• Salt Lake City: Mostly Cloudy 61°
mostlycloudy
Deseret News
Home
  • Login/Register
    • Mobile
    • Mobile Site
    • Text Version
    • Mobile Apps
Powered by YAHOO! SEARCH
  • News
  • Sports
  • Moneywise
  • Opinion
  • Faith
  • Family
  • Obituaries
    • Classifieds
    • Cars
    • Jobs
    • Deals
powered by ksl.com
  • Utah
  • World & Nation
  • Politics
  • Business
  • More News
    • Education
    • Salt Lake County
    • Utah County
    • Davis County
    • Police/Courts
    • Legislature
    • Weather
    • Immigration
    • News Wire
Advertise with usReport this ad

Utah lawmakers mull over verbose federal health reform regulations

  • Print
  • Font [+] [-]
  • 1 Comment »

By Wendy Leonard, Deseret News

Published: Tuesday, Dec. 4 2012 2:54 p.m. MST

Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. Utah lawmakers and health officials say the hundreds of pages released so far by the federal government explaining health care legislation regulations are confusing.

Associated Press

Enlarge photo»

Summary

Utah lawmakers and health officials say the hundreds of pages released so far by the federal government explaining health care legislation regulations are confusing.

More Coverage
  • Yes, no, or maybe? See where governors stand on health care law's insurance exchanges

“The silver lining of this is that these are just proposed rules, if there are enough comments (from the states), things could be revised.”

Norm Thurston, health reform implementation coordinator with the Utah Governor's Office

SALT LAKE CITY — Utah lawmakers and health officials say the hundreds of pages released so far by the federal government explaining health care legislation regulations are confusing.

"The flood of documents … is not encouraging, but confusing," said Utah Department of Health Executive Director Dr. David Patton. He said the department is doing its best to parse the proposed rules, looking specifically at the pros and cons of Medicaid expansion in Utah.

The state has yet to determine whether it will follow the federal mandate to expand access to government-funded health care options, such as Medicaid, but has asked for further guidance on how to implement the law.

On Friday, feds released another approximately 500 pages of proposed regulation dealing with the Affordable Care Act. Documents include dozens of pages of commentary ahead of proposed rules, making it a lot to read to get the full explanation of what is expected when health care reform is in full swing by 2014. About 450 pages of regulations were released prior to Thanksgiving.

"The silver lining of this is that these are just proposed rules, if there are enough comments (from the states), things could be revised," said Norm Thurston, health reform implementation coordinator with the Utah Governor's Office. He asked for stakeholders and others interested in the situation to provide input, so all voices can be heard.

"The more opinions, the better," Thurston said.

While it originally leaned toward providing states with flexibility to implement health care reform, Utah's Health System Reform Task Force Chairman Rep. James Dunnigan, R-Taylorsville, said the federal government is now "becoming more and more prescriptive and is micro-managing the details" of how it is brought forth. The federal government allows a 30-day comment period on any documents released.

The task force will continue to meet up until the 2013 legislative session, when Utah lawmakers are expected to make multiple decisions regarding health care reform.

E-mail: wleonard@desnews.com, Twitter: wendyleonards

Related Stories
  • Yes, no, or maybe? See where governors stand on health care law's insurance exchanges

Featured Comments

See all 1 comment »
JWB
Kaysville, UT

There was a reason the President wanted the Healthcare Act passed before legislators and regulators read the bll. They wanted it confusing enough so they could have interpretations the way the administraton want them. A lot of water has gone under More..

  • 7:13 p.m. Dec. 4, 2012
  • Top comment
Comments
Leave a comment »

DeseretNews.com encourages a civil dialogue among its readers. We welcome your thoughtful comments.
— About comments

About the Author
Wendy Leonard

Wendy Leonard

Wendy Leonard works as a reporter for the Deseret News, and while her daily duties are dictated by breaking news, she currently focuses on writing about issues involving health care, medicine and transportation. She began more ..

