Correction: A headline over a legislative story in Tuesday's Tribune incorrectly indicated lawmakers were not making Medicaid and children's health care top priorities. While the Children's Health Insurance Program and dental benefits to Medicaid patients were down on the list, Medicaid funding and health care for children aging out of foster care were at the top.

Expanding health care coverage for children, poor.

Next step: Goes to the Legislature's main budget committee.

Expansion of the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and restoration of vision and dental benefits to Medicaid patients may take a backseat this year to higher priorities, including moving people off the state's 1,800-person disabilities waiting list.

The Health and Human Services budget committee on Monday recommended that the Division of Services for People with Disabilities receive $2 million - for the second year in a row - to move between 400 and 420 people off its waiting list.

Members also heeded the Utah Department of Health's pleas to give an additional $270,000 to the state Medical Examiner's Office, which is struggling to keep pace with a fast-growing workload.

Expansion of CHIP, however, made it about midway on the list of 40 or so programs. The committee decided on $2 million for the program - about half of the amount requested by Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr.

Restoring optional dental and vision benefits to Medicaid enrollees also made it halfway down the list, despite strong objections of some lawmakers who wanted it higher.

lrosetta@sltrib.com