IHC escaped more heavy-handed legislative interference - a proposed tax and forced divestiture of its insurance business - but lawmakers still hold the threat of future action over the nonprofit health care organization.

Senate Bill 61, given final legislative approval Tuesday, sets up a two-year, $300,000, 15-member task force of lawmakers charged with reviewing the definition of "charity care," state antitrust policies and the impact of splitting companies that manage hospitals and insurance plans.

Legislators added to the list of study items Tuesday: Medicaid and other government health-care services, patient choice and "willing provider" laws. IHC is not mentioned in the bill by name.

Lawmakers insist they simply are reviewing the health care industry in Utah.

"I've been frustrated over the years about trying to get down to the bottom of some of these questions," said Rep. Becky Lockhart, R-Provo, who serves on the board of an HCA Morningstar hospital.

"Maybe we'll find we need to do something," she said. "Then again, maybe we'll find we don't need to do anything. Let's get out there and get some answers to these questions."

But IHC supporters say the nonprofit is being bullied.

"Everything should be laid out on the table so we can get it right once and for all that this company is doing it right and they are successful because of their good business practices," said Provo Republican Rep. Stephen Clark, who sits on an IHC board.