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Utah House Passes Comprehensive Health System Reform Bill, 62-13, After Floor Amendments
Summary
The Utah House on Feb. 16 passed HB 294, a package of health system reform measures that standardizes exchange plan offerings, requires greater price transparency and includes a 2013 trigger for a statewide risk-adjuster if insurers don’t 'play fair.' The bill passed 62-13 after multiple amendments and extended floor debate.
The Utah House of Representatives approved House Bill 294, a broad health system reform package, on Feb. 16 after extended floor debate and several amendments. The final vote was 62 in favor and 13 opposed.
Representative David Clark, sponsor of HB 294, said the bill is aimed at controlling health-care costs while expanding consumer choice. "There is no mandate on any employer or any individual," Clark said on the floor, stressing the bill preserves choice while adding regulatory guardrails. He repeatedly emphasized the principle "trust but verify" when describing a provision that would allow a statewide risk-adjuster to be implemented in 2013 if carriers fail to offer comparable plans and prices inside and outside the exchange.
The bill, as amended on the floor, requires insurers offering products in the state exchange to: - Offer a baseline set of benefit…
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