After some resistance from leading state lawmakers in recent weeks, the Utah House of Representatives gave Gov. Gary Herbert’s Healthy Utah plan a committee hearing on Wednesday night. But that small triumph for the governor brought major disappointment for him and other proponents of Senate Bill 164 later, when the House Business and Labor Committee shot it down by a 9-4 vote, effectively ending any hope for the proposal.
However, another proposal from House Majority Leader Jim Dunnigan did earn approval from the committee in the same meeting. House Bill 446, known as the Utah Cares bill, would cover less than half the number of low-income Utahns that would have been covered under Healthy Utah. Initially it would cost the state more money, but it seeks to avoid more stringent federal requirements that come with federal aid.
The issue has put the House at odds with the Senate, which had already passed Healthy Utah. On Thursday, Senate President Wayne Niederhauser wasn’t sure how the Senate would proceed with the Utah Cares proposal if they’re given a chance to hear it.
“I was at the committee hearing last night, watched the Senate bill go down in flames [laughs], and then Utah Cares passed out. There hasn’t been any discussion on that, at least in the Senate. We’ll wait to see what the House can pass out of the House and we’ll deal with it when it comes this way,” Niederhauser said.
In a press conference on Thursday afternoon, Herbert said he’s still willing to work with the House on Utah Cares or a bill that combines the two plans, but he still maintains that Healthy Utah is the best approach for the state.
“I think that Healthy Utah is by far, in comparison, the best option we have out there. But I’m going to look for a way for us to, in fact, come together, because unless we come together, we won’t have anything,” Herbert said.
Herbert added that he would be willing to call a special session to resolve the matter, which may be necessary if lawmakers can’t come to an agreement before the end of the general session next week.