DROP THE WORK REQUIREMENT

by Paul Gibbs

At the recent August meeting of the Utah Healthcare Reform Task Force, we learned that the final stumbling block left to the federal government accepting the terms of Governor Herbert's Healthy Utah plan is the work requirement, a provision which demands that those who receive assistance from the program are working or attempting to work. The federal government not only disapproves of the requitement, they claim it's illegal.

So, where do we go from here? Do we keep arguing? Do we walk away and let tens of thousands of people go without healthcare because of one point? When we examine the facts, it becomes clear that the only sensible.option is to abandon a requirement which was already unnecessary. Studies of the coverage gap already tell us that 66% of those in the gap are working, and most of the rest can't. Do we think those who are working will suddenly stop because they have health insurance? Of course not. They have to pay rent, utilities, and other basic necessities. They'll simply be healthier. And some of those who can't work now may find they can if they're getting the healthcare they need.

The last thing we need is another delay. Let Healthy Utah go without the unnecessary amd judgemental work requirement, and let's let out legislature know we want it passed noe.