State Lawmaker Proposes Tax Breaks for IHC Competitors

None by KCPW

(KCPW News) Rather than trying to take nonprofit tax breaks away from Intermountain Healthcare, one state lawmaker suggests offering the same advantage to the healthcare giant's competitors.

State Senator Michael Waddoups says he's still working out the numbers, but estimates exempting all hospitals from sales, property and corporate income taxes might cost Utah about $10 million.

In return, he says those funds would have to be dedicated to helping lower medical costs or extend coverage to people without insurance. Waddoups says he doesn't have the details worked out, but his brainstorm caused a flurry of discussion during the Privately Owned Health Care Task Force meeting.

Early reaction from the hospitals that would benefit from the tax breaks appears to be positive.

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