Was Medicaid the top loser?

When it comes to issues of health and human services, the adage certainly seems to hold true: An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

It's a message that many had hoped would resonate with budget makers during the 2006 legislative session. But looking back on the past 45 days, many say it did not.

Judi Hilman, with the Utah Alliance for Health Policy Solutions and Voices for Utah Children, said the session was largely a disappointment in the human services arena.

"I think so far Medicaid is the big loser here," Hilman said. "With the surplus that we had, this was the time to address long-standing problems."

Problems like the failure to appropriate any monies for dental and vision services for Medicaid patients, which needed nearly $5 million to be fully funded. Though technically considered "optional" services, advocates say they are vital to Medicaid patients' overall health.

"What they should realize by now is when you cut services like those you're asking for folks to make more emergency-room visits," Hilman said. "Those ultimately will drive up costs for the state."

Advocates for the disability community had tried a similar argument with regard to the nearly 2,000-person waiting list for the state Division of Services for People with Disabilities.

The newly formed Disability Community Alliance tried to appeal to lawmakers' economic sensibilities with evidence that early funding of services such as supported employment and respite care for caretakers of disabled Utahns actually saves millions in the long run.

Lawmakers ultimately earmarked $1.6 million for the DSPD list — well short of the $8.2 million needed to fully fund the measure.

"The waiting list and the needs of these individuals and families are not going away," said the Alliance's Andrew Riggle. "We're going to be back next year, but hopefully not the year after that."

However, Medicaid recipients, as well as uninsured and disabled Utahns, did get a little help Wednesday.

Among bills passed by the Senate included one that allows children aging out of the foster care system to retain Medicaid benefits until their 21st birthday and another that increases a state subsidy to encourage low-income workers to participate in employer-sponsored health insurance over Medicaid.

Also on Wednesday, the Senate supported a pilot program to offer pre-employment training, limited workplace support and job coaching for up to 200 Utahns with disabilities currently waiting for assistance.