From Deseret News archives:
Goal is to make Utah insurance, medical costs affordable for all
Business leaders take aim at health care
Those are some key numbers regarding health-system legislation that will be considered at the upcoming legislative session. The bill's sponsor, House Majority Leader David Clark, R-Santa Clara, told a group Thursday that it will feature a three-year plan with six major steps but could take up to 10 years to fully put in place.
The bill's text has not been made public, but Clark told attendees at the Wasatch Front Economic Forum that the measure will be "a path."
"My intent is to implement a plan that will move Utah's health-insurance system to a consumer-driven health-care market," he said, adding that the ultimate goals are to "contain costs, enhance access and improve quality."
The foundation of the plan will be personal accountability and market solutions, he said. "This is not socialized medicine. It does not change Uncle Sam into Dr. Sam. We have got to find market solutions, and there's going to be an increased individual accountability."
"The solutions to the problems that we are facing are not going to be without pain," Clark said. "What we have tried to do from a legislative standpoint is provide a shared pain ... In some of these cases, it may be impacting somebody's wallet. Right now, we are dramatically impacting the wallets of businesses, both the employer and employee, across the state when it comes to health care."
Reform proponents have met with insurance, hospital and other industry stakeholders. "All are willing participate," he said. "Everybody has kind of raised their hand and stood and said, 'I'm willing to take my dose of medicine' a real pun intended but we need to find how we share this across the scale."
Michael Stapley, president and chief executive officer of Deseret Mutual Benefits Association and moderator of the event's health-system reform panel Thursday, described a long list of reform proposals dating back to the 1970s. Some yielded "substantive" results, but the main problems continue, he said.
Clark, however, said employers' "pain level" has forced movement on the issue. "I think that's what's different right now," he said. "These are becoming, 'Do I succeed and survive or not?"'
Recent comments
This healthcare plan for the insurance companies,
to make more...
Tammi Diaz | Jan. 11, 2008 at 11:49 a.m.
The biggest problem in health care today is that government decided...
jeremykidd | Jan. 11, 2008 at 7:55 a.m.
- At 6-5, hard time arguing firing Weis 12:24 p.m.
- $27M transfer for state Route 193 12:20 p.m.
- 'Christmas With King Family' DVD 12:16 p.m.
- Youn men help fill food-pantry needs 12:15 p.m.
- Who is Oprah's heir apparent? 11:39 a.m.
- Florida No. 1, TCU 4 in AP Top 25 11:34 a.m.
- Fed under fire, public anger mounts 11:28 a.m.
- No quagga mussels at Bear Lake 11:27 a.m.
- Former health chief: Ignore guideline 11:11 a.m.
- Sen. moderates frustrate other Dems 10:57 a.m.
- Glenn Beck to enter politics?
- BYU records with win
- Police link alcohol to murder
- Jazz outlast Pistons in overtime
- Utah Utes whip SDSU
- Cougars turn focus to dreaded rivals
- Former BYU professor remembered
- Y. coach Hill up for Portland State job
- Cougars put the fun back in football
- Kirilenko heating up for the Jazz
- Buttars wants to limit gay rights laws
194 - Palin plans tour stop in Utah
173 - Glenn Beck to enter politics?
166 - Palin's book shows she's unqualified
122 - BYU records with win
116 - Officer cleared in Cardall Taser case
103 - BYU cuts Women's Research Inst.
100 - Jazz finally win in San Antonio
98 - Utes knock off rival Aggies
93 - Huntsman pleased with Obama
87
There's a lot of reason to leave your plastic home as you shop:
I don't pretend to be an expert on global warming. I've met with...
Reading the letter, I am not sure that it is eating that is the sin, but...
The media that Sarah criticizes so much is the same force that is providing...
We'll be back next year. I know it, and I hope that all of our coaches and...
This year TCU has proven to the world how weak the MWC is (MWC=WAC). BYU and...
I have no problem with religious people voting their conscience. I do,...
I have to agree that the comment about "the pesky seniors" is uncalled...
I was in my Latin class in High School in California. Our teacher hadn't...
Glenn Beck is Oprah's heir apparent since he has a larger following and can...
of atheism just as morally equal to spreading the Gospel of Christianity. To...
Yes, 40% of doctors polled said they will definitely or seriously consider...

