A conservative legislator wants to give Utah a way to avoid swallowing any federal medicine for health-care reform.
"Even if the feds come out with a wonderful plan that is market driven, if it's a federal mandate, I'm opposed," Rep. Carl Wimmer said Monday. "Basically they should keep their hands off -- it's not within their purview."
So the Herriman Republican plans to introduce a bill in the 2010 Legislature that would pave the way to amend the Utah Constitution and allow the state to opt out of federal health-care reform.
Wimmer's goal is lofty -- to amend the Utah Constitution would require two-thirds approval in the state House and Senate and a majority vote of the people.
A few months ago, he launched the Patrick Henry Caucus, which touts states' rights as its core belief.
The group now boasts 30 House and 10 Senate members from the Utah Legislature, along with the support of conservative talk-show host Glenn Beck.
Wimmer's plan is to ensure that Utahns won't be forced to buy health insurance and that small businesses would not be required to provide it.
Earlier this summer, Arizona lawmakers approved a similar measure, which goes on that state's ballot next year. A few other states are talking about following suit.
Senate Minority Leader Pat Jones, D-Holladay, called Wimmer's proposal "premature" and a "knee-jerk reaction that is unnecessary at this time."
She praised President Barack Obama and Congress for diving into the complex issue.
"They've thrown some ideas out and that's part of the process," Jones said. "You work it through, carve out the rough edges and try to make the best plan work."
By opting out of the still-nebulous federal plan, Jones added, the state could forfeit much-needed funding and open itself up to lawsuits.
Meanwhile, some of Utah's federally funded community health centers are turning away 20 to 30 patients a day as the state's uninsured ranks continue to grow.
"I hate to say the doors are shut, but they're limited in accepting new patients," said Alan Pruhs, associate director of the Association for Utah Community Health.
High-risk patients -- including pregnant women and children -- always will be seen, Pruhs said, but a person needing to see a primary provider will have a longer wait.
Wimmer said he has firsthand knowledge of the plight of the uninsured -- his brother, who was in that category, died at age 37 from cancer.
"He was treated out of the generosity and kindness of the Huntsman Cancer Institute," Wimmer said. "He received the best medical care available anywhere in the world, but it wasn't enough, and he passed away."
