Proposition 3 replacement bill passes House committee, but the bill’s own sponsor voted against it

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SALT LAKE CITY — A bill that replaces Proposition 3, the Medicaid expansion bill that voters passed in November, is advancing on Utah’s Capitol Hill.

But it’s doing so without the support of one of its own sponsors, according to a report by Fox13Now. Rep. Jim Dunnigan, R-Taylorsville, the House sponsor of Senate Bill 96, cast a no vote against the bill.

“I have no comment,” he told FOX 13 as he left the committee hearing Wednesday.

SB 96 passed out of the House Business and Labor Committee on a 9-6 vote and now goes to the full House for a vote. A few Republicans – Dunnigan, Rep. Mike Winder and Rep. Craig Hall – broke ranks and joined Democrats in voting against it.

SB 96 replaces Proposition 3, which voters passed in November with 53 percent of the vote. The bill would initially cost more, but sponsors say it would save money in the long run. The bill sets enrollment caps to control costs, implements a work requirement and seeks federal waivers for how much the state pays to cover thousands of Utah’s poorest with health care.

Supporters of Prop. 3 have pressured the Legislature, arguing it is not what voters wanted. But lawmakers say what voters wanted – even with a sales tax hike they approved – is not enough to cover everyone. GOP leaders fear they would be forced to dip into the education or general fund to pay for ballooning medical costs.

Read the full story here:  Fox13Now.com

Written by BEN WINSLOW, Fox13Now.com.

Read more: See all St. George News reports and opinions on Utah Legislature 2019 issues

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