A Senate committee on Feb. 20 favorably recommended House Bill 310, a measure that creates a pathway for adults receiving in‑home Medicaid services to increase earned income without immediately losing those essential services.

Sponsor overview: the sponsor said the bill aims to eliminate or reduce the “income cliff” that forces people with disabilities to restrict earnings to keep Medicaid coverage for in‑home supports (assistance with dressing, bathing and activities of daily living). Under the proposed framework, as beneficiaries’ incomes rise they would pay a growing share toward their Medicaid coverage on a sliding scale and keep in‑home services until a higher statutory cap is reached; the sponsor referenced an upper limit of roughly 800 percent of the federal poverty level as an off‑ramp target (the sponsor described that amount as roughly $120,000 before taxes, and noted that actual take‑home pay and out‑of‑pocket caregiver costs would affect household finances).

Public testimony: a University of Utah student testified that despite holding private insurance she relied on Medicaid for caregiving services and intentionally limited her income to retain those services. She described turning down promotions and opportunities to avoid losing coverage and urged passage to allow people to work without forfeiting essential supports.

Committee action: Senator Escamilla moved adoption of the first substitute and Senator Escamilla (and other members) supported the motion; committee members voted to favorably recommend the first substitute to the full Senate. The committee recorded a committee vote advancing the bill to the Senate.

What the bill would do: create an on‑ramp/off‑ramp model that preserves in‑home Medicaid services while a beneficiary’s income increases; require beneficiaries to pay increasing shares as income rises; and preserve continuity of care for individuals who would otherwise be forced to restrict work. The substitute as discussed would apply to adult beneficiaries receiving certain in‑home supports and contemplates a phased buy‑in up to a statutory cap (sponsor cited 800% of poverty as the target cap). The bill sponsor said the plan is to reduce disincentives to work while preserving needed services for daily living.

Next steps: the bill will go to the full Senate for further consideration.