Governor: Expect Action from Health System Reform Task Force

Mar 28, 2008 by Jeff Robinson

(KCPW News) Governor Jon Huntsman expects the newly created health system reform task force to accomplish enough by November so that the legislature can take action on healthcare during next year's general session. He anticipates the task force will find out what needs to be fixed and figure out the best course of action.

"These are gonna be extremely important months of drilling down on the most salient issues impacting costs, insurance, transparency, and individual responsibility," he said during a news conference today.

The governor says he will call a special session later this year if he believes it's necessary to make sure the task force is making enough progress.

Governor Huntsman says major corporations have come to the table and asked how they can help with health system reform, instead of trying to influence lawmakers through lobbyists to further their own interests.

"I don't see a lot of obstructionism; I don't see of obfuscating on the part of big corporations.  I see the major players, who you would typically associate with this undertaking, coming in and basically saying, how can we help? How can we move things forward?" the governor said. "I will do my darndest through this process, as I'm sure many members of the legislature will, to keep this process on task and honest."

The governor says the task force also has to create solutions for individuals whose companies don't provide health plans. So far, it includes three Republican senators and one Democrat, none of whom are up for re-election. They're expected to get down to business in a month.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom. Copyright 2008 KCPW