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8 LONG TITLE
9 General Description:
10 This joint resolution directs the lieutenant governor to present an opinion question to
11 the legal voters of the state to determine whether the voters support an expansion of
12 eligibility for the Medicaid program in Utah.
13 Highlighted Provisions:
14 This resolution:
15 ▸ pursuant to Title 36, Chapter 16b, Nonbinding Statewide Public Opinion Questions,
16 directs the lieutenant governor to present an opinion question to the legal voters of
17 the state to determine whether the voters support expanding eligibility for the
18 Medicaid program in Utah to adults in the state who have a household income of
19 less than 138% of the federal poverty level and who are not otherwise eligible for
20 the program; and
21 ▸ directs the lieutenant governor to submit the opinion question on the ballot for the
22 2016 regular general election.
23 Special Clauses:
24 None
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26 Be it resolved by the Legislature of the state of Utah:
27 WHEREAS, the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act permits Utah to
28 expand Medicaid eligibility to adults with a household income of less than 138% of the federal
29 poverty level;
30 WHEREAS, if Utah decides to participate in this expansion of eligibility, many Utahns
31 who cannot afford health insurance will be able to obtain necessary medical care, experience
32 better health, and participate more fully in the workforce as productive members of society;
33 WHEREAS, participation in this expansion of eligibility will reduce the cost shifting
34 that occurs when health care providers are forced to raise fees to cover the cost of providing
35 uncompensated health care to uninsured persons in hospital emergency departments and other
36 settings;
37 WHEREAS, the state will only be required to pay a small percentage of the cost of
38 expanding Medicaid eligibility, because the federal government will pay up to 90% of the
39 required cost;
40 WHEREAS, the infusion of federal funds into Utah's economy to expand Medicaid
41 eligibility will stimulate job growth, personal income, and state tax revenues;
42 WHEREAS, as of February 2016, 31 states have expanded Medicaid eligibility in the
43 manner described in this resolution;
44 WHEREAS, expanding Medicaid eligibility in the manner described in this resolution
45 will result in a projected Medicaid enrollment increase, in 2018, of 95,000 individuals at a cost
46 of $12 million in state funds, and the receipt of $438 million in federal funds; and
47 WHEREAS, Section 36-16b-202 provides a process for the Legislature to submit a
48 nonbinding opinion question to the legal voters of Utah in a regular general election:
49 NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature directs the lieutenant
50 governor to submit the following nonbinding opinion question to the legal voters of Utah at the
51 2016 regular general election, to be held on November 8, 2016:
52 "Expanding Medicaid eligibility in Utah, under the federal Patient Protection and
53 Affordable Care Act, for adults with a household income of less than 138% of the federal
54 poverty level (for 2016, this means a yearly income of $16,394 for a single adult and $27,821
55 for a family of three) will result in the provision of medical care, in 2018, to a projected 95,000
56 individuals who may otherwise not be able to afford medical insurance, at a projected cost of
57 $12 million in state funds, and the receipt of $438 million in federal funds.
58 SHOULD UTAH EXPAND ELIGIBILITY FOR THE MEDICAID PROGRAM IN
59 UTAH FOR ADULTS IN THE STATE WHO HAVE A HOUSEHOLD INCOME OF
60 LESS THAN 138% OF THE FEDERAL POVERTY LEVEL AND WHO ARE NOT
61 OTHERWISE ELIGIBLE FOR THE PROGRAM?
62 YES
63 NO"
64 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this resolution be sent to the lieutenant
65 governor, who is hereby directed, in accordance with this resolution and Title 36, Chapter 16b,
66 Nonbinding Statewide Public Opinion Questions, to submit the language of the foregoing
67 opinion question at the 2016 regular general election, to be held on November 8, 2016, to the
68 legal voters of the state for their approval or rejection.
Legislative Review Note
Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel