In a recent op-ed in The Tribune, Aaron Caroll describes the increasing scarcity of pediatricians and the upcoming crisis that will bring to our children. He blames the system-wide undervaluing and underpayment for pediatrician services, especially by the Medicaid program.

In Utah, Medicaid covers the costs of health care for one-in-six of our children. The federal government pays for more than two-thirds of the costs of that care. The Utah Legislature, acting as the taxpayers’ frugal (stingy?) purchasing agent, restricts how much (both state and federal) is invested in the care of children.

To serve a child, a practice must first pay employee wages (scheduler, receptionist, medical assistant, billing), rent, insurance, utilities, etc. Whatever is left over after overhead costs goes to the pediatrician.

Under the tight fiscal control of the Legislature, Utah Medicaid pays about $25 less than the overhead costs for each patient visit. Not only does the pediatrician not receive any pay for her expertise, but that unreimbursed overhead cost comes out of her pocket.

The Utah Legislature has monopolies on both the education of our children and on the publicly supported health care for a sixth of our kids. With that monopoly power they are getting more than they are paying for. The term for getting more than you pay for… is theft. Wage theft. Your legislators are stealing from teachers and pediatricians on your behalf. If you don’t want to be an accomplice to that theft, then elect different legislators.

William E. Cosgrove, Cottonwood Heights

By William E. Cosgrove | The Public Forum

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