This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2017, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
On May 4, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass a new health care act. This bill would remove current protections for people living with substance use disorders, mental illness and those at risk for suicide.
Utah is now ranked the fifth highest state in the nation for suicide; there are currently 500-600 suicides a year here and, since 2008, the rate has been steadily climbing. Suicide is the leading cause of death for our youth.
Though our Utah congressional representatives have repeatedly stated that they are concerned about suicide in Utah, it is clear from their votes on May 4 that our House representatives are more concerned with partisan politics. I am waiting to see how our representatives in the Senate will vote on this bill but — from experience since the inauguration of the current administration — it seems clear that statements of concern for issues affecting constituents carry little weight any more.
Hillary Coon
Salt Lake City