SALT LAKE CITY - Utah Senator Daniel Liljenquist-R, Bountiful admitted to approaching the subject of eliminating some “elective” procedures in order to control spiraling Medicaid costs while having an informal discussion with members of the legislature’s Business and (ironically) Labor Committee. He suggested the elimination of epidurals and cesarean sections for low income pregnant women.
Liljenquist says his remarks were not for the public, and calls the reaction to them “a tempest in a teapot.”
Epidurals are an injection made to block labor pain in the lower body and is used in most vaginal births. Nearly one-third of all births nationally are by cesarean section, the surgical removal of a baby from the mother. Cost for a c-section is almost twice that of a vaginal birth, but can save the life of the child and the mother. Epidurals account for around $5 million in Medicaid expenditures in Utah out of $1.7 billion. Liljenquist asked “Do we fund Medicaid growth, or do we fund schools? Those are the trade offs we are making.” Senator Liljenquist maintains he is not targeting the poor, people on Medicaid, or pregnant women.
The legislature is currently considering a lawsuit allowing them to refuse $101 million in education funds from the federal government.
Members of the Utah Legislature receive full medical benefits for themselves and their families during their term of office. If a legislator serves ten years, the legislator receives full medical benefits for the legislator and family for life. Each policy costs Utah taxpayers around $12,000 per year.
The Utah Legislature refused to consider any sex education legislation during its last session, but did pass a tough new abortion law that states if a woman has an illegal abortion, she can be charged with murder.
Source: Salt Lake Tribune
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