Healthcare

Primer: Healthcare Costs for Utahns

Written by: Staff

Utahns have experienced a range of affordability burdens, including health insurance, medical services, and medical bills. In fact, 69% of Utahns experienced at least one healthcare cost burden, and 86% are worried about the cost of future health care. This report is a primer of healthcare costs for Utahns. It looks at the ways these costs burden Utahns, the drivers of these costs, and the federal changes that impact Utahns. Key Findings Healthcare costs remain … Continued

X-Raying Healthcare: A Look at Price Transparency for Utahns

Written by: Staff

In response to continued high prices in the US healthcare system, a bipartisan effort has led to increased price transparency. For many stakeholders, the goal of this transparency is to make it easier for the average person to find healthcare prices. The Utah Foundation’s report, X-Raying Healthcare, takes a deep dive into healthcare price transparency. Report Highlights Datasets generated by federal price transparency rules have granted researchers, employers, journalists, and other observers unprecedented oversight of the … Continued

Priced Out and Fed Up: Cost of Living and Government Dysfunction are Voters’ Top Issues – 2024 Utah Priorities Project

Written by: Christopher Collard

Each November, Utahns have a chance to shape government to fit their needs. Ideally, the voters’ voices serve as a compass to correct the course of government and shape society. However, information gaps can preclude an ideal outcome. First, politicians and policymakers need to understand Utahns’ priorities. Second, voters need relevant background on the issues that matter most. The Utah Foundation’s Utah Priority Project seeks to fill those information gaps and provide that background. Priced … Continued

Healthy Communities: Cultivating Food Access

Written by: Marguerite Spaethling

INTRODUCTION Food plays an essential role in building healthy communities as it is enmeshed with nearly every social aspect of life. Romantic connections are made over meals, family connections are strengthened by daily dinners, celebrations are defined by the unique dishes served, and business deals are built over lunch. More broadly, national and regional identities can be defined by foods distinct to the area and the sharing of food is a universal gesture of hospitality. … Continued

America’s Nursing School: The Nursing Program at Western Governors University

Written by: Christopher Collard

America’s Nursing School: The Nursing Program at Western Governors University is a new analysis commissioned by Western Governors University (WGU). This brief finds that WGU is playing a leading role in filling this vital health care and economic need across the country. Among the findings of the study: The number of unfilled openings in the health care sector doubled from the end of 2019 to the beginning of 2022. As an online university, WGU has … Continued

Utah Priorities 2020 | Utah Priority No. 1: Health Care (Costs and Accessibility)

Written by: Christopher Collard

Health care has been consistently among the top five issues in past Utah Priorities Projects. It was the top issue for 2016, and although it ranked 5th in March 2020, it jumped back up to the top place in July 2020. While relatively few voters considered health care (costs and accessibility) their top priority, voters often ranked it as one of their top eight issues and rarely ranked it as one of the least concerning … Continued

Utah Rising – Initiatives for a Broad & Rapid Economic Revival

Written by: Staff

At the onset of the 2020 coronavirus pandemic and resultant economic downturn, the Utah Foundation worked with the Finance Committee of the Utah Economic Response Task Force to brainstorm and develop ideas with the potential to aid the economic rebound of the state. This menu of ideas includes some ideas that are well-developed and others in preliminary stages. Some are short-term approaches while others look further onto the horizon. While many of the ideas require … Continued

Coverage and Costs: What’s Driving Medicaid Spending in Utah?

Written by: Sam Brucker

The Affordable Care Act significantly changed national health care policy by expanding Medicaid coverage eligibility to a broader population. Since then, there have been several proposed changes to the program both nationally and in Utah. There are probably more to come. This report addresses Utah’s Medicaid program, the factors driving Medicaid costs, and both recent and proposed changes. This is the third in a series of Utah Foundation reports analyzing the cost of health care in Utah. Part 1 … Continued

Paying a Premium: What’s Driving Health Insurance Costs in Utah?

Written by: Sam Brucker

In 2016, Utah Foundation’s Priorities Project found that citizens were more concerned about health care costs than any other issue. The lively debate over health care costs during the past decade has focused primarily on the implications of national policy. However, states have unique health care landscapes, needs and opportunities. In Part 2 of the Utah Health Cost Series, Utah Foundation examines the employer-sponsored insurance market and the market for individuals purchasing insurance. Paying a … Continued

Bills of Health: What’s Driving Medical Service Costs in Utah

Written by: Sam Brucker

In 2016, Utah Foundation’s Priorities Project found that citizens were more concerned about health care costs than any other issue. The lively debate over health care costs during the past decade has focused primarily on the implications of national policy. However, states have unique health care landscapes, needs and opportunities. In this part of the Utah Health Cost Series, Utah Foundation addresses total spending on health care services in the state, including all payments to … Continued