Lawmakers concerned about Medicaid expansion ballot plan

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah lawmakers expressed concern this week about the possibility that voters could expand Medicaid after years of debate at the Legislature.

The initiative poised to make the November ballot would eventually cost the state about $47 million more than a smaller expansion passed by lawmakers that still needs federal approval, according to a legislative analysis.

The ballot-initiative plan would also bring back $535 million more in federal subsidies than the bill approved by lawmakers, the analysis found.

Still, the larger cost to the state was concerning for several lawmakers who met Thursday to discuss the issue the week before it's expected to be certified to get on the ballot.

Read more: https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900019733/lawmakers-concerned-about-medicaid-expansion-ballot-plan.html