This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2014, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.

Healthy Utah, sick politics — Salt Lake Tribune Editorial

"Gov. Gary Herbert was in a tight spot.

"To his left, a federal law that promised to go a long way toward righting one of the great wrongs of American civilization, our status as the only nation in the civilized world where access to health care is not considered the most basic of public services.

"To his right, a Legislature and Republican Party activists determined to block this development rather than do anything that might give the Affordable Care Act — aka Obamacare — a chance to succeed.

"Herbert's inventive answer to the sick political environment in which he lives is called Healthy Utah. It is a unique alternative to the expansion of the state-federal Medicaid system that was key to the ACA before the U.S. Supreme Court allowed states to opt out.

"The governor rightly says that he hopes the perfect will not be the enemy of the good. That is why his Healthy Utah plan should be approved by the Legislature, even though calling that plan 'good' is a bit of a stretch. ..."

Health Department: No Health Care Expansion Until at Least 2016 — Michael Orton | Utah Political Capitol

Support the Healthy Utah plan — Deseret News Editorial

" ... Abandoning the poor and the needy, apart from being morally irresponsible, isn't a wise use of taxpayer dollars. As Gov. Herbert said in his press conference, 'Turning a blind eye is not the Utah way'. ..."

Healthy Utah has business support — Lane Beattie | For The Deseret News

" ... This solution maximizes the Utah taxpayer dollar, strengthens the competitive, private insurance market and promotes individual accountability by those receiving assistance. Healthy Utah also prevents the state from being left on the hook for providing additional ongoing benefits if the federal government becomes unable or unwilling to hold up its end of the bargain. ..."

— Gov. Gary Herbert unveils his plan for covering Utahns in the health care "gap" — Kristen Moulton | The Salt Lake Tribune

" ... "The governor faces a skeptical Legislature, though, especially after he and lawmakers learned this week that any alternative to expanding traditional Medicaid will cost millions more than previously thought. ..."

"Provide Coverage, Protect the Taxpayer, Promote Individual Responsibility"