The fight over Governor Gary Herbert's "Healthy Utah" alternative to Medicaid expansion is about to heat up.
A Florida based group, the right-wing Foundation for Government Accountability, has started sending out mailers to Utahns slamming Herbert's plan. They've also set up a website UnhealthyUtah.com.
According to Sourcewatch, the Foundation for Government Accountability is affiliated with ALEC and a member of the Koch-funded State Policy Network.
Jason Stevenson with the Utah Health Policy Project says the same group is behind a similar attack against the "Healthy Indiana" plan in that state.
"You'll notice they are not going after the plan, but attacking Gov. Herbert," says Stevenson. "They're using an emotional argument. There have been four public opinion polls showing that once Utahns understand what's in Healthy Utah, they like it."
Stevenson says they're basically using the same arguments they did in Indiana to argue against that state's plan.
"This group is using arguments that are outdated and non-Utah focused. They're throwing a bunch of "red meat" language against the wall to see what sticks."
Gov. Herbert's office is aware of the group and their burgeoning efforts in the state.
Spokesperson Marty Carpenter calls the FGA's strategy frustrating.
"Anytime groups try to come in from out of state and get involved in policy decisions, it's troubling," says Carpenter. "The name of the game for us is the help people understand what we are trying to do."
Carpenter says they're not especially worried that the attacks from the group will poison the well as they try to get Utah lawmakers to sign on to their plan.
"We are confident that politically savvy Utahns, including legislators, have a really good radar for outside influences that could be counterproductive. Lawmakers will make their decision based on what's in the plan."
Carpenter says Gov. Herbert plans to meet with newly elected legislative leadership in the next week or so to discuss how to roll out his plan to lawmakers prior to the 2015 legislative session.