  • Connect:
Advertise with usReport this ad
What You May Have Missed
  • Wives of LDS Church's First Presidency honored by children (+videos)
  • Disney's 'Brave' makeover sparks fury from fans, director
  • Mitt Romney to live in Utah — at least some of the time
Sample morning edition email
Advertise with usReport this ad
Most Popular
Across Site
In Utah
  • Search for Susan Cox Powell is over, West...
  • XanGo co-founder accuses partners of...
  • Utah State runner Brittany Fisher gaining...
  • Frances Monson, wife of LDS prophet, passes away
  • Airport TRAX ridership remains strong weeks...
  • Warrants issued for 3 suspects in beating...
  • Mia Love announces she's officially running...
  • Mitt Romney to live in Utah — at least...
  • Photo gallery: Tornado rips Oklahoma suburb
  • Search for Susan Cox Powell is over, West...
  • XanGo co-founder accuses partners of...
  • Funeral services for Sister Frances J. Monson...
  • Utah State runner Brittany Fisher gaining...
  • Amy Donaldson: LDS boxer B.J. Flores hopes...
  • Hundreds of teens in Southern California go...
  • BYU football: Fan-developed software gives...
Get The Deseret News Everywhere

Subscribe

Mobile

Facebook

Twitter

RSS

Email

Most Commented
Across Site
In Utah
  • Frances Monson, wife of LDS prophet,... 66
  • Mia Love announces she's officially... 41
  • GOP delegates reject changes to... 31
  • XanGo co-founder accuses partners of... 21
  • Utah facing $1.2 billion-dollar water... 10
  • New app helps consumers purchase... 9
  • Fly a flag for Cody: Army confirms Utah... 9
  • Utah lawmakers look to regulate child... 8
  • Dan Liljenquist: Chaffetz's search for... 85
  • Utes football recruiting: Polynesian... 80
  • USA Rugby: 'What BYU won ... was a... 78
  • Mormon NFL safety Eric Weddle:... 68
  • Ryan Teeples: Ziggy Ansah's story... 68
  • Frances Monson, wife of LDS prophet,... 66
  • Mitt Romney talks IRS, AP records,... 65
  • Letters: No welfare, ever 52
Advertise with usReport this ad
Advertise with usReport this ad
  • Home
  • News
  • Sports
  • Moneywise
  • Opinion
  • Faith
  • Family
  • Obituaries
Home »
  • Blogs
  • Topics
  • Lists
  • Movies
  • Columnists
  • Watch It
News »
  • Utah news
  • World & Nation
  • Politics
  • Business
  • Education
  • Salt Lake County
  • Utah County
  • Davis County
  • Police/Courts
  • Legislature
  • Weather
  • Immigration
  • News Wire
Sports »
  • Utah Jazz
  • Sports Picks
  • BYU Cougars
  • Utah Utes
  • Utah State Aggies
  • Real Salt Lake
  • Salt Lake Bees
  • High school sports
  • Rock
  • Harmon
  • Watch It
  • Scores and Stats
  • On TV
  • NFL
  • MLB
  • Weber State Wildcats
  • Grizzlies
  • Utah Valley Wolverines
  • Southern Utah University
  • Sports Wire
Opinion »
  • Editorials
  • Op-Eds
  • Letters
  • Political Cartoons
Faith »
  • Featured Faiths
  • Mormon Times
  • LDS Church News
  • Mission Reunions
  • Faith Wire
Family »
  • Marriage & Parenting
  • Family Media
  • Movie Guide
  • Calendar
  • TV Listings
  • Family Life Wire
Special Sections »
  • Education Week
  • LDS General Conference
  • Mormons in America
  • Olympics
  • Outdoor Retailer
  • Rugby
  • Sports Picks
  • Sundance Film Festival
  • Utah Blaze
  • Utah Grizzlies
  • Print Subscription
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • FAQ
  • Feedback
  • Jobs
  • RSS
  • E-Edition
  • Privacy policy
  • Terms of Use
  • Legal notices
  • Advertise with us
Advertise with usReport this ad