United Way to unveil its health reform plan
The United Way, the Governor's Office of Economic Development and the Salt Lake Chamber have been working with about 130 business, government and community leaders for several months on reform. It remains a work in progress a proposal for the Legislature might be ready by November but Jason Perry, executive director of GOED, told the Business and Labor Interim Committee that it will be "a private-sector approach that would be industry-driven" and "something meaningful."
John T. Nielsen, director of GOED's Health Insurance Exchange, said the idea of a "connector" or "exchange" to solve insurance woes could take up to two years to put into effect, with the formation of a private, not-for-profit corporation getting a logistical and financial jump-start from state government.
But that did not please Rep. Jim Dunnigan, R-Taylorsville.
"If we're putting in tax dollars to get it started and the governor is appointing the directors, it's starting to sound like a government entity," Dunnigan said. "I don't care if it's a nonprofit corporation, but using tax dollars, the governor appointing the people and requests for legislation to get it going, if it walks, talks and smells like a bureaucracy, it is a bureaucracy."
Nielsen said various proposals from across the country have been considered. "As a result of all of these studies and consultations, we have concluded that the exchange or connector concept, coupled with other fundamental reforms, offers to the state the very best prospect of comprehensive reform going forward, without resorting to some sort of government-sponsored health care."
He described the connector as a way to facilitate the buying and selling of insurance, giving people a one-stop shop to get the information they need to understand health-care alternatives. The connector would assemble comparisons for insurance coverage. And instead of having an employer-sponsored health plan, the connector would be designated as the health plan and employer and employee contributions would be pooled to pay the insurance plan.
While legislators wondered if the Utah exchange proposal would be similar to a system used in Massachusetts, Natalie Gochnour, co-chair of the Health Care Working Group of the United Way of Salt Lake's Financial Stability Council, said she would characterize it "as uniquely Utahn."
Without providing much detail, she said Monday's announcement will be about the "building blocks" for reform, involving guiding principles and an insurance exchange with a lot of competition incorporated.
Recent comments
Let's get the government involved in health care. Great idea. It...
Bad Deal | Nov. 12, 2007 at 5:14 p.m.
- 3 reservations get money for water 11:51 p.m.
- Stop-sign thief mails $600 check 11:50 p.m.
- Officer dragged by fleeing suspect 11:49 p.m.
- World datelines 11:40 p.m.
- Corroon and council compromise 11:39 p.m.
- Climate talks show poverty gap 11:37 p.m.
- Photo: Holy tree stump? 11:36 p.m.
- New cry rises in Tehran protests 11:29 p.m.
- Worst violence in Iraq since pullback 11:23 p.m.
- Admiral warns of arms race in Asia 11:05 p.m.
- Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
- Utah's top 10: Wealth of recreation
- Restaurant destroyed by fire
- Send Boozer to the Bulls?
- MWC, WAC rushed into BCS
- O'Connor unhappy Fes not with team
- Jazz in back of line for free agents
- Keeping golf light on the wallet
- Fatigued Jazz no match for Pacers
- Teen injured in fall from waterfall
- Bronco collecting a galaxy of recruits
138 - Letters: Palin mistreated
136 - Teachers struggle with district cuts
134 - Blazers may offer Millsap a contract
121 - 'Tea party' protesters unhappy
107 - Fairness of BCS debated
81 - Stadium of Fire lights up the 4th
79 - Send Boozer to the Bulls?
78 - Moon landing: Let's hear from you
73 - Chaffetz eyes challenging Bennett
72
Through the years, I've always raised eyebrows whenever I tell people...
The photographs are mysterious, brooding, dark. They show dimples and...
This is good move because the contract is only for 2 years. He turns 31 and...
Let's just retire the Stadium of Fire, it is truly out of control...imho!
"reformed repub": "her rightful place?" Is this now an aristocracy where...
Do you really think they would have the bowl system and then distribute the...
To Idea: Seize the property? You must be a democrat. Isn't there enough...
If the Property Company is waiting for the Economy to show signs of renewal...
The Northern Virginia suburbs of Washington, DC were deserted since everyone...
and, most importantly, Glenn Beck cried. I was moved.
You thought AK was a lightweight? Thomas is the same height and even...
I recall hanging with a couple thousand buddies, saying, "Dude! Don't go into...


