Washington » Utah's federal lawmakers have voted against health reform at every step, but that doesn't mean they oppose the entire legislation.

Actually, the fingerprints of Sen. Orrin Hatch and Rep. Jim Matheson are all over several of the more obscure, but still significant provisions tucked deep in these massive bills.

Consider this: If health reform becomes law, the government will require chain restaurants to post nutritional information on menus, courtesy of Matheson, a Democrat, and sex-education programs in many high schools will continue teaching abstinence, thanks to Hatch, a Republican.

While the purpose of health reform is to control growing costs, cover the uninsured and stop onerous insurance practices, the House and Senate bills stray into other areas with members of Congress pushing their own ideas, some of which are only tangentially tied to insurance or the medical system.

One such provision, championed by Sen. Jeff Merkely, D-Ore., would require companies to give nursing mothers reasonable workday breaks to pump breast milk for up to a year after their baby was born and the company would have to provide a private place other than a bathroom for them to use.

The Senate bill also includes new nursing home requirements that would place government inspections online, publicly identify the owners and boost penalties for violating federal regulations.

Another section of the bill creates a new Ready Reserve Corps, which would be a group of medical professionals that responds to national emergencies.

Here is a summary of four provisions that Matheson or Hatch helped add to the health reform bills:

Restaurant menu requirements » Earlier this year, Matheson proposed the "Lean Act," which would require chain restaurants to prominently display nutritional information, such as calorie counts and fat content, for each of their menu items.

Some states and cities have already required restaurants to do this, but Matheson's bill would set a national standard making it easier for chain restaurants to comply.

It wasn't a unique idea. Another House member introduced a similar bill, as had two senators. The four members of Congress came together and negotiated a compromise that appears to have the restaurant industry's support. And now it is attached to both the House and Senate version of health reform.

Under this compromise, any restaurant with at least 20 locations must comply with the national labeling requirement. The proposal gives a little latitude on items that will not always be uniform, such as the amount of French fries in a container.

Vending machines also must post nutritional info on each snack or soda.

Matheson said it made sense to attach this proposal to health reform.

"I think obesity is such a challenging issue for this country," he said. "I think giving consumers good information is one step we can take to encourage better decision-making."

Abstinence » A number of studies have cast some serious doubt about the effectiveness of abstinence-only sex education and as a result, congressional Democrats -- who have bristled at the program for years -- cut off all federal funding.

But then Hatch stepped in. During a committee health reform debate, he cited his own supportive studies and proposed an amendment restoring $50 million for the controversial program for the next five years. It passed with the help of two Democrats -- Sens. Blanche Lincoln, from Arkansas, and Kent Conrad, from North Dakota -- much to the chagrin of Senate liberals.

"I sure do not want the abstinence education to be short-changed," Hatch said during the hearing.

The committee passed a second amendment supported by the Democratic chairman that created a separate $50 million program for comprehensive sex-ed, which combines information about abstinence, sexually transmitted diseases and contraceptives.

As the Senate nears a final vote, both programs remain in the legislation.

Elder Abuse » Hatch and Lincoln teamed up on another proposal that has now become part of the larger health reform bill. They call it the Elder Justice Act.

The act would provide new grants for adult protective services, boost penalties for failing to report abuse at nursing homes and require the government to start collecting data on elder abuse so it can be tracked.

Hatch and Lincoln have introduced a version of this bill for at least nine years. It has received support at the committee level, but not much beyond that.

Its inclusion may have more to do with Lincoln than Hatch, since she is a moderate Democrat facing a tough reelection fight, who has occasionally been skeptical about the health reform bill.

More generic drugs » Both House and Senate versions would pave the way for generic versions of biologic drugs, such as gene therapies. While the average drug is based on a chemical, these biologics are made of complex organic structures.

Hatch was a key player in creating the modern genetics industry and he was once again in the center of these negotiations, which give the maker of biologic drugs 12 years of market dominance before a competitor could produce a generic.

Some Democrats, including President Barack Obama, had originally pushed for a seven-year cap.

mcanham@sltrib.com