UtahUtah Medicaid will list transplant drugs starting in 2027
Starting in 2027, Utah’s health department must list transplant rejection drugs for Medicaid and apply to move children’s health coverage into Medicaid.
What it does
Starting March 1, 2027, the department must put drugs used to prevent transplant rejection on Medicaid’s preferred drug list. The rule excludes drugs used for autoimmune conditions.
The department must seek federal approval to provide children’s health coverage through Medicaid instead of a separate program. If approved, dental care should come through the University of Utah network when possible.
The department is listed to receive $759,700 for substance use treatment and prevention, including Medicaid matching funds for treatment. The payment depends on legislative approval and available account money.
Argument forIf lawmakers provide the money and the account has enough funds, substance use programs could receive support for treatment and prevention services.
Argument againstMoving children's coverage into Medicaid could make the change harder for families to follow while federal approval and the transition are pending.
More detail
The Department of Health and Human Services must add qualifying transplant drugs to Medicaid’s preferred drug list. These are drugs used to help prevent the body from rejecting transplanted organs or tissue. The definition excludes drugs used to treat autoimmune diseases or diseases most likely to have an autoimmune cause. The preferred drug list requirement starts March 1, 2027.
The department must apply for federal approval to move Utah’s Children’s Health Insurance Program into Medicaid. This applies to Utah’s Children’s Health Insurance Program and the children it covers. If the application is approved and the program moves, dental care should come through the University of Utah School of Dentistry and its statewide network when possible. The department must apply before July 1, 2026.
The Division of Finance must distribute money from the restricted account to the Department of Health and Human Services for substance use treatment and prevention. The stated $759,700 is for the department’s Office of Substance Use and Mental Health, including Medicaid matching funds for treatment. The distribution depends on legislative approval of the money and on funds being available in the account; if funds are short, distributions are made in listed priority order until the money runs out. The distribution is listed for each fiscal year, subject to legislative approval.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed House
- Passed Senate
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Mar 25Governor Spencer Cox SignedBecame Law
- Mar 11House/ to GovernorTo Governor
- Mar 11House/ received enrolled bill from PrintingMinor
- Mar 10House/ enrolled bill to Printing
- Mar 10Enrolled Bill Returned to House or SenateMinor
- Mar 6Draft of Enrolled Bill Prepared
- Mar 6Bill Received from House for EnrollingMinor
- Mar 5House/ signed by Speaker/ sent for enrollingMajor
- Vote recorded Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspension. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 5House/ received from SenateMinor
- Mar 5Senate/ to House
- Mar 5Senate/ signed by President/ returned to HouseMajor
- Mar 5Senate/ passed 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspensionPassed Senate
- Mar 5Senate/ 2nd & 3rd readings/ suspensionMinor
- Mar 5Senate/ Rules to 2nd Reading Calendar
- Mar 5Senate/ 2nd Reading Calendar to Rules [Senate Rules Committee]Minor
- Mar 5Senate/ placed on 2nd Reading Calendar
- Mar 5Senate/ committee report favorable [Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee]Minor
- Mar 4Senate Comm - Favorable Recommendation [Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee]Minor
- Mar 4LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0599S03
- Mar 4LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0599S03
- Mar 4Senate/ to standing committee [Senate Government Operations and Political Subdivisions Committee]Minor
- Mar 3LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0599S03
- Vote recorded House/ passed 3rd reading. Result: pass.Lower
- Mar 3LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0599S02
- Mar 3Senate/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Mar 3Senate/ received from HouseMinor
- Mar 3LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0599S03
- Mar 3LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0599S02
- Mar 3House/ to Senate
- Mar 3House/ passed 3rd readingPassed House
- Mar 3House/ substituted
- Mar 3House/ 3rd readingMinor
- Mar 3LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0599S03
- Mar 3LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0599S03
- Mar 3LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0599S02
- Mar 3LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0599S02
- Mar 3LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0599S01
- Mar 3LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0599S01
- Mar 2House/ 2nd readingMinor
- Mar 2House/ comm rpt/ substituted [House Rules Committee]
- Mar 2House Comm - Favorable Recommendation [House Rules Committee]Minor
- Mar 2House Comm - Substitute Recommendation [House Rules Committee]Major
- Mar 2House/ received fiscal note from Fiscal AnalystMinor
- Mar 2LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0599S01
- Mar 2LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0599S01
- Mar 1LFA/ fiscal note publicly available for HB0599
- Mar 1LFA/ fiscal note sent to sponsor for HB0599
- Feb 25House/ 1st reading (Introduced)Minor
- Feb 25House/ received bill from Legislative ResearchMinor
- Feb 25LFA/ bill sent to agencies for fiscal input for HB0599
- Feb 25LFA/ bill assigned to staff for fiscal analysis for HB0599
- Feb 25Numbered Bill Publicly Distributed
- Feb 25Bill Numbered but not DistributedIntroduced
HealthcareMental Health