The Utah Legislature, open for business this week, has before it at least one proposed measure that is little more than a wanton act of cruelty. As well as an expression of willful economic ignorance.
Sen. Allen Christensen, R-North Ogden, has put forth a proposal — Senate Bill 96 — that is designed to do nothing more than turn back the clear will of the people of this state, who petitioned for, campaigned for and passed Proposition 3. That voter initiative — which is state law unless and until the Legislature overrules it — directs that the state go ahead with the full expansion of the federal/state health insurance plan known as Medicaid, an expansion authorized by the passage of the federal Affordable Care Act in 2010 but made optional to the states by a confused Supreme Court ruling two years later.