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Senate debates resolution urging federal Medicaid block grant; floor splits over risks to vulnerable populations
Summary
Senators debated SCR 8, a concurrent resolution asking the federal government to provide Medicaid funding as a block grant so Utah can redesign and manage Medicaid locally. Supporters argued for state flexibility; opponents warned block grants historically underfund programs and could harm children and people with disabilities.
Senator Hemmert introduced first substitute SCR 8, a concurrent resolution asking the federal government to provide Medicaid funding through a block grant so states could redesign Medicaid and exercise more local control. "This is a request that the federal government give the state of Utah its money," Hemmert said, framing the measure as a federalism argument and a response to federal program complexity.
Opponents on the floor raised practical concerns about rate-setting and adequacy. "I have some real concern about adopting a block grant program," said Senator Davis, noting that block…
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