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House passes resolution directing executive and legislative leaders to seek coverage‑gap solution
Summary
HCR12 passed 59–16 directing the governor, lieutenant governor, and legislative leaders to work together and with federal officials to pursue a legislative or administrative solution to Utah’s coverage gap; floor debate centered on whether the resolution removes the option of doing nothing.
The Utah House passed HCR12, a concurrent resolution asking the governor, lieutenant governor and legislative leaders to collaborate with the federal government and produce a proposed resolution addressing the state’s health‑coverage gap by a summer target date.
Sponsor Representative Dunigan said the resolution charges executive and legislative leaders to work toward a solution and, if necessary, permits the governor to call a special session in the interim. The measure sets a target of late July for producing a proposed resolution, tied to timing of pending federal litigation that could affect options.
Debate focused on intent language. Representative Anderegg moved to strike lines that declare "doing nothing is not an option," arguing that retaining the option of no action preserved leverage in negotiations; opponents argued language committed the state to pursue solutions for roughly 64,000 Utahns in the coverage gap. Representative Draxler said "doing nothing is not an option" and urged the body to show commitment. The motion to strike those lines failed and the resolution passed 59–16.
Next steps: The resolution directs executive and legislative designees to pursue negotiations and report back; it does not itself appropriate funds or mandate specific policy choices.
