Road to health reform twists and turns

After much ballyhoo and chest-thumping by community and political leaders, the road to comprehensive health system reform has taken some interesting twists and turns. An impressive health-reform framework was developed over several months by some 130 community leaders, led by the United Way of Salt Lake, the Salt Lake Chamber and others. Legislation now being considered would send many of the major reform provisions to a legislative task force.

What is the REAL reason that the health-reform initiative was sent to a task force?

Pignanelli: The weird factor. Everyone appreciates the United Way for its tireless benevolent activities. But when this charity became the designated pilot in guiding health-care reform (with the chamber and governor's office as wingmen), politicos were stunned. The United Way crafting government policy was too strange for lawmakers. Although House Majority Leader Dave Clark (and one of their own) played a larger role in developing the proposal in the past several months, the Legislature wanted more. A number of legislative power houses have focused their political careers on health concerns, including Sens. Mike Waddoups and Pete Knudson and Reps. Jim Dunnigan, Rebecca Lockhart and Mike Morley. A task force keeps the issue in the hands of the legislative branch. (Of course, observers are wondering why Huntsman abandoned this opportunity to plant his flag.)

Webb: Despite all the conspiracy theories floating about, this is really simple. Health-system reform is incredibly complex and difficult. It will impact every person in Utah and revolutionize a multibillion-dollar industry. It's not something that can be fixed in a brief 45-day session with myriad other priorities demanding attention. It's also not something that can be done by any outside group and then handed to legislators to simply enact.

This effort absolutely requires the attention of a legislative task force with committed members who will spend enormous time and effort. United Way group did a terrific job of framing the issues and establishing principles. But all the really hard work and hard choices remain to be done. No legislator wants to vote on such difficult issues without having full understanding. This issue demands intense interim focus by lawmakers themselves.

Remember that this issue is so difficult that no state (or the federal government) has found a comprehensive solution, although many have tried.