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January jobs report: Unemployment rate falls to 4%, wages rise more than forecast; Trump signs order imposing sanctions on International Criminal Court over investigations of Israel; Ten Commandments in public schools debate reaches South Dakota; Virginia ranks among worst states for wage theft; Mexican long-nosed bat makes appearance in Arizona.

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Attorney General Pam Bondi strikes a Trump tone at the Justice Department, federal workers get more time to consider buyouts, and an unclassified email request from the White House worries CIA vets.

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During Black History Month, a new book shares how a unique partnership built 5,000 schools for Black students, anti-hunger advocates say ag communities would benefit from an expanded SNAP program, and Americans have $90 billion in unpaid medical bills.

Report: Medicaid a 'lifeline' for rural Utahns

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Wednesday, January 22, 2025   

Congressional leaders are considering what some call "highly consequential decisions" about the future of Medicaid - and Utah advocates are weighing in. The Medicaid budget cuts proposed by U.S. House Republicans are massive, and a new report from the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families says they'd affect adults and children in rural Utah, who rely more heavily on Medicaid for health coverage than people in cities.

Thaiss Del Rio, a policy analyst with Voices for Utah Children, argues cutting Medicaid funding wouldn't lower healthcare costs or improve quality or access to care - but would do the opposite.

"Without the vital funding that Medicaid brings, we're going to see an increase in healthcare costs for all Utah taxpayers and an enormous, unsustainable pressure on our state budget - and more importantly our communities' ability to be able to access care," Del Rio said.

Del Rio added that if the proposed cuts of about $2.3 trillion are enacted, the impacts will be felt across communities, businesses and healthcare systems. States would be forced to raise new revenues, or eliminate coverage for some people and cover fewer health services.

Del Rio contended that if Congress goes through with the cuts, everyone in the State of Utah loses - from individuals to hospitals that are major employers in rural areas.

"There are 21% of children who are living in rural areas or small towns and 11% of rural adults who get their health coverage through Medicaid. And so, this is compared to 17.7% of children and 8.6% of adults who live in metro areas. We're definitely concerned - but again, ready to fight," Del Rio continued.

Joan Alker, executive director and co-founder of the Georgetown University Center for Children and Families and the report's lead author, added that Medicaid helps people get ahead of health challenges through preventive care - that many couldn't afford without it.

"People wind up sicker and then, they're in the emergency room, and children can't get their asthma inhalers and they miss school," she said.

Disclosure: Georgetown University Center for Children & Families contributes to our fund for reporting on Children's Issues, Health Issues. If you would like to help support news in the public interest, click here.


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