Scott Matheson Jr. outlines health plan

Scott Matheson Jr., the Democratic candidate for governor, detailed his plans Friday to improve health care for Utahns, including supporting an initiative to train more nurses.

"The nursing shortage here in Utah is one of the most serious in the United States. I think there's a growing consensus we have to face this shortage," Matheson said in endorsing an initiative to boost the number of faculty in the state's nursing programs.

Utah's higher-education system sought some $2.7 million from the 2004 Legislature to fund the initiative but received only $525,000. Matheson said he is not ready yet to recommend how much money should go to the initiative.

"I don't think this is something that can be done all at once," Matheson said. "We need to take some steps forward to address the need." In a position paper issued Friday, Matheson said the Utah Nursing Association reported 1,500 vacant positions two years ago.

Unlike many states, he said, Utah has men and women who want nursing jobs but can't get the necessary training because of the faculty shortage in the state's nursing schools. Last year, the schools were short 205 faculty members.

His 14-page "Pledge to Quality Health Care" is the latest in a series of position papers released by the campaign. Matheson first tackled education in June and has since addressed the environment, water, children and the elderly. In addition to supporting the nursing initiative in his health-care plan, Matheson proposals include:

• Pooling the purchasing power of Utah and other states to lower prescription drug costs, especially for low-income residents who lack prescription drug insurance coverage. Matheson acknowledged the strategy has been discussed in Utah, but said other states are doing more.

• Pressing for federal reform of Medicare to correct "its confusing and limited coverage of long-term care and prescription drugs" and other inadequacies that force the state to spend money on medical assistance for the elderly that could be used to pay for other needs.

• Promoting public safety through programs for highway safety, emergency preparedness and environmental quality. Matheson said he supports "continued and aggressive efforts to stop drunk drivers."

• Improving mental health care by working to remove the stigma associated with treatment. Matheson said the state should "eliminate the discriminatory distinctions frequently made between mental illnesses and other physical illnesses."

The position paper is available online, at www.mathesonforgovernor.com.

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