This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2013, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
The Affordable Care Act is designed to provide all Americans with a path to health insurance. Starting in January, nearly 60,000 Utah residents can get tax credits to help them afford this insurance.
But unless Utah accepts the federal dollars set aside for the state to fully participate in Medicaid, some Utahns with lower incomes will fall into a "coverage gap." That means they won't get any help toward their health insurance costs, while many with higher incomes will.
Without the Medicaid expansion, a tax credit to buy health insurance is available to a mom and dad with two kids bringing in $90,000 a year, but there's nothing for a single working mom making $12,000.
It doesn't make sense for the governor and the Legislature to turn down federal funds that have already been set aside for our state. Many people who will fall into the coverage gap are working parents. Expanding the program would also help kids, since the entire family could get covered and stay healthy together.
Let's expand Medicaid now. Utah should have laws that are fair to everyone and that don't play favorites.
Kathleen Murphy
Chair, Voices for Utah Children
Murray