Letter: Medicaid expansion will be good for Utah
(Rick Bowmer | The Associated Press) In this June 27, 2017, file photo, people march during a protest against the Republican bill in the U.S. Senate to replace President Barack Obama's health care law, in Salt Lake City. Utah officials aren't making any changes to their plans to expand Medicaid and institute a work requirement, despite a federal judge halting a similar effort in Kentucky in June 2018. State Medicaid Director Nathan Checketts said Wednesday, July 11, 2018, the state was awaiting approval for its proposal from the federal government and wouldn't change course unless directed to do so.
In response to the article “Utah cancels partial Medicaid expansion request after expansion passes,” I believe this is a great thing for Utah.
There are many low-income families who cannot afford health care, and this expansion will provide an estimated 150,000 low-income Utahns with health care coverage. We as a community cannot stand back and allow our low-income individuals to struggle with their health because they simply cannot afford to pay.
I, as a working citizen, am completely OK with a sales tax increase if more people are going to be covered. This is a cause, to me, that should have more priority over other issues we have in Utah. So, I am more than happy to pay a higher sales tax if it means that more Utahns will receive health care coverage.
I have been in a position where I refused to go to the clinic or hospital because I did not have the money at the time and would not have the money in the future. It was hard. If I missed work, I could not afford my obligations, but I couldn’t work because I was too sick. No one should have to deal with that.
Bridgette Stanfield, Salt Lake City
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