CHIP open enrollment passes House

The House passed a bill on Tuesday to allow open enrollment in the state's Children's Health Insurance Program, or CHIP.

Under HB326, children could be insured under the program at any time. It also says a child cannot be determined ineligible for the program based on pre-existing conditions.

"That opens up the enrollment in regards to this," said House Speaker Greg Curtis, R-Sandy, the bill's sponsor.

Later he added: "Even for a conservative Republican, I love my children. I love our children and I want to make sure they have quality health care."

The bill passed the house 70-2. Before passing the bill, members of the House all filed no votes, before switching to vote in support. Curtis said HB326 is the first major policy measure he has sponsored since becoming Speaker.