Â鶹ŮÓÅ

Utahns who could have received health care if the Legislature had expanded Medicaid in the past two years again pleaded with lawmakers to take action — although the action they appear most likely to take would cover only the poorest Utahns while leaving tens of thousands without health coverage. HB437, House Majority Leader Jim Dunnigan's proposal to expand Medicaid, released Wednesday, was aimed at providing coverage to 16,000 of the poorest Utahns who are uninsured. (Gehrke, 2/24)

Utah's House speaker has once again put his foot down when it comes to Medicaid expansion, but Utahns are still asking for broader access than what one popular bill would provide. House Majority Leader Jim Dunnigan, R-Kearns, has proposed HB437 to expand coverage to the poorest in Utah, specifically childless adults who are chronically homeless and who find themselves in and out of the justice system for various reasons, but never get proper treatment for recurrent mental health issues because of a lack of access to proper health care. (Leonard, 2/24)

A conservative group that opposes Medicaid expansion is upping the ante in its campaign against Gov. Dennis Daugaard’s plan to expand the program. Americans for Prosperity plans to run a television ad critical of the governor’s proposal during Thursday’s Republican presidential debate, which takes place in Houston and airing on CNN. The ad’s timing aims at having maximum effect by mobilizing Republicans who will likely be watching. (Ellis, 2/24)