Happy Saturday! Welcome to Inside Voices, your go-to source for thoughtful ideas and solutions from Utah without the negativity found in many other platforms.
It’s open enrollment time, and many Utahns are feeling the weight of rising health care costs. One woman shared that her insurance rates are tripling next year. The stress from shopping for new plans led her to contact her elected officials. She expressed disappointment when her concerns were ignored by most. In a heartfelt op-ed, Tawnya Gibson described her frustration as she struggles to balance her budget in the face of growing financial demands.
University of Utah student Addison Burnsed, recently diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, also voiced her worries about soaring health costs. Thousands like her are not covered by Utah’s insulin co-pay cap. In her op-ed, she called for a nationwide insulin co-pay cap that covers all patients, urging readers to reach out to their representatives.
In a recent survey, many of you shared how copays impact your access to care. Here’s what some of you said:
- Jean from St. George wrote that her $35 physical therapy copay is already a stretch, and now it’s rising to $45.
- One anonymous subscriber compared her experience growing up without insurance to her children today, who face high deductibles that prevent them from seeking necessary care.
- Mike from Salt Lake City shared frustrations about insurance requiring outdated medications before allowing necessary treatments.
- Deena recounted how a $600 upfront cost for a scan forced her to cancel and seek care elsewhere without that burden.
- Polly expressed anxiety over seeing a dermatologist due to cost concerns, noting how her healthy spouse was billed over $1,600 for an annual physical.
Clearly, the burden of healthcare costs is a shared concern. So many are weighed down by decisions about essential care. It’s vital we keep these conversations going.
On another note, the Salt Lake Tribune has announced the search for this year’s Utahn of the Year. Since 1997, the paper has recognized individuals or groups that embody significant stories from the state. You can cast your vote in their poll to have your say on who reflects Utah’s spirit in 2025.
In recent opinion pieces, various writers in The Tribune explored pressing issues facing Utah:
- A University of Utah professor emphasized the negative impact of a new policy on educators, highlighting the struggles of career-line faculty.
- A student who grew up around guns cautioned against bringing firearms onto college campuses, arguing that urban environments require different considerations.
- Another writer drew parallels between the historic persecution faced by Latter-day Saints and contemporary immigration policies, calling for more compassion and understanding.
- A perspective on faith crises within the Latter-day Saint community encouraged an understanding that growth often emerges from challenging experiences.
Such diverse viewpoints illustrate the richness of discussion in our community and the range of challenges we face together. As we move further into the new year, consider what changes or improvements you’d like to see in Utah. Your voice matters; let’s keep the dialogue alive.
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