Now there's a hold on a paltry $174,000 of the state's hefty revenue surplus that was supposed to provide eyeglasses and eye exams to 60,000 of the state's poorest residents. And what can be done about it? Nothing, say the Republican idealogues who run this state on a business-first set of priorities that says somewhere down the line the poor will benefit. But, somehow, they never do.

Imagine the elderly or disabled who can no longer see well enough to read a prescription bottle, let alone enjoy a newspaper. Or the children who need glasses to read a book. It's unconscionable that five years have elapsed with no relief for them, first because money was tight, and then, during the past two years of plenty, because compassion has been even tighter.

The Legislature cut vision benefits for Medicaid patients in 2003, citing budget shortfalls. Last year, with a budget surplus, legislators failed to restore the benefits. This year, legislators allocated enough money for just one year, but upped the required co-payment to $10 to cushion the cost to taxpayers. The federal government, which sets a $3 cap on co-payments required of the poorest beneficiaries, rejected the Utah plan.

Advocates for the poor believe that, since the co-pay was written as "intent language" in the budget bill, Huntsman should be able to authorize the change. Agencies providing other services funded in the bill, such as road construction, can make changes between legislative sessions, they reasonably argue.

But Senate President John Valentine said a new plan will require action by the full Legislature in 2008. Then the federal government must approve it. That means more than another year that the poor will continue to wait, if benefits are forthcoming at all.

Unlike the millionaires, Medicaid patients are powerless. But legislators and the governor are elected to represent them as well.

No poor Utahn should have to wait years to be able to see. Call a special session. Do it by executive order. Get a federal waiver. Just do it.