SALT LAKE CITY (ABC4 News) – The push to repeal Utah’s voter-approved Proposition 3 for Medicaid expansion went up for a committee vote in the Utah House Wednesday.
The House Business and Labor Committee voted nine-to-six to give S.B. 96 a favorable recommendation.
The committee also approved an amendment to eliminate the automatic expiration of the program if a federal waiver for the program is denied.
The bill, which has already passed the Utah State Senate, would expand Medicaid to Utahns who live at or below 100% of the federal poverty level. However, Prop 3 expands Medicaid to 138% of the federal poverty level.
Opponents of the bill say lawmakers are ignoring the will of voters, who passed Proposition 3 last November.
Supporters of the bill say the state can’t afford Prop 3 and, even though this bill will cost more up front, it’s more sustainable in the long run.
