Healthcare

Priced Out and Fed Up: Cost of Living and Government Dysfunction are Voters’ Top Issues

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

United Way of Treasure Valley 2017 Community Assessment

Written by: Shawn Teigen

In 2016, the United Way of Treasure Valley retained Utah Foundation to perform a Community Assessment of the United Way’s three-county service area. Work was completed in 2017. The Community Assessment is seen as a foundation to achieve community goals. For the assessment, Utah Foundation analyzed community data as indicators of community success, barriers to reveal hindrances to community success, and opportunities as potential solutions to barriers. To inform the assessment, Utah Foundation held focus groups … Continued

Utah Foundation Quality of Life Index: 2015 – From Concern About Jobs to an Embrace of Natural Surroundings

Written by: Shawn Teigen

The third biennial Utah Foundation Quality of Life Index stands at 76.9 out of a possible 100 points, down more than one point from 78.2 in the 2013 index, and down slightly from 77.2 in the 2011 index. Utah Foundation produces the Index in collaboration with Intermountain Healthcare. While overall Utahns rate themselves as having a high quality of life, several of the quality of life aspects most important to them – like public schools, … Continued