Healthcare

signed · Utah · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 414: Dental Hygienist Amendments

HB 414 amends Utah's definition of "public health setting" to explicitly include hospitals. This change allows dental hygienists working in hospitals to practice without requiring general supervision from a dentist (meaning a dentist doesn't need to be physically present on-site). The bill directly affects dental hygienists employed in hospital settings by expanding their scope of practice within those facilities. It does not appropriate funds or change other licensing requirements, focusing solely on clarifying where hygienists can work independently. The amendment takes effect May 6, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands dental hygienists' scope of practice in hospitals, improving patient access to dental services without requiring on-site dentist supervision.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 204: Physical Therapy Payment Amendments

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurers to apply same cost-sharing for PT as primary care, improving patient access by preventing higher out-of-pocket costs for physical therapy services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Utah · House Mar 18, 2026

HB 15: Medicaid Amendments

HB 15 amends Utah's Medicaid expansion program to address potential reductions in federal funding. It changes the automatic end date for the expansion if federal matching funds decrease, requires the Department of Health and Human Services to terminate programs that would reduce federal funds, and mandates a report to the legislature if funding drops. The bill also allows the state tax funding Medicaid expansion to end if the program concludes. These changes directly affect Utah's Medicaid beneficiaries and the state's administration of the program, focusing on maintaining federal funding alignment without new state spending.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill safeguards Medicaid expansion against federal funding cuts by requiring state action to maintain coverage and prevent program termination, directly protecting healthcare access for beneficiaries.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Utah · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 264: Prescription Medication Amendments

HB 264 modifies Utah's prescription medication rules to streamline pharmacy operations. It removes the requirement for pharmacies to notify providers when substituting medications (as authorized by the prescription), allows prescription refills to remain valid for two years, and establishes new rules for standing prescriptions issued by the Department of Health and Human Services. Standing prescriptions must be limited to specific conditions, FDA-approved diagnoses, and clinically appropriate treatments. These changes primarily affect pharmacies, patients receiving refills, and healthcare providers who write prescriptions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows two-year prescription refills and removes substitution notification requirements, improving patient access to medications and streamlining pharmacy operations.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Utah · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 199: Health Data Amendments

HB 199 amends Utah's health data laws to clarify how the Department of Health and Human Services manages health information. It defines key terms, allows the department to share data with public health, mental health, and substance use authorities for public health purposes, and adds new data security requirements. The bill removes certain reporting obligations for health data providers and updates rules around the All Payer Claims Database. These changes primarily affect health care facilities, providers, insurers, and government agencies handling health data within Utah. The law makes technical updates to existing statutes without appropriating new funds.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables data sharing with public health/mental health authorities for public health purposes and adds security requirements, facilitating healthcare coordination and data management.85% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Utah · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 71: Health Provider Directory and Access Amendments

HB 71 requires health insurance companies (covered insurers) to help enrollees access behavioral health services (like mental health and substance use treatment) in a timely manner when in-network providers aren't available. Insurers must publish and regularly update accurate provider directories, facilitate out-of-network care within 7 days (or 24 hours for emergencies), and follow specific rules for single case agreements to cover out-of-network services. The bill also extends these requirements to Utah's Medicaid program and directs the state to create a working group to study a statewide behavioral health provider directory. These changes apply to all insurers offering behavioral health coverage, effective July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates insurers to ensure timely access to behavioral health services, update provider directories, and facilitate out-of-network care, directly improving patient access to mental health coverage.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SB 50: Anesthesia Dosage Amendments

SB 50 requires health insurance plans in Utah to cover medically necessary anesthesia services regardless of procedure duration, directly affecting patients needing anesthesia and insurers offering health coverage. It prohibits insurers from denying payment for anesthesia solely based on exceeding preset time limits, ensuring coverage isn't withheld for extended care. The law applies to health benefit plans renewed or entered after January 1, 2027, and is codified under Utah Code Section 31A-22-663. This bill takes effect on May 6, 2026, with no new state funding required.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for medically necessary anesthesia regardless of duration, preventing denial based on time limits and expanding patient access to essential services.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

signed · Utah · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SB 31: Office of Professional Licensure Review Amendments

SB 31 amends Utah's professional licensure laws for health care providers, directly affecting physical therapists, occupational therapists, acupuncturists, nurse practitioners, and medication aides. It expands practice authority - allowing physical therapists to prescribe medical equipment and order certain imaging, and letting occupational therapists prescribe adaptive devices - and changes licensing requirements, such as replacing certification with a license for medication aides. The bill also increases registered nursing experience needed for nurse practitioner licensure, adjusts supervision rules for therapists, and clarifies prescriptive powers for acupuncturists. These changes aim to modernize scope-of-practice standards while maintaining safety protocols.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands practice authority for therapists, improving patient access to care without physician referral, aligning with healthcare access indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

in committee · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 285: Uninsured Children Dental Care Amendments

SB 285 creates a new "Uninsured Children Dental Care Restricted Account" within Utah's General Fund and appropriates $5 million for fiscal year 2027 to fund dental care for uninsured children. The bill directs the University of Utah School of Dentistry's Oral Health Assistance Program to provide these services across all counties. Funds are nonlapsing for FY2027-28, with excess amounts over $200,000 lapsing to the General Fund starting FY2028-29. This bill directly affects uninsured children in Utah by expanding access to dental care through a dedicated funding mechanism.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesAppropriates $5M from General Fund for uninsured children's dental care, directly increasing state spending on public health services per budget allocation.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill appropriates $5M for dental care services for uninsured children, directly expanding access to health services and funding a healthcare program.90% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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passed · Utah · Senate Mar 7, 2026

SB 224: Vital Records Access Amendments

SB 224 amends Utah's vital records access law to allow a designated liaison for homeless youth or children (as defined under the federal McKinney-Vento Act) to obtain a minor's vital records on their behalf. This change adds homeless youth liaisons to the list of individuals permitted to access vital records, alongside immediate family members, guardians, and designated legal representatives. The bill directly affects homeless youth and children without stable housing, enabling their school or social service liaisons to help them access critical documents like birth certificates. The amendment does not alter existing rules about public access to records after specific time periods (e.g., 100 years for birth records) or other access categories.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill removes barrier to healthcare access by allowing liaisons to obtain vital records for homeless youth, enabling enrollment in health services and insurance per 'improves patient access' indicator.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill directly addresses homelessness by enabling liaisons for homeless youth to access vital records, aligning with McKinney-Vento Act and housing-related homelessness indicators.95% confidence | Rep's Stance ✓ Voted Yes ✓ Supports Healthcare

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