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House passes health-system reform measure including data-sharing, enrollment fixes and study of a basic health plan
Summary
Second-substitute HB144, passed by the House, authorizes data-sharing between the all-payer claims database and the Utah Health Exchange, directs Medicaid enrollment simplifications, permits a privately funded actuarial analysis for a basic health plan, revises CHIP dental benchmarks, and reauthorizes the health reform task force.
The Utah House voted to approve a second-substitute to House Bill 144 on Feb. 24, advancing a package of health-system reforms that includes data-sharing provisions, enrollment fixes and a study of options under federal health reform.
Representative Dunnegan, the bill sponsor, told members the bill allows the all-payer claims database and the Utah Health Exchange to share certain data for prospective and retrospective risk adjustment, clarifies simplified Medicaid enrollment rules and authorizes an actuarial analysis — funded by private sector parties — to determine whether Utah should adopt a federally authorized basic health plan. Dunnegan said no state money is appropriated for the actuarial study.
The bill also amends the benchmark for the CHIP dental program to limit orthodontic coverage to cases that are medically necessary, allows dental and vision policies on the exchange after study and consultation, and adjusts insurance-producer disclosure rules to require only initial compensation disclosure (not renewal disclosure). The measure adds incentives for workplace wellness programs and directs the legislature to determine the essential health benefit benchmark if the federal government offers a default.
Dunnegan emphasized reauthorization of the health system reform task force and new duties for that body. Members asked a small number of technical questions during floor consideration; summation was waived and the second substitute passed the House 71–0. The bill will be transmitted to the Senate for consideration.
