Estimated read time: 1-2 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Richard Piatt ReportingNo one knows how tight the state's budget will be yet. But people who rely on Medicaid are hoping good budget news will translate to good news for them.
There are plenty of demands for education, transportation -- the list goes on. But important benefits for thousands of Utahns have been cut.
For example: A Farmington woman named Ilene Rimorian. She is suffering because the very benefits she needs most--dental and vision--have been cut. Now she's is at the Capitol lobbying lawmakers to restore those benefits at a cost of $4.7 million.
For her, after two years, she says it's beyond difficult. She feels desperate.
Ilene Rimorin, Farmington: "I feel I could sit down and cry because it's so totally frustrating and degrading, and it's just not fair. And it's just not fair."
Lawmakers say they'll do what they can when they know more later this week. In the meantime, Senator Paula Julander has another health care matter on her mind: Her annual 'Pill Bill.' Her proposal would prohibit health insurance plans that cover prescription drugs and devices from refusing contraceptive coverage. And it would keep the co-pay of contraceptives at a fair price.
That bill has died for seven years in a row and its fate is not bright this year either. Budget numbers may be brighter than in the past, but according to one of the lawmakers involved in the budget, "don't expect miracles.”
