Funding to aid low income hailed

Lawmakers may have poured millions upon millions into roads, but some advocates who championed the cause for the low-income population, the sick and the homeless are dancing in the streets because of their success this session.

"I think this has been one of our best years for low-income advocacy," Judi Hilman of Utah Issues said. "Overall, I think it has been a great year," with new money directed at community health centers, assistance for people with bleeding disorders and funding to get some people with disabilities off the state waiting list for services.

That money going to the state Division of Services for People with Disabilities — $1 million — represents the first time in three years lawmakers have been able to wiggle out of a tight budget and fund that list, which has more than 1,600 people waiting.

In addition, lawmakers agreed to the creation of a new grant program that will have $250,000 available for people who suffer from bleeding disorders and rack up exorbitant bills.

The grants, administered by the Department of Health, will help sufferers with the high costs of insurance and medication, which typically run into six figures on an annual basis.

While reluctant at first, the Legislature did step up to allocate $2 million to mental health centers across the state to ease the pain of a federal funding shortfall.

Advocates initially sought at least $3 million so services to up to 4,300 non-Medicaid-eligible residents would not be eliminated, but they were grateful to walk away with what they did.

"It is so great that they heard our plea," Hilman said. "They understand that the federal government is making a big mistake, but that is no reason to blame consumers for what is going on."

Lawmakers also appropriated $500,000 each to two programs that target homelessness by getting people into transitional housing or helping with household emergencies that could kick people to the streets.

The Primary Care Grants, which support community health centers, received an infusion of nearly $400,000, which Hilman termed as one of the session's "sweetest victories."

The community clinics are often the only place where the uninsured can get access to preventative health services.

Other measures which passed include a proposal to take $3.3 million from the state tobacco settlement fund to provide insurance to 12,000 children.