Utah is the youngest state in the U.S., with only about 11 percent of its population at 65 or older. Older Utahns are projected to represent 22.8 percent of the state’s population by 2060, however. Geriatric leaders discussed options to ensure this growing population has the resources needed to thrive at the 2024 Utah State … Read more
Dr. Leisha Nolen, state epidemiologist at the Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), and Carrie Butler, executive director of the Utah Public Health Association, discussed public health issues at the 2024 Utah State of Reform Health Policy Conference in March. Nolen said there is currently mistrust in public health authority. “[To improve public … Read more
Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) Deputy Director Nate Checketts discussed the department’s challenges, successes, and priorities during the 2024 Utah State of Reform Health Policy Conference in March. In the past four years, DHHS has seen many significant changes and challenges, Checketts said. In 2020, the department implemented Medicaid expansion and dealt … Read more
Improving the healthcare consumer experience requires education, advocacy, and systemic change, according to experts who discussed the issue at the 2024 Utah State of Reform Health Policy Conference last month. Maury Giles, chief growth officer at Heart and Mind Strategies, said his company examined national data from a variety of stakeholder groups—including policymakers, patients, providers, … Read more
While many states have faced rural hospital closures due to financial issues, Utah has not had any since 2005. Despite this, Utah’s rural healthcare system still struggles with staff shortages and a lack of resources. Experts discussed these challenges at the 2024 Utah State of Reform Health Policy Conference last month. Dr. Matthew McCullough, rural … Read more
The Utah Executive Appropriations Committee (EAC) released its draft budget for the 2025 fiscal year, and the allocated funding for affordable housing and homeless services is significantly less than Gov. Spencer Cox’s budget recommendation. In December, Cox released his budget recommendations, which allocated $45.5 million for affordable housing, $193 million for alleviating homelessness, and $150 … Read more
A bill that would create the Utah Behavioral Health Commission has passed the Senate and was favorably recommended by the House Health and Human Services Committee on Tuesday. On Wednesday, the bill was returned to the House Rules Committee due to its fiscal impact. The current fiscal note for Senate Bill 27, sponsored by Sen. … Read more
A bill that would allow the Utah Department of Corrections and Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to work with prisons in order to continue medication assisted treatment (MAT) for incarcerated individuals who had been receiving MAT prior to incarceration passed its third reading in the Senate on Tuesday. Senate Bill 212 is sponsored … Read more
A bill aimed to make infertility treatment coverage a permanent benefit for public Utah employees has passed both the House and the Senate. A draft of the enrolled bill was prepared in the Office of Legislative Research and General Counsel last week. If passed, Senate Bill 35, sponsored by Sen. Luz Escamilla (D-Salt Lake County) … Read more
On Jan.1st, the Utah Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) opened applications for the new State Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), which expands CHIP eligibility benefits for children under 19 who are not US citizens. Lawful permanent residents in the US are generally able to receive Medicaid or CHIP benefits after a five-year waiting … Read more