On Thursday, May 1, 2025, the Faith and Advocacy Coalition to End Hunger and Homelessness submitted the following letter to Utah’s Department of Health and Human Services, and other state leaders, raising concerns about a proposal to add work requirements to Utah’s Medicaid Program. The letter was signed by 67 people from eleven different denominations and three different nonprofit organizations, located in areas ranging from Ogden to Park City to Springville. This proposal would require thousands of underemployed and unemployed Utahns to apply for 48 jobs within three months in order to maintain access to basic healthcare.
Here are six statements from people about why they signed the letter:
- Rev. Lora Young, Minister, South Valley Unitarian Universalist Society: "Parents want a better life for their children. This waiver does not help them succeed- the difference between 29 and 30 hours per week is a systemic issue for business owners and corporations rooted in a healthcare system that has failed us. Placing burdens to somehow prove worthiness for benefits through metrics such as requiring 48 applications in three months does not change the job market, wage rates, marketability or skills or the availability of reliable and affordable child care. It only makes a parents life more difficult and stressful- because now they have yet one more stressor to address. Let's create policies that recognize and address real barriers so that parents can succeed rather than struggle even more to make ends meet. Utah can be a model for sensible, compassionate, fair and effective policies that support families- this has long been a value in Utah and as a faith leader I know we can accomplish this and so much more if we work together on this."
- Reverend Philip M. Rogers II, Mountain Vista United Methodist Church: "As a United Methodist clergyperson fully committed to justice and compassion, I am deeply troubled by the Utah Department of Health and Human Services move to impose stricter work requirements on Medicaid recipients. Healthcare is a human right, not a reward for employment. Policies that threaten to strip coverage from vulnerable neighbors contradict the biblical call to do good, do no harm, and stay in love with God by caring for the least among us. While I believe the intention of our state leaders is likely pure- urging all of our fellow community members to become self-sustaining and to contribute to the greater good of the community- this action will only serve to further bury them in a system that is not created for independence and I call on our state leaders to reconsider this and stand against unjust ideas."
- Charles Hines, Pastor, St. Francis of Assisi Christian Church (Disciples of Christ): "As a person involved with prison ministry, I believe that good job programs sell themselves. People, released from prison, with children over age 6 should not have to live under the cloud of losing Medicaid. The challenges already faced by released prisoners are great."
- Deb Elstad, Lay Leader, Mt. Tabor Lutheran Church: "As Lutherans and Christians, the central call to believers is most emphatic that we tend first to our less able or less fortunate neighbors: feed the hungry, care for the sick and homeless. We are compelled to open the doors wide to provide for these neighbors. Legislative efforts that would increase barriers, reduce or eliminate assistance already provided by federal or state programs is in opposition to these fundamentals. We believe everyone is worthy of healthcare and basic life-sustaining services. All efforts to create them and maintain them are of utmost importance."
- Linda F. Smith, Board Member, First Unitarian Church of Salt Lake City: “Requiring parents of school-aged children who are already working part-time to apply for 48 different jobs every three months is not going to help them achieve better earnings or better employment. They already have incentives to do that. Many have challenges with balancing their work schedules and their kids school schedules, many have children with disabilities or medical needs that preclude working more than they already are."
- Alice Griffin, Board Member, Crossroads Urban Center: ""Crossroads Urban Center's food pantries and thrift store help people every day who are working low wage jobs that don't provide healthcare benefits. They come to us because they don't get paid enough to be able to pay for rent all their other bills. Those people should not be be forced to take time off work to apply for 48 other low paying jobs in three months. Instead they need programs that help them find better jobs without risking losing the job they already have."
Members of FACE Hunger and Homelessness at the Utah Capitol Building in January of this year.
