UTAH GOP LEADERS PUNT, LEAVE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF UTAHNS IN LIMBO

UTAH GOP LEADERS PUNT, LEAVE HUNDREDS OF THOUSANDS OF UTAHNS IN LIMBO

Salt Lake City - Governor Herbert and Utah's GOP leaders have chosen to leave hundreds of thousands of Utahns in limbo, postponing a controversial Medicaid decision until after the 2012 election.  The delay denies health insurance to 43% of Utah’s uninsured adults, and increases the burden on taxpayers should those adults require emergency care.  Utah Democratic Party Chair Jim Dabakis responded, 

"Once again, Utah Republican leaders have put their Tea Party masters ahead of common sense.   Their dithering postpones a vitally important decision until after the election - when they won’t have to face the voters for another cycle.  How convenient.”

“Utahns are once again forced to ask Governor Herbert,” Dabakis continued,  “‘Besides 'No, No, No,' what is your solution to the hundreds of thousands of Utah families without healthcare? Or do you find it acceptable for families in our communities to be left out in the cold because they got laid off?  Because they have a pre-existing condition?  Or simply because they happen to work in a job that does not provide health insurance?’  And in the meantime, Speaker Lockhart, President Waddoups, and Governor Herbert continue to enjoy their government health benefits.”

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