SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — A Utah lawmaker is proposing changes to a full Medicaid expansion passed by voters in November.
Republican Sen. Allen Christensen of North Ogden tells The Salt Lake Tribune that the plan needs "guardrails" in place to avoid cost overruns.
He says a sales tax increase included in the ballot measure won't cover the full cost, but advocates disagree. They say they'll protest any changes that block people from accessing health care.
Christensen is proposing capping enrollment and including a work requirement, which would delay the planned April 1 rollout.
Advocates got the issue on the ballot after the GOP-dominated legislature refused to fully expand Medicaid under President Barack Obama's signature health care law, citing cost concerns.
The plan approved by voters provides health care coverage to an estimated 150,000 low-income Utah residents.
