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Medicaid Expansion Changes Pass Utah Senate

SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah lawmakers' proposal to scale back a voter-approved Medicaid expansion has passed the state Senate over protests from advocates who say it guts a plan the majority of people want.

GOP lawmakers say the bill that passed the chamber on Monday is essential to controlling long-term costs.

It would cover about 50,000 fewer people under Medicaid than the measure passed by the voters, and also add work requirements and spending caps. It would require waivers from the federal government.

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Supporters of the measure that passed with 53 percent of the vote are pushing back, knocking on doors and running TV commercials as the fast-moving bill moves to the state House.

Andrew Roberts with the group Utah Decides Healthcare says the bill amount to a repeal.

Lawmakers, on the other hand, say it respects the vote while controlling costs.