Half full or half empty?
Well, today was the half way day for the session and we passed some of the most important legislation of the session this morning. The three main health care reform bills were all passed out of the House today and on to the Senate. 1SHB188, Rep. Clark, “Health Reform – Insurance Market,” makes changes in the way that insurance will be offered to consumers. It creates an internet portal through which all insurance plans can be compared. It offers low cost health insurance products that do not include state mandates in the individual market and small employer group market. Creates the Utah NetCare plan, a lot cost health benefit plan as an alternative to COBRA and mini-COBRA plans currently available. Requires insurances brokers and producers to disclose their commissions to their customers. Establishes a defined contribution arrangement available through the internet portal available to small employer groups. This is a good start to health care reform, although not perfect by any means. It is long and detailed and I’d suggest a look through it if you want more complete information. http://le.utah.gov/~2009/bills/hbillamd/hb0188s01.pdf.
1SHB165, “Health Reform – Administrative Simplification,” Rep. Merlynn Newbold. This bill is the first step towards “smart swipe card” technology, which would be a systemwide effort between the health care provider and the health care payer for payment and delivery of health care, creates more openness and simplification of the paperwork involved in filing claims, dealing with ER admissions, and amending a claim.
Both these bills are part of the Health Care Task Force that was begun last year after the 2008 session ended. They are part of the 1-3-6-10 plan. The 1 is for the first year to study the needs, 3 is for the 3 years to implement changes in 6 areas. The whole reform will take 10 years.
Other things happening today….in Political Subdivisions this morning we had two quick bills that came to committee. HB309, Rep. Chris Herrod, “County Fiscal Procedures Amendments,” dealt with clarifying the county fiscal procedures. It passed unanimously 9-0. HB375, Rep. Ryan Wilcox, “Local Government Records Amendments,” requires municipalities and counties to designate one person in their organization to be in charge of GRAMA requests or records appeals. It also passed.
Congressman Rob Bishop came to the House floor and spoke this morning. He spoke about the state process and how much more open, simple, and transparent it is than the federal system. He has a tremendous respect for the state process and expressed fond memories of his time in the Utah House of Representatives. He also spoke about the upcoming census, saying it needs to move towards being more independent and not enmeshed with the political process. He expressed his interest in maintaining the National Parks and heritage areas in Utah. He also thanked the legislature for supporting the military, especially the new project in northern Davis County, Falcon Hill, and also for energy development. He said he is working to have more decisions made on the state level and fewer made by the federal government.
In the lunch caucus everyone was anxious to get back more specifics on the stimulus package. There was no additional information that was distributed as it is still being examined. Rep. Garn reiterated to us all that everything was still on the table when we begin talks on FY10, including ways to increase revenue like reinstituting the tax on food, bonding, other fees etc. That conversation will most likely take place next week.
There was a lot of action in the Capitol today. There was a group from the Utah School for the Deaf and Blind downstairs actually conducting classes with some of their students. It was interesting to see a representation of the services they offer to their students. They do a great work. There was a group of folks rallying in opposition to HB187, a stream access bill. I spoke with several folks from District 20 among those rallying.
Also, this morning I was able to attend the Legislative Affairs Committee meeting with all the Davis County legislators, people representing the Davis Chamber, business representatives, County and City officials, and folks with the Wasatch Front Regional Council and Tourism office. Great things are happening in Davis County! These Thursday morning meetings are a great way to keep in touch with a huge group of folks all focused on keeping Davis County a great place to live and work.
Another great and busy day and like I said, we are half way finished, or have we only half way begun?