Bill to Remove Immigrant Children’s 5-Year Wait Sent to Study

Roll Call reported that: A bill that would grant eligible legal immigrant children speedier access to low-income health care was resurrected in the Senate floor Tuesday after being voted down Monday – but will be sent to interim study for the next year. "It's important that we keep discussing this bill and hopefully next year have funding to pay for their health care coverage," sponsoring Sen. Luz Robles said. SB44 would have removed a five-year waiting period for legal permanent resident children to apply for Medicaid or Utah's Children’'s Health Insurance Program. About 800 children would be eligible at an estimated state cost of $384,500, with a federal match bringing nearly $1.5 million.