Sorenson, IHC give $2 million

Dental care for blind, others will be covered

Utah billionaire James Sorenson and Intermountain Healthcare are contributing the $2 million needed to fund dental care for the blind, elderly and disabled, state leaders announced Wednesday.

"We're there," Gov. Jon Huntsman Jr. said during a brief press conference alongside the same legislative leaders who refused to appropriate state funds for Medicaid dental services during a recent special session of the Legislature.

"These have been some very difficult times," Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem, said. Both he and House Speaker Greg Curtis, R-Sandy, praised Sorenson and Intermountain for stepping up to help.

But, while everyone expressed appreciation for Sorensen's and Intermountain's generosity, some lawmakers and state officials questioned the wisdom of soliciting private donations to fund government programs.

Huntsman blamed cuts in the federal budget for the shortfall and said other states were facing similar difficulties in meeting Medicaid needs. Neither he nor the legislative leaders took questions after the announcement.

Last month's special session, however, upset lawmakers who felt the governor deliberately put them in a politically difficult position by forcing them to re-consider funding the dental care program.

It didn't help that lawmakers approved construction of $15 million in new Capitol parking facilities during the same day-long special session, a decision that sparked widespread criticism.

Sorenson, a philanthropist whose business empire was built on real estate investments and medical innovations, said news reports of the lack of funding and Huntsman's efforts convinced him to donate the initial $1 million.

"I'd like to stand by the governor and his desire to help those who have less and need more," he said. "If we can help any more together, let's do it all together."

The $2 million will be matched with $4.8 million in federal funds, all of which will be used to provide emergency dental care to some 40,000 Medicaid beneficiaries.

"This is going to make an incredible difference in their lives," said community activist Pamela Atkinson, who worked with the governor's office to solicit donations prior to the Intermountain contribution.

Intermountain CEO Bill Nelson said the company was "proud and happy" to participate in meeting the needs of vulnerable community members. The state's largest health care network, Intermountain does not provide dental care, he said.

Participants in the fund-raising effort made clear Wednesday it is a temporary fix to the problem and that longer-term solutions to funding necessary medical services must be sought.

As the overseer of the state's Medicaid program, David Sundwall, executive director of the Utah Department of Health, said he opposes funding the government program with private monies.

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