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House makes medically complex children waiver permanent, sponsor says program has served hundreds
Summary
The House voted 65‑4 on Feb. 7 to approve a first substitute to HB 100, which would make an existing medically complex children waiver a permanent program; sponsor said the pilot served about 580 children and averaged roughly $322 per child per month.
The Utah House on Feb. 7 approved a first substitute to House Bill 100 to make permanent the medically complex children with disabilities waiver program, forwarding the measure to the Senate after a 65‑4 vote.
Representative Ed, the sponsor, told members the pilot waiver — enacted three years earlier — provided support to families caring for children with complex medical needs such as tracheostomies, feeding tubes and intractable seizures. "We've served up to 580 kids," the sponsor said, and characterized the program as cost‑effective: he said the waiver averaged about $322 per person per month while institutionalization could cost roughly $150,000 per year.
Representative Ed said the substitute makes the waiver ongoing, gives the Department of Health flexibility to determine eligibility, prioritizes enrollment based on medical complexity and family financial need, and asks the department to develop a plan to address potential funding reductions during economic downturns. He also said the waiver enabled local education authorities and other agencies to draw down federal matching funds, which strengthened services for families and local programs.
The House recorded that First Substitute House Bill 100 "having received 65 yay votes and 4 nay votes, passes the House and will be referred on to the Senate for their consideration."
