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House adopts healthcare freedom resolution urging state flexibility in Medicaid funding
Summary
The House adopted a first substitute concurrent resolution (SCR8) urging federal adherence to federalism principles and exploring alternative ways to receive Medicaid funds; amendment number 1 was adopted and the resolution passed 59–12. Sponsors framed it as seeking state flexibility, opponents registered 12 no votes.
The Utah House on March 7 adopted a first substitute of SCR8, a concurrent resolution described by Sponsor Representative Kennedy as a statement to the federal government urging adherence to federalism principles and encouraging innovative approaches to receive Medicaid funds.
Representative Kennedy moved Amendment No. 1 and said the change addressed committee concerns and improved the resolution. He argued the resolution "is not focused specifically on block grants only or per capita allocation, but in innovative ways, we seek to receive these Medicaid funds so that we can serve our population in a more effective fashion." Kennedy added that the measure affirms the state's interest in directing Medicaid funding in ways consistent with federalism.
There was no recorded floor debate in the transcript beyond the sponsor's explanation and summation. The House voted to adopt the amended first substitute SCR8 by a roll-call tally of 59 yes and 12 no. The resolution will be transmitted to the Senate for further consideration.
Next steps: SCR8, as amended, proceeds to the Senate for consideration; the House sponsor characterized the resolution as an advocacy statement urging flexibility in Medicaid funding arrangements.
