Group to promote health-care reform

Utah Health Policy Project, a nonpartisan and nonprofit think tank, is planning town meetings beginning Sept. 26 to promote changes in Utah's health-care system by leveraging employer premiums and broadening coverage for Utahns who are currently uninsured.

The group believes the need for health-care reform is most acutely needed to help small businesses, low-income families and ethnic minority communities.

At a monthly planning meeting Thursday, executive director Judi Hilman said she is aware of a "suite of bills" being drafted for the next session of the Utah Legislature, but she expects significant health-care reform will take three years.

More information about the group's objectives and future town meeting schedules are at www.healthpolicyproject.org.