The information highlighted in Bethany Rodger’s Oct. 9 article on Utah’s medically uninsured children is extremely eye opening. The fact that there are nearly 82,000 Utah children without health insurance is abhorrent. The state should be doing more to encourage those without insurance to seek coverage by educating the public on its programs and resources. Because Utah is a state that does not provide continuous Medicaid enrollment, this leaves children vulnerable to losing health coverage if their parents lose coverage mid-year.
The growing political tensions have also contributed to this issue as many take polarizing stances on immigration, causing many immigrants, including documented ones, to steer clear of potential resources. Seeing that the number of uninsured children has risen with the current presidential administration is truly alarming and highlights a need for change. Only six states allow medical coverage despite immigration status and unfortunately, Utah is not one of them.
Salt Lake County should not settle for being in the top 20 for uninsured children. This lack of coverage is not only putting families in massive amounts of debt, but it is impeding our children’s ability to perform academically. Why our state is not investing in the well-being of its children is truly perplexing. Utah not only needs better avenues for outreach, but also policies that are inclusive of all of its residents. While the Affordable Care Act is polarizing to some, it still can provide coverage to those who really need it. Political ideology should never eclipse our humanity and hopefully the state of Utah will step up and rise to that challenge.
Steven J. Trujillo, Salt Lake City
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