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Health care advocates say Utah’s limited Medicaid plan, now open for enrollment, leaves tens of thousands without coverage

Leonard Bagalwa, a Congolese immigrant who helps Utahns find health insurance through federal programs, said he was excited when voters approved Proposition 3 last year, believing it would mean Medicaid coverage for his family beginning April 1.

But on Monday, he said he continues to lack access to affordable health care after Utah lawmakers replaced Proposition 3 with a partial Medicaid expansion that leaves him and many low-income Utahns to purchase private insurance.

“I do this every day, enrolling people, and we shouldn’t be fooled by our politicians,” Bagalwa said. “There is a reason why [full expansion] was put on the ballot and a reason why people voted it for.