, Policy Analyst, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, presented on the Open and Public Meetings Act.
2.2025 Interim Study Plan
Lisa Sorensen, Policy Analyst, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, discussed the interim study item list.
Committee members discussed the study item list.
MOTION:Rep. Chevrier moved to add "discussion of toxins in feminine hygiene products" to the interim study item list.The motion passed with a vote of 15-0-4.
Yeas - 15Nays- 0Abs- 4
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. C. Acton
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. K. Chevrier
Rep. T. Clancy
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Rep. S. Eliason
Rep. S. Gricius
Rep. K. Hall
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. V. Mauga
Rep. L. Monson
Sen. K. Stratton
Rep. R. Ward
Sen. J. Adams
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. J. Stevenson
MOTION:Rep. Gricius moved to approve the interim study item list.
SUBSTITUTE MOTION:Rep. Hollins moved to add "food security of senior citizens" to the interim study item list.The substitute motion passed with a vote of 15-0-4.
Yeas - 15Nays- 0Abs- 4
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. C. Acton
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. K. Chevrier
Rep. T. Clancy
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Rep. S. Eliason
Rep. S. Gricius
Rep. K. Hall
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. V. Mauga
Rep. L. Monson
Sen. K. Stratton
Rep. R. Ward
Sen. J. Adams
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. J. Stevenson
The committee voted to approve the interim study item list as amended.passed with a vote 15-0-4.
Yeas - 15Nays- 0Abs- 4
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. C. Acton
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. K. Chevrier
Rep. T. Clancy
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Rep. S. Eliason
Rep. S. Gricius
Rep. K. Hall
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. V. Mauga
Rep. L. Monson
Sen. K. Stratton
Rep. R. Ward
Sen. J. Adams
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. J. Stevenson
MOTION:Rep. Hall moved to authorize committee chairs to open committee bill files.The motion passed with a vote of 15-0-4.
Yeas - 15Nays- 0Abs- 4
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. C. Acton
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. K. Chevrier
Rep. T. Clancy
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Rep. S. Eliason
Rep. S. Gricius
Rep. K. Hall
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. V. Mauga
Rep. L. Monson
Sen. K. Stratton
Rep. R. Ward
Sen. J. Adams
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. K. Grover
Sen. J. Stevenson
3.Sunset Reviews
3 - 2025 HHS Sunset Review Overview (Source: OLRGC)
Seth Anderson, Policy Analyst, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, provided an overview of the committee website and sunset reviews.
Committee members asked clarifying questions.
Ashley Morets, Department of Health and Human Services, responded to a question from the committee.
4.Statutory Reports
Lisa Sorensen, Policy Analyst, Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel, provided an overview of the committee's statutorily required reports.
5.Behavioral Health Audits
5 - A Performance Audit of Utah's Behavioral Health System (OLAG)
Leah Blevins, Audit Manager, and Madison Hoover, Office of the Legislative Auditor General, presented "A Performance Audit of Utah's Behavioral Health System."
Committee members asked clarifying questions.
Brent Kelsey, Director, Office of Substance Use and Mental Health, responded to the audit.
Committee members asked clarifying questions.
Ally Isom, Chair, Utah Behavioral Health Commission, responded to the audit and provided an overview of the commission.
5 - A Performance Audit of Utah's Behavioral Health Workforce (Source: OLAG)
Leah Blevins, Audit Manager, and McKenzie Cantlon, Lead Performance Auditor, Office of Legislative Auditor General, presented "A Performance Audit of Utah's Behavioral Health Workforce."
Committee members asked clarifying questions.
Jennifer Strohecker, Director of Medicaid, Department of Health and Human Services, responded to questions from the committee.
Nate Checketts, Deputy Director, Department of Health and Human Services, responded to the audit.
Committee members asked clarifying questions.
Ally Isom, Chair, Utah Behavioral Health Commission, responded to the audit.
MOTION:Rep. Eliason moved to open a committee bill file to address issues raised in "A Performance Audit of Utah's Behavioral Health Workforce," particularly regarding ghost providers and the accuracy of provider directories.The motion passed with a vote of 17-0-2.
Yeas - 17Nays- 0Abs- 2
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. C. Acton
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. K. Chevrier
Rep. T. Clancy
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Rep. S. Eliason
Sen. L. Escamilla
Rep. S. Gricius
Rep. K. Hall
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. V. Mauga
Rep. L. Monson
Sen. J. Stevenson
Sen. K. Stratton
Rep. R. Ward
Sen. J. Adams
Sen. K. Grover
6.Dental Health
Rep. Chevrier introduced the agenda item.
6 - Role of Xylitol in Oral Health (Source: Mark Cannon)
Nate Jones, CEO/Founder of Xlear, and Mark Cannon, DDS, Northwestern University, presented on xylitol and opportunities that exist to leverage its dental health benefits.
Committee members asked clarifying questions and commented on the presentation.
7.Medicaid
7 - Utah DHHS Medicaid 101 (Source: Department of Health & Human Services)
7 - Utah-Federal Comparison of Community Engagement Requirements Handout (Source: DHHS)
7 - Medicaid Handout (Source: DHHS)
Jennifer Strohecker, State Medicaid Director, presented an overview of Medicaid in Utah.
Committee members asked clarifying questions.
MOTION:Rep. Hall moved to adjourn.The motion passed with a vote of 12-0-7.
Yeas - 12Nays- 0Abs- 7
Rep. N. Abbott
Rep. C. Acton
Rep. S. Barlow
Rep. B. Bolinder
Rep. K. Chevrier
Rep. S. Eliason
Sen. L. Escamilla
Sen. K. Grover
Rep. K. Hall
Rep. S. Hollins
Rep. V. Mauga
Rep. R. Ward
Sen. J. Adams
Rep. T. Clancy
Rep. J. Dailey-Provost
Rep. S. Gricius
Rep. L. Monson
Sen. J. Stevenson
Sen. K. Stratton