Letter: Why do Utah lawmakers get insurance?
(Francisco Kjolseth | Tribune file photo) A group faces the House chambers at the Utah Capitol on Jan. 28, 2019, on the first day of the Legislative session to rally in support of protecting Proposition 3, the Medicaid Expansion law recently passed by voters.
Can someone please help me understand why legislators who meet certain qualifications get free or low-cost health insurance? Can someone also help me understand why these same legislators do not want to provide minimum health insurance to those who meet certain income guidelines, as per voter-approved Proposition 3?
We, as taxpayers, provide this insurance for many legislators and past legislators. We demonstrated our commitment to pay taxes so those who meet income guidelines can also have some insurance. It would not have been as comprehensive as that which we pay for qualifying legislators to have. It would have been something, as per Proposition 3.
If all low-income people, as defined by Proposition 3, cannot have health insurance, legislators and past legislators should not have taxpayer-paid health insurance, either.
Karen I. Silver, West Valley City
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