S.J.R. 15 Enrolled

JOINT RESOLUTION URGING MEDICAID
REFORM
2005 GENERAL SESSION
STATE OF UTAH
Chief Sponsor: Peter C. Knudson
House Sponsor: Ronda Rudd Menlove

LONG TITLE
General Description:
This joint resolution of the Legislature urges the United States Congress to reject cuts to
Medicaid and work with states to institute Medicaid reform.
Highlighted Provisions:
This resolution:
. urges the United States Congress to reject any budget reduction and budget
reconciliation process for fiscal year 2006 related to Medicaid reform that would
shift additional costs to the states and to reject any cap on federal Medicaid funding;
. urges the United States Congress to work with state policymakers to enact reforms
that will result in Medicaid cost savings for both the states and the Federal
Government; and
. urges the United States Congress to establish a benefits program for those who are
eligible for both Medicaid and Medicare to be totally funded by Medicare.
Special Clauses:
None

Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
WHEREAS, the Medicaid program provides access to health care for Utah's most
vulnerable citizens, including low-income children, parents, pregnant women, people with
disabilities, and senior citizens;
WHEREAS, growth in Medicaid spending per capita has remained relatively low when

compared to private health insurance premiums;
WHEREAS, current federal and state Medicaid expenditures are growing at a rate of 12%
per year and averaging almost 22% of states' annual budgets primarily because of the recent
economic downturn, rising health care costs, and an increase in the aging population; and
WHEREAS, new funding challenges for state government will become more acute as
states absorb new costs to help implement the Medicaid Modernization Act:
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah urges
the United States Congress to reject any budget reduction and budget reconciliation process for
fiscal year 2006 related to Medicaid reform that would shift additional costs to the states.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature urges the United States Congress to
reject any cap on federal funding for the Medicaid program, whether in the form of an allotment,
an allocation, or a block grant.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature urges the United States Congress to
work with state policymakers to enact reforms that will result in Medicaid cost savings for both
the states and the Federal Government.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature urges the United States Congress to
establish a benefits program for the "dual eligible" population, people eligible for both Medicaid
and Medicare, that would be 100% funded by Medicare instead of Medicaid.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the Majority
Leader of the United States Senate, the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives,
and to the members of Utah's congressional delegation.