H.J.R. 22

1

JOINT RESOLUTION - UTAH'S MEDICAID
2 ASSET TEST
3 2009 GENERAL SESSION
4 STATE OF UTAH
5 Chief Sponsor: Rebecca Chavez-Houck
6 Senate Sponsor: Daniel R. Liljenquist
7
8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This joint resolution of the Legislature recommends an interim study on whether to
11 repeal a Medicaid asset test and how to help low income Utah families to no longer
12 have to rely on public assistance.
13 Highlighted Provisions:
14 This resolution:
15 . recommends an interim study to determine whether to repeal a portion of
16 Subsection 26-18-3.1 (4), Utah Code Annotated, that allows the Utah Department of
17 Health to require a Medicaid asset test; and
18 . recommends the study include a component on how to help low income Utah
19 families to move off of public assistance, make economic progress, and help break
20 the generational cycle of poverty.
21 Special Clauses:
22 None
23
24 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
25 WHEREAS, government should be efficient, remove barriers that keep Utah families
26 from becoming self sufficient, help Utahns build wealth, and end the generational cycle of
27 poverty;

28 WHEREAS, the Medicaid asset test currently authorized under Subsection
29 26-18-3.1 (4), Utah Code Annotated, creates disincentives that keep families from building
30 assets and saving for retirement, a house, or for their children's education; and
31 WHEREAS, repealing the Medicaid asset test provision will improve government
32 efficiency by streamlining the Medicaid eligibility determination process, improving automated
33 eligibility determination systems, and easing the challenge of beneficiaries becoming more self
34 sufficient:
35 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of the state of Utah
36 recommends an interim study to determine whether to repeal that part of Subsection
37 26-18-3.1 (4), Utah Code Annotated, that allows the Department of Health to require a
38 Medicaid asset test.
39 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that the Legislature recommends the study include how
40 to help low income Utah families move off of public assistance, make economic progress, and
41 help break the generational cycle of poverty.
42 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the chairs of the
43 Legislature's Health and Human Services Interim Committee and the chairs of the Workforce
44 Services and Community and Economic Development Interim Committee.





Legislative Review Note
as of 2-11-09 5:38 PM

Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel