Click here for all publications from 2010 and to our find our publications archive.

National Reform

The Individual Mandate is Constitutional (July 2, 2010) Myth vs. Fact: There is nothing in the Constitution that allows Congress mandate that Americans have health insurance. (Read More)

Opt Out Provisions in Federal Health Reform (May 17, 2010)
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA, the final package of federal health reforms) is now the law of the land, though its implementation will be anything but straightforward. From an implementation standpoint, the final bill provides states with plenty of choices to make over the next few years to fine tune the reforms to better suit local needs. (Read More)

Federal Health Reform and Utah: A Cheat Sheet (May 10, 2010)
The final package of reforms will expand access to quality, affordable health care coverage; slow the growth of health care costs; and improve the quality of care. Implementation is already underway, though most of the insurance market reforms and coverage expansions do not go into effect until 2014. (Read More)

Medicaid/CHIP

Imrpoving Medicaid in Utah: Controlling Costs while Improving Health Outcomes
(July 19, 2010)
Recently, House Speaker Dave Clark and Senate President Michael Waddoups asked the community to weigh in on ways to improve Utah’s Medicaid program. Generally the program has served its clients well; however, its ability to continue to do so is in question.  (Read More)

Medicaid Family Planning State Option: Fewer Unintended Pregnancies & Better Health Outcomes for Families (June 16, 2010)
The Family Planning Medicaid State Option allows the state to use Medicaid dollars to provide family planning services to women who would qualify for the state’s Medicaid program.  (Read More)

Federal Health Reform: Making Medicaid Stronger, More Efficient (May 17, 2010)
The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (PPACA) brings fundamental changes in how Medicaid operates, impacting every area of the program, including eligibility standards, payment methodologies, and care delivery systems.  These changes will allow Medicaid to operate more efficiently, while serving more people who would otherwise go uninsured. (Read More)


Coverage Inititatives

The Statewide Risk Adjuster & HB294 Myth vs. Fact (February 19, 2010)
There has been a lot of confusion and misunderstanding around a part of HB294, Speaker David Clark’s health system reform legislation, the statewide risk adjuster. UHPP supports the Speaker in his efforts, especially in regards to this part of the bill, as we view it as vital to the success of the Utah Health Exchange—the new online marketplace for purchasing defined contribution policies AND to Utah’s attempts to reform healthcare without mandates. (Read More)

Medical Loss Ratio Disclosure: A Step Towards Consumer Transparency in Utah's Health Exchange (February 12, 2010)
Medical loss ratio is a term used by the insurance industry and actuaries to describe the portion of premium dollars that goes to pay for medical claims.  For example, the sidebar at right shows that SelectHealth (IHC) has an overall medical loss ratio of 84.63. So for every dollar of premiums that the nonprofit SelectHealth collects, it pays out nearly 85 cents in claims. (Read More)

Affordable Health Care: The Only Way to Avoid a Mandate (February 11, 2010)
As Utah moves forward on state health reform, policymakers need a better understading of who is still priced out of the market and what the costs will be to bring them in. The first step is a comprehensive affordability study showing which strategies will benefit most families at different points along the income scale. (Read More)

Utah Business Group on Health (UBGH)

Nuts & Bolts of Federal Health Reform: The Impact on Utah Small Businesses
(UPDATED July 8, 2010) Small businesses are the engine of Utah’s economy.  Currently, there are 64,000 Utah businesses with fewer than 50 employees, and they are struggling to offer their employees affordable health coverage. (Read More)

Small Business Reforms from Merged Senate Health Reform Bill (November 20, 2009)
A breakdown of the merged Senate bill, what the reforms will look like 2010-2014. (Read More)

The House Proposal Lowers Non-Group Premiums (Jonathan Gruber, MIT)
The House proposal issued today provides premium assistance and market reforms which will make health insurance much more affordable for individuals facing purchase in the non-group market. (Read More)



Utah Quality Watch

Consumer Health Assistance & Navigation for the Age of Reform: Design Considerations and Recommendations for Utah (July 9, 2010)
A discussion draft on building the Consumer Health Assistance and Navigation infastructure in Utah. Please provide feedback for the final draft by July 30th. (Read more)

Case Against HJR24: Public Health Impacts Considerable (March 4, 2010)
Before voting on HJR24 (Rep. Oda), House Joint Resolution on Equal Treatment by Government,
policymakers should consider the consequences, intended and not, for efforts to deliver appropriate and cost-effective health care to Utah’s growing ethnic communities. (Read More)

SB44 Health Amendments for Legal Immigrant Children (February 27, 2010)
A provision of the Children's Health Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2009, the Immigrant Children's Health Improvement Act (ICHIA) gives states the option to lift the 5-year waiting period on Medicaid and CHIP eligibility for legal permanent resident children. (Read More)