Utah Essential Health Benefits Public Hearing

Ryan Ball

Description

Title:

Utah Essential Health Benefits Public Hearing

Creator:

Ryan Ball

Date:

6/19/2012

Text:

I've previously written about the importance of orthotics and prosthetics being included in the essential health benefits package < <URL Redacted>> in all fifty states. I wanted to highlight that the state of Utah is holding public hearings this week (the first state to do so) to determine what should be included in their essential benefits package to be included in their already setup state-based health exchange. Utah has been a pioneer of sorts with the state-based health exchange concept, an online portal similar to priceline.com where consumers can go to view their subside level and determine which health plan presents them the best option. Utah had already setup a health exchange for small group insurance when Obamacare passed, so they are far ahead of many other states in the planning phase.
No matter how the Supreme Court rules later this month, the state-based health exchange concept is likely to be adopted by many states looking to bring down health costs. On the other hand, if the Supreme Court upholds the controversial health care law, state-based health exchanges will be required in all fifty states with subsides available to those with incomes up to 400% of the federal poverty level; if states choose to drag their feet and not comply with the law, the federal government will come in and setup an exchange for them.
So, ensuring orthotics and prosthetics are included in the Utah essential health benefits package, the minimum plan that can be sold on the health exchanges, cannot be understated. The hearing this week will be almost exclusively devoted to public comment and will run Tuesday from 4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. in room 210 of the Senate Building at the state Capitol complex. It will also be broadcast< <URL Redacted>> live online and at locations across the state - Blanding, Cedar City, Logan, Ogden, Orem, Price, St. George, Tooele and Vernal - where participants can submit comments.
Comments can also be sent to <Email Address Redacted> <mailto:<Email Address Redacted>> through July 3, 2012.
For more information, please contact me directly.

Ryan Ball
OPGA Government Relations
319-236-6868 ~ 319-610-2634
<Email Address Redacted> <mailto:<Email Address Redacted>>
<URL Redacted>





                          

Citation

Ryan Ball, “Utah Essential Health Benefits Public Hearing,” Digital Resource Foundation for Orthotics and Prosthetics, accessed November 24, 2024, https://library.drfop.org/items/show/233789.