Healthcare

SB 174 allows health care providers, institutions, and payers in Utah to refuse participation in certain medical services (like pregnancy termination disposal) based on religious, moral, or ethical beliefs. It requires providers who refuse such services to notify their institution and prohibits retaliation, discrimination, or adverse actions against them for exercising this right. The bill also shields these individuals from civil, criminal, or administrative liability and mandates health care payers to disclose services they won’t cover due to conscience objections. It defines key terms like "conscience" and "adverse action" to clarify protections and enforcement mechanisms. The bill makes no changes to funding and applies to all covered health care entities under Utah law.

HB 527 amends Utah's pharmacy pricing rules to require pharmacy benefit managers to base reimbursement rates only on drugs rated "A" or "B" in the FDA's Orange Book (or similar ratings) that are not obsolete and generally available in the state. It clarifies key terms like "maximum allowable cost" and "rebate," and grants the Insurance Department authority to create implementing rules. This directly affects pharmacies, pharmacy benefit managers, and insurers by changing how drug reimbursement rates are calculated. The bill does not appropriate funds or create new taxes.

HB 174 prohibits health care providers in Utah from administering cross-sex hormones or puberty blockers to minors after January 28, 2027, unless the minor was diagnosed with gender dysphoria before January 28, 2023. The bill amends Utah Code Section 58-1-603.1 to establish this ban, directly affecting minors seeking these treatments who do not meet the pre-2023 diagnosis requirement. It repeals a prior requirement for medical evidence reviews (Section 26B-1-239) and takes effect on May 6, 2026. The law applies to all minors under Utah's definition, with violations classified as unprofessional conduct for providers.

SB 204 requires Utah health insurers to apply the same cost-sharing rules (like copays and deductibles) for physical therapy services as they do for primary care visits. This directly affects patients seeking physical therapy and insurers, ensuring they pay no more out-of-pocket for PT than for a primary care visit. The bill amends Utah law to prohibit insurers from charging higher fees or imposing extra costs for physical therapy compared to primary care, while clarifying that physical therapists must still practice within existing scope-of-practice laws. It takes effect January 1, 2027, with no new funding required.

HB 258 requires health insurance plans in Utah to cover reversal treatments for gender transition if the plan covers transition-related care. Specifically, plans covering hormonal transgender treatments must also cover reversal hormonal treatments, and plans covering surgical sex transition procedures must cover reversal surgeries. This applies to all health benefit plans renewed or entered into on or after January 1, 2027. The bill directly affects insurers and policyholders by mandating this coverage, without appropriating funds or adding new administrative requirements.

HB 193 prohibits Utah government entities from using public funds to pay for certain surgical procedures related to transitioning from one's biological sex (defined as primary or secondary sex characteristic procedures). It requires government insurance plans that previously covered such transition procedures before May 6, 2026, to offer equivalent coverage for procedures to reverse those changes ("detransitioning"), to the extent possible. The bill takes effect on May 6, 2026, and does not appropriate new funds or affect private insurance. It directly impacts state and local government agencies, school districts, and other public entities using public money for health coverage.