Utah passes bill to expand Medicaid to low-income uninsured adults

The Utah legislature last week approved legislation to expand Medicaid eligibility to about 16,000 low-income uninsured adults in fiscal year 2017. Gov. Gary Herbert is expected to sign the bill, which prioritizes individuals who are chronically homeless, in the criminal justice system but not incarcerated, or need behavioral health treatment. As a pilot project, behavioral health care will be integrated through Medicaid accountable care organizations. Expansion will be paid through the traditional Medicaid sharing formula, with the federal government funding 70% of the program’s cost. Hospitals will fund 45% of the state’s share of the costs through an additional hospital assessment. Utah Hospital Association President and CEO Greg Bell said, “This limited expansion was what was politically possible. Hospitals truly want to help the homeless, chronic substance abusers, and those coming out of prison. This bill will greatly aid us in doing so.”