Utahns are split on federal health care provisions

SALT LAKE CITY — Health care has been a hot topic of debate for years, and the buzz will likely get louder with the implementation of several provisions of the federally mandated health care legislation.

Thursday marked the six-month anniversary of passage of what has become known as the Affordable Care Act, and many Utahns are torn about the potential impact of the controversial measure.

One state lawmaker expressed strong concern about the financial burden the bill may put on rising health care expenses.

"We can't sustain the trajectory of health care costs in this nation," said Sen. Wayne Niederhauser, R-Sandy, majority whip and co-chairman of the Utah Health Reform Task Force.

He said he would like to see the bill repealed at the federal level to allow states to make their own decisions regarding health care reform for their citizens.

"Utah was making significant steps toward substantial health reform, and we've now been pre-empted in many ways by the federal law," Niederhauser said. "I'd like us to get back working towards those measure that meet Utah values and demographics."

Provisions taking effect include parental coverage for adult children up to age 26 (Utah has had this law in place for years), coverage for children with pre-existing conditions up to age 19, elimination of lifetime benefit caps by insurers and tax credits for small business owners to offset the cost of providing coverage to employees.

Niederhauser worries the new federal provisions will do little to reduce health care costs, while increasing costs to individuals in the long run.

A mother in West Jordan, who lost her daughter two months ago wishes the change forbidding insurance companies from setting annual or lifetime limits on how much they'll pay for medical bills had come a long time ago.

For much of her short life, Katie Matthews needed oxygen. She breathed it 24 hours a day through tiny tubes.

"And if she wouldn't have had it, then she would have passed away," said Katie's mother.

Bobbi Mathews says her daughter was always happy. But her body was wracked by a genetic disorder called DiGeorge syndrome. She suffered from heart and lung problems, immunity issues and parathyroid malfunction.

And she had enormous medical bills.

At age 9, Katie hit the typical insurance company limit — $2.5 million.