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Utah House debates 'right to shop' health-insurance bill as members press for consumer protections
Summary
Lawmakers debated House Bill 19, which would authorize PEHP and other plans to offer a "savings reward" that shares plan-level savings with consumers who choose lower-cost covered care; members questioned quality safeguards, out-of-network risk, and transparency. A motion to circle failed and further action proceeded on the floor.
Representative Thurston, sponsor of House Bill 19, told the House the bill would legally permit public and private plans to give consumers a share of plan-level savings when they choose lower-cost, covered health care. "This bill is designed squarely to motivate patients in a certain segment of their care to engage," Thurston said, framing the measure as a way to lower long-term costs for the Public Employees Health Program (PEHP) and for taxpayers.
Thurston and supporters cited pilot programs in other states. He said Maine and New Hampshire reported significant savings where similar programs were used and asked the House to allow PEHP to design a flexible program rather than impose detailed mandates. "If PEHP launches this, and nobody does…
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