H.J.R. 19 Enrolled

JOINT RESOLUTION URGING HEALTH CARE
FOR UTAH'S INDIGENT AND NEEDY
UNINSURED
2005 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Lorie D. Fowlke
Senate Sponsor: Mark B. Madsen

LONG TITLE
General Description:
This joint resolution of the Legislature urges that public comment, research, and
recommendations be provided and considered for the adoption of an authentic charity
care system in the state of Utah.
Highlighted Provisions:
This resolution:
. urges academicians, the insurance industry, think tanks, and others to study the
feasibility of implementing an authentic charity care system in Utah;
. urges that a list of factors be considered by these groups as part of the study; and
. urges that a report of this group's findings be made to the Legislature by November
30, 2005.
Special Clauses:
None

Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
WHEREAS, Utah is known for its compassionate people who are generous and kind in
helping their neighbors in need;
WHEREAS, Utahns have demonstrated an unsurpassed dedication to voluntary service;
WHEREAS, according to the Utah Department of Health, approximately 215,000 or
9% of Utahns lacked health insurance in 2003;

WHEREAS, over 200,000 Utahns receive their health insurance from the Utah
Department of Health at a budgeted cost of more than $1.5 billion in fiscal year 2005;
WHEREAS, Utah faces severe fiscal challenges in providing for rapidly expanding and
very expensive education, health care, and transportation needs; and
WHEREAS, the Sutherland Institute has released a report recommending that Utah can
meet the basic health care needs for all of its indigent and needy uninsured residents while saving
the state hundreds of millions of dollars, building true community, and without eligibility
restrictions:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah urges
think tanks, academicians, the insurance industry, and all others with an interest in providing
universal health care for the poor to study the feasibility of implementing an authentic charity
care system in Utah and report their findings to the Legislature by November 30, 2005.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature specifically requests thoughtful
consideration and direct input from these groups on:
. the projected costs of all state government-provided health care services over the
next ten years;
. how a proposed authentic charity care system should be governed, administered,
and sufficiently financed;
. how volunteer medical professionals should be organized, coordinated, and
utilized in an authentic charity care system;
. the projected capital and operating costs of providing the necessary number of
conveniently located, full-service, charity care facilities throughout the state;
. how the principle of reciprocity should be administered in the new system; and
. the projected costs of implementing an authentic charity care system over the next
ten years.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Utah
Department of Insurance, the Utah Department of Health, the presidents of the state's institutions
of higher education, the Utah Medical Association, and the Utah Insurance Association.