But the homework assignment has been lucrative for members of a legislative Medicaid task force. The health care industry pumped $68,125 into the 2006 campaigns of nine lawmakers on the 11-person panel - about a fifth of their total campaign funds combined.

Most generous: health care providers - hospitals, doctors, dentists and therapists - who contributed $39,325. Manufacturers of pharmaceuticals and nutritional supplements poured $21,200 into campaigns, followed by makers of medical equipment, who gave $7,600.

It's a small sum when compared with what's at stake.

Utah's Medicaid program, government health insurance for the poor, disabled and elderly, is budgeted at $1.2 billion, most of which is spent reimbursing health care providers and nursing homes for care and paying for prescription medicines.

The Medicaid task force is charged with finding savings for the program, which has grown at an average annual rate of 11 percent since 1991 and threatens to consume the state's general fund.

The group meets once more before the start of the 2007 legislative session in January, but no agenda has been posted and lawmakers are mum on their course of action.

Senate committee chairman Sheldon Killpack, R-Syracuse, said "we'll recommend something" but wouldn't elaborate.

Penny-pinching ideas floated at previous hearings have centered on reducing patient benefits, offering scaled back coverage for the young and healthy or skimping on so-called optional services, such as dental and vision care.

With the exception of prescription drugs, lawmakers haven't spent much time scrutinizing whether Medicaid is overpaying on health care.

Medicaid committee member Sen. Allen Christensen, R-North Ogden, is running a bill this year authorizing the state health department to move ahead on a proposal to restrict Medicaid reimbursement to a pre-determined list of drugs.

Such preferred drug lists have proved powerful tools for states in negotiating with pharmaceutical companies for lower prices.

Drug makers oppose the measure, arguing it limits patient choice. But senior health officials and advocates for the poor are still pushing the plan, which they say could save millions of tax dollars.

The fastest growing slice of Utah's budget pie is Medicaid, and the fastest growing Medicaid expenditure is prescription drugs, said Christensen. Driving costs are higher-priced therapies and a growing appetite for the latest, greatest remedies, he said.

Allen wasn't up for re-election this year, but accepted donations from the drug lobby in 2004.

"I was grateful for the money. It spends just fine. I can't fault others for taking it," he said. "But I can fault them if it unduly influences their votes."

Medicaid co-chairman Killpack won't say how he'll vote on the drug list. He amassed $5,250 in pharmaceutical donations.

"I'm not opposed to the idea. But everyone pretends it's a magic bullet," said Killpack. "My fear is if we approve it, we'll pat ourselves on the back thinking we've done something, and neglect deeper reforms."

Sen. Gene Davis, D-Salt Lake City, a vocal critic of the drug list, reaped the most from drug makers, at $8,650.

kstewart@sltrib.com