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Post-presidential debate poll shows a shift in WI; Teamsters won't endorse in presidential race after releasing internal polling showing most members support Trump; IL energy jobs growth is strong but lacks female workers; Pregnant, Black Coloradans twice as likely to die than the overall population.

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The Teamsters choose not to endorse a presidential candidate, county officials in Texas fight back against state moves to limit voter registration efforts, and the FBI investigate suspicious packages sent to elections offices in at least 17 states.

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A USDA report shows a widening gap in rural versus urban health, a North Carolina county remains divided over a LGBTQ library display, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz' policies are spotlighted after his elevation to the Democratic presidential ticket.

Lawmakers Consider "Healthy Utah" Plan

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Thursday, February 19, 2015   

SALT LAKE CITY - Utah lawmakers now in session are considering legislation that could provide health insurance to thousands of people, with the federal government covering most of the cost.

State representative Ed Redd, a Republican from Logan, says there seems to be bipartisan support for a bill linked to Gov. Gary Herbert's Healthy Utah Plan.

"People that see the problem and understand the problem, understand the consequences of doing nothing," says Redd. "Meaning increased disability, increased death, increased poor outcomes, I think are in favor of this bill, whether they are Republicans or Democrats."

Redd, who is also a physician, says the federal government would cover at least 90 percent of the cost of the Healthy Utah plan. It could cover tens of thousands of low-income adults who don't quality for state Medicaid or tax subsidies available through the Affordable Care Act.

Utah Voices for Children and the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families released a study this week showing that 68 percent of the low-income uninsured parents that could benefit from the Healthy Utah plan are working, and only eight percent are unemployed.

Joan Alker is executive director at the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families.

"Carpenters, waitresses, cashiers - these are the kinds of folks we are talking about who could become eligible for Healthy Utah," she says. "If the Legislature were to move ahead."

Alker adds, Healthy Utah could also help insure more children in the state, which has among the nation's highest rates of uninsured children. She says research shows, states that extend coverage to parents also reduce the number of uninsured children.


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