I'm Voting FOR Prop 3

by YÁNDARY Z. CHATWIN

This year, we, as voters, have the opportunity to vote FOR Proposition 3, which would provide a path to health insurance for 150,000 uninsured Utahns. These are hard-working Utahns who make less than $17,000 a year (for individuals) or less than $34,000 for a family of four. They work at jobs that provide them with just enough to put a roof over their heads and food in their refrigerators, but not much more. These individuals and families have lived in the Medicaid coverage gap for the last five years because our elected officials haven’t passed legislation to fully expand Medicaid in Utah.

Before I tell you why I’m planning to vote FOR Proposition 3, let me define a few terms. The Medicaid coverage gap is that awkward place where you might have a job, but still can’t afford health insurance. You don’t make enough money to buy health insurance on your own or through the federal healthcare marketplace, but you make too much to qualify under the current Medicaid program. Currently, about 150,000 Utahns fall into this Medicaid coverage gap.

Now, to explain Medicaid expansion. When the Affordable Care Act (ACA, often referred to as Obamacare) passed in 2010, it provided a way for states to expand the number of people who qualify for Medicaid coverage. So far, thirty-three of the fifty states have taken advantage of this. The states provide a certain amount of money to fund the program, and the federal government provides matching funds to expand the program.

For more than five years, the state of Utah has had the option to expand healthcare coverage to tens of thousands of uninsured Utahns. But, because our state legislature has failed to pass a full Medicaid expansion bill, Utah has left about $800 million on the table each year since 2013. That’s $800 million in taxpayer money— money you and I already paid. $800 million that should and could be coming back to our state, but isn’t. Instead, our tax dollars are being used to subsidize Medicaid expansion in other states, instead of coming back to Utah to make a difference at home.

If Proposition 3 passes, our state sales tax would increase by 0.15% (that’s about 1 penny for every $7 you spend) to bring in about $90 million in Utah’s contribution. In return, we would receive $800 million in federal funds to provide healthcare coverage to 150,000 of our friends and neighbors. That’s not very much money from each of us, but it will make a world of difference for thousands of families and individuals in our state.

That brings me to why I support Proposition 3. First, for me, this is a humanitarian issue. I firmly believe that every Utahn should have access to quality, affordable healthcare. I am proud to be among the majority of Utahns, from all political persuasions, who believe Proposition 3 needs to pass. Taking care of our neighbors is central to our Utah values and, through passage of Proposition 3, we will be able to do just that.

Several years ago, I had the privilege of meeting Brian Frisby. Brian and his wife, Carol, had been in the Medicaid coverage gap for years. Carol passed away in the summer of 2015 from colon cancer. Because she lacked access to health insurance, she hadn’t been able to afford preventive care, like a colonoscopy— a life-saving procedure that might have made the difference. Brian and Carol became advocates for full Medicaid expansion. But, unfortunately, Carol’s life was cut short before seeing anything come to fruition. It is inconceivable that there was a way for Carol to have access to healthcare. The reason she didn’t get it? Politics. Legislative inaction. Too many Utahns have died while waiting for access to medical coverage. If our legislature hasn’t taken action to fully expand Medicaid, then we, as voters, can take action by voting FOR Proposition 3.

As much as I see this as a humanitarian issue, it is also an economic issue. Providing a way for full Medicaid expansion isn’t only the right thing to do, it’s the fiscally sound thing to do. It is irresponsible for our elected leaders to have walked away from millions of Utah taxpayer dollars that could have helped provide crucial healthcare to thousands of Utahns during the last half decade. We’ve seen our legislature willingly spend money on a public lands lawsuit, a California shipping port, and even on an inland port in Utah. Yet, we haven’t been able to prioritize our most basic human needs.

Nationwide, medical debt remains a top reason for Americans to declare bankruptcy. With access to basic medical coverage and preventive care, 150,000 Utahns will have peace of mind knowing they will no longer be one medical emergency away from bankruptcy. Utah families won’t be forced to the emergency room— and weighed down by unnecessarily high medical bills— to receive preventive care or medical treatment for simple ailments. Proposition 3 will provide needed healthcare coverage for thousands of Utahns and provide a safety net for those who currently cannot afford the most basic medical care. A healthier workforce will be a more stable workforce, and your vote FOR Proposition 3 this year will allow thousands of Utahns to get back on the path to self-reliance.

Proposition 3 will bring financial security to Utah families and bring an economic boost to the state. The Utah Health Policy Project (UHPP) recently released a report that stated Proposition 3, if passed, would create and sustain 140,000 new jobs in Utah. Another UHPP impact study in August showed that Proposition 3 would spur $1.7 billion in economic growth for Utah. And, because 150,000 more patients will have adequate medical coverage, hospitals and medical professionals will be able to receive payment for the crucial services they provide.

Rather than let yet another $800 million slip away, let’s vote FOR Proposition 3. Rather than let one more Utahn die due to lack of access to healthcare, while we have the power to do something about it, let’s vote FOR Proposition 3 this election.

For more information, visit www.utahdecides.org.

Read why another Utah Bee writer is voting against Prop 3.