Salt Lake County Council to Vote on Health Care Proposal

Apr 23, 2008 by Jeff Robinson

Would Give Benefits to Adult Designees

(KCPW News) The Salt Lake County Council will vote next week on a proposal to extend health benefits to the domestic partners and financially dependent relatives of county employees. Councilwoman Jenny Wilson is hoping to win the votes of Republicans on the council.

"I just want to say that I do believe that when you look at this global, national challenge that we have with 15 million people uninsured, that we recognize that there are families within our own workforce that we can support, we can reach out to, and we can make a difference in their lives," she told fellow council members.

The council was set to vote on the issue yesterday, but agreed to push back the decision to next Tuesday.

Attending a work session by phone, Republican Mark Crockett indicated he supports the idea of the proposal but not necessarily how it accomplishes the goal of expanding health care benefits.

"I am really to eager to figure out how to extend health benefits without necessarily doing it in a way that creates groups of people," said Crockett.

Democratic Councilman Joe Hatch responded by telling Crockett that if he wants a broader health care solution, he should come up with one. Republicans hold a slim 5-4 majority on the county council.

Email to a friendPosted in KCPW Newsroom. Copyright 2008 KCPW