CHIP benefits may mirror other insurance programs

A measure to make the state's insurance program for low- income children more like commercial products passed a Senate committee Tuesday.

HB218, sponsored by Rep. James Dunnigan, R-Taylorsville, would slightly increase deductibles and co-payments for many of the families on the Children's Health Insurance Program.

Current CHIP benefits, which haven't been modified since the program was established in 1998, are "very rich," Dunnigan said. HB218, he said, "implements just a little bit more cost sharing" so the program can serve more children.

Changes will be different for families at different income levels, with the very poorest Utah families facing very little increases, Dunnigan said.

In response to concerns by advocates for the poor and the Utah Department of Health, Dunnigan has agreed to a phase-in of the changes. Ultimately, in July 2008, benefits will mirror the state's "most commonly sold commercial product," which, right now, is SelectHealth.

Intermountain Healthcare's health-insurance company recently unveiled two new plans for Utahns between the ages of 2 weeks and 18 years old.

The health department is now fully supportive of HB218, executive director David Sundwall said Tuesday.

Only two members of the Senate Business and Labor Committee attended Tuesday morning's meeting. Both voted in favor of sending the bill to the full Senate for consideration. HB218 previously passed the House with a vote of 53-17.