Issue Position: Medicaid

Issue Position

I value efficient administration of Medicaid.
Medicaid is the second largest item in the state budget, so we need to manage it effectively. Utah is currently overpaying for many of the medications needed for Medicaid patients because the legislature has given in to pressure from the pharmaceutical lobby and forbidden the Department of Health to negotiate for lower prices. This is costing the state about $15 Million dollars per year in overpayments. I will work to correct this and to always make sure that Medicaid funds are used efficiently.
Utah needs to find a solution to the Medicaid expansion that involves the private insurance market. I fully support Governor Herbert's current efforts to negotiate these changes with the Federal Govenment. We deserve our fair share of our federal tax money (the amount at stake is $300 Million per year!), and people need to have access to basic health care to be able to work and care for their families.

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