Emergency dental aid urged for special legislative session
That was the only controversial item on the governor's agenda announced for Wednesday's special session scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. Earlier that day, lawmakers will hear from visiting Mexican President Vicente Fox.
Finding the funding that the governor wants "is going to be extremely difficult," Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem, said. "There is a question whether or not he's got enough votes to get it done."
The governor's office anticipates the $2 million — which would offer emergency services to only aged, blind and disabled Utahns — would come from money left over from the general session, Huntsman's spokesman Mike Mower said.
"We feel like this is a worthwhile emergency service that needs to be addressed," Mower said. "We've significantly narrowed the category so we're dealing with those who have the most pressing need for service."
Valentine, though, questioned whether there was enough money available. "We spent everything we had in the general fund," he said. Lawmakers had a record $1 billion in extra cash to spend last session, thanks to surpluses and growing revenues.
"This is a different beast than what I was anticipating," he said.
Legislation sponsored by Killpack established a legislative task force that will study Utah's Medicaid program. Because of that, the senator said, "I'm not interested in doing any changes at this point outside of what we've done in the general session until the next session."
Advocates for Utah's poor and disabled communities were a constant presence on Capitol Hill during the 45-day regular session pushing for dental funding. They expressed disappointment Monday that Huntsman limited his call to $2 million for emergency services only.
"First of all, we are delighted that there's something there for dental," said Judi Hilman, director of the Utah Health Policy Project. "But then when you look at $15 million for a parking structure ... I don't care what it's for, there's just no way that that's going to matter more than comprehensive dental benefits."
Hilman was referring to the governor's request that lawmakers meeting in special session also authorize up to $15 million for the construction of a parking structure at the State Capitol Complex. Complete restoration of dental benefits would have cost $3.9 million, an amount Senate Democrats requested in a Wednesday letter to the governor.
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