Increased funding for health center OK'd

A bill to increase funding for the Center for Multicultural Health and expand its mission recieved final Senate approval Tuesday.

SB201, sponsored by Sen. Chris Buttars,R-West Jordan, moves to the House after the 20-6 vote.

The center was created last year with a $60,000 budget. Buttars' bill would increase its funding to $300,000 as an ongoing appropriation subject to future budget constraints.

Sen. Curt Bramble, R-Provo, who was among those voting against advancing Buttar's bill, later said it was a budgetary issue. He said he supported creating the center last session, and might consider a smaller fiscal note.

"I think the concept is fine," Bramble said. "I'm looking at prioritizing where we need to

spend money."

Buttars said his bill is simply, "a little bit of help to an organization that has really noble aspirations to serve the health disparities of minorities."

"It will be a fight," Buttars acknowledged since there's only $2 million set aside for bills such as his, with a "low note."

"This cultural center will save us money, a ton," he said. "Those people who can't find care . . . where do they end up? In the emergency room."