U.S. Treasury Secretary John Snow applauded Utah Governor Olene S. Walker for implementing a state qualified health plan option under the federal Health Coverage Tax Credit Program (HCTC) that will help cover the cost of health insurance premiums for many Utah residents.

"I am pleased that Governor Walker and interested parties in the state of Utah have worked so hard to make the Health Coverage Tax Credit program available to more than 1,100 workers and their families," stated Treasury Secretary John Snow. "I commend them for their leadership in establishing a new private health plan to provide coverage for people eligible under Trade Adjustment Assistance. The HCTC program is a real innovation in tax policy, one that we hope will lead the way for other innovations that help real people obtain the health care coverage that they need in a flexible and reliable way. We want to ensure that those who qualify for the credit get the help they need as quickly as possible."

The Trade Adjustment Assistance Act President Bush signed into law in 2002 included the new Health Coverage Tax Credit (HCTC). Recipients can receive the HCTC either in advance, to help pay qualified health plan premiums as they come due, or in a lump sum when they file their federal tax returns. The HCTC advance payments program began nationally in August 2003. This program provides an advanced payment of 65% of the premium cost for a qualified health plan for individuals who are eligible to receive Trade Adjustment Assistance (TAA) benefits or certain individuals who receive pension benefit payments from the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation (PBGC).

In order to receive the credit, eligible individuals must enroll in qualified health insurance, such as a COBRA health plan or State Qualified Health Plan (SQHP). Currently, thirty-two states and the District of Columbia now have SQHPs that enable more than 196,500 of those potentially eligible for the HCTC to purchase health coverage. Nationwide, there are nearly 250,000 individuals potentially eligible for the HCTC.

For more information on the health insurance programs that qualify, please visit the HCTC website at www.irs.gov and enter IRS Keyword: HCTC

11:22:43 AM    

The Utah Geological Survey now publishes its Survey Notes online.  The current issue has geologic hazards, including earthquakes as a theme.  If you would like to increase your understanding of earthquake hazards facing Utah, don't miss this issue.  Other articles cover topics as diverse as storing carbon dioxide emissions underground and the Little Sahara Sand Dunes.

April Issue of Survey Notes

10:55:02 AM    

(Salt Lake City, Utah) – The Utah Department of Health (UDOH) will be accepting applications for CHIP (Utah’s Children’s Health Insurance Program) during Open Enrollment, May 3 – May 12, 2004. Spring is a great time to enroll your kids on CHIP. CHIP gives you the relief of knowing your children have health insurance coverage while they enjoy warm weather sports and activities.

Learn more about CHIP by making a simple call to 1-877-KIDS-NOW to receive an application by mail or find a UDOH eligibility office in your area. Beginning Monday, May 3, and ending Wednesday, May 12, applications will be accepted in person, online at www.health.utah.gov/chip, or by mail postmarked between May 3 and May 12. The UDOH will accept all eligible Utah children who apply during this Open Enrollment session.

CHIP is a health insurance plan for children funded jointly by the federal and state governments. To receive CHIP, children must qualify based on family size and household income. For example, a family of four earning up to $37,700 a year may qualify. In addition, children must also be younger than 19, U.S. citizens or legal residents, and not currently covered by health insurance to qualify. Once enrolled on CHIP, families may be required to pay premiums of up to $25 every three months. Premiums and small co-pays make it possible for CHIP to insure more children.

Since 1998, CHIP has covered nearly 71,000 Utah kids. Today enrollment is at just over 25,000 children. The dates and length of Open Enrollment periods are determined by how many children enroll, the number who leave the program, and available funding.

"I’m pleased to announce that CHIP will be able to accept new children this spring," said Scott Williams, M.D., UDOH Executive Director. "As a pediatrician, I know how much it puts parents at ease to have their children covered by health insurance and how much it helps their doctors to be able to provide good health care for them." "My son Taylor has asthma," says Kristi Allred, CHIP mom and CHIP Advisory Council Member. "Having CHIP means Taylor’s asthma is treated so he can play baseball and other sports this spring."

The UDOH will conduct "A Good Call for Kids" media campaign featuring children who have benefited from CHIP during April and May. Watch and listen for information about CHIP Open Enrollment on TV, in newspapers, and on the radio. Outreach will also be conducted via community partners, including schools, child care agencies, and advocacy groups. For more information, visit www.health.utah.gov/chip or call 1-877-KIDS-NOW.

10:48:04 AM    

SALT LAKE CITY – The Division of Wildlife Resources is accepting applications from landowners to participate in a new program that will improve habitat conditions for sensitive wildlife species on their property. Applications for the Landowner Incentive Program (LIP) will be accepted through April 30, 2004.

The LIP is a voluntary program that provides technical and financial assistance, including habitat protection and restoration, to private landowners for the protection and management of habitat to benefit federally listed, proposed, candidate or other at-risk species on private lands.

The Division of Wildlife Resources (DWR) has identified two main focus areas for the LIP in Utah:

• Sagebrush steppe uplands supporting populations of greater sage-grouse, Gunnison sage-grouse, Columbian sharp-tailed grouse, other at-risk neotropical migratory bird species, pygmy rabbit, Utah prairie-dog, white-tailed prairie-dog, or Gunnison's prairie-dog; and
   
• Low-to-mid elevation riparian corridors and associated wetlands supporting Columbia spotted frog, least chub, Bonneville cutthroat trout, Colorado River cutthroat trout, native populations of Yellowstone cutthroat trout, and yellow-billed cuckoo, Southwestern willow flycatcher or other at-risk neotropical migratory bird species.

Habitat restoration practices will include: mechanical treatment and seeding of decadent sagebrush stands; fuel breaks to control the spread of wildfires; stream channel restoration; and riparian plantings. The LIP also provides for the acquisition of conservation easements, from willing sellers, to protect habitats in key areas.

Applications received after April 30, 2004 will be held and considered for funding during the second round of review, if funds are still available.

For more information, landowners should contact the regional habitat manager at the nearest DWR regional office or their local Natural Resources Conservation Service office or USDA Service Center.

• Utah landowner incentive program
• Application form

10:45:14 AM    

The Utah Department of Agriculture has announced the availability of special one-time funding for the control of mosquitoes.  The purpose is to limit the spread of West Nile Virus within counties or mosquito control areas in the State.  Eligible entities should submit an application by April 30th.
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