House OKs bill boosting health care for documented immigrants' kids

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A bill that would provide health care to children of documented immigrants cleared the House on Monday.

HB171, sponsored by Rep. Kory Holdaway, R-Taylorsville, would drop the five-year residency requirement for documented immigrants to receive coverage under Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program.

"I've been waiting to vote for this bill because it says, 'You do it right, and we will support you,' " said Rep. Eric Hutchings, R-Kearns. "We want legal immigration in this state."

Others, though, opposed the bill, saying it would cause Utah to become a magnet for documented immigrants.

The bill passed the House 50-23 and passed its initial Senate vote. The Senate must vote once more before heads to the governor for his signature.