Utahns are besieged by the threat of rising insurance premiums and a deep mental health crisis. <\/p>\n
(Jeff Roberson | AP Photo)<\/p>\n
Welcome to Inside Voices, a weekly newsletter that features a collection of ideas, perspectives and solutions from across Utah \u2014 without any of the vitriol or yelling that\u2019s become all too common on other platforms. Subscribe here.<\/a><\/p>\n Two health-care crises are slowly unfolding across urban and rural Utah. <\/p>\n More than 350,000 Utahns face the prospect of doubled health insurance premiums if Congress doesn\u2019t extend Enhance Premium Tax Credits by year\u2019s end. <\/p>\n Matt Hasbrouck, CEO of St. Mark\u2019s Hospital in Millcreek, makes the stakes clear<\/a>: Without the tax credits, a family of four earning $64,000 would pay $2,500 more per year for coverage \u2014 and the state could lose nearly 3,000 jobs and take a $335 million GDP hit.<\/p>\n \u201cIf these tax credits are allowed to expire,\u201d Hasbrouck warns, \u201cmore Utahns will lose coverage.\u201d<\/p>\n Simultaneously, Utah\u2019s mental health warnings<\/a> are flashing red. The state ranks fourth nationally in happiness but also seventh in suicide deaths, conflicting with its \u201chappy\u201d reputation.<\/p>\n Medical student Briggs Miller argues that the mental health and suicide crisis is particularly severe in Utah\u2019s rural areas: 26 deaths per 100,000 people compared to 18.6 in urban areas. <\/p>\n \u201c[Rural areas] often face lower insurance coverage rates, fewer available providers, lower health literacy, and major geographic and transportation barriers,\u201d he explains. <\/p>\n Both crises point to the same systemic problem: health-care access. One needs immediate congressional action<\/a>, the other will require sustained, long-term commitment<\/a>. <\/p>\n Read both perspectives on what\u2019s broken \u2014 and what\u2019s at stake. <\/p>\n And let me know: What health-care access challenges do you see in your community? <\/p>\n \u2014 Sam Morse, Newsletter Editor<\/p>\n Utah Voices<\/p>\n (Francisco Kjolseth | The Salt Lake Tribune) A street sign for Harvey Milk Blvd. in Salt Lake City is shown on July 22, 2022.<\/p>\n Rep. Trevor Lee\u2019s proposal to rename Harvey Milk Boulevard after Charlie Kirk deserves formal censure<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThis proposal is not about public policy or civic betterment,\u201d writes Clifton Wright, of Salt Lake City. \u201cIt is a performative, politically motivated stunt designed to provoke and divide. And while every legislator is entitled to their opinions, using their public office to target marginalized communities is unacceptable. Gov. Cox, I am calling on you to publicly denounce Rep. Lee\u2019s actions and to work with House leadership to hold him accountable.\u201d <\/p>\n Read more.<\/a>Given the average salary in Utah, who can afford a home in Salt Lake City?<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cThe average home price in Salt Lake City is currently $570,000 as of 2024 (Redfin, 2025),\u201d writes Sara Hansen, from Salt Lake City. \u201cJust 10 years ago the average price for a home was $272,000 [BestSaltLakeHomes, 2024]. The average Utah resident will make $53,000 a year; this is a take home amount of $1,757 a month [Smartasset, 2025]. The mortgage for a home purchased at $570,000 is $3,103. How, may I ask, is a person supposed to buy a home in this state on that kind of salary?\u201d Read more.<\/a><\/p>\n Our leaders should reject the rhetoric of violence<\/a><\/p>\n I was a soldier during the Vietnam War.\u201d writes George Sumner. \u201cMy country taught me that fighting meant killing enemy soldiers. I learned that. I did it. It was violent. But to them fighting is not violent. They sincerely believe that attending Zoom meetings, knocking on doors, writing texts and emails, giving speeches, talking on the phone, and arguing under Robert\u2019s Rules of Order are fighting. They should understand, however, there are those rare listeners who, upon hearing an authority figure urge them to fight, will take up arms.\u201d Read more. <\/a><\/p>\n There is no bottom to Trump and what he will do to anyone he doesn\u2019t like<\/a><\/p>\n \u201cPetty, pettiness, vindictive: Google defines these words as being small-minded, spiteful and showing a strong desire for revenge,\u201d writes Jack Lader, from Herriman. \u201cBecause of his recent actions to deny actor Tom Hanks an award from the United States Military Academy these words can easily be added to multiple other words to describe Donald Trump\u2019s many failures. \u2026At the same time under Trump\u2019s directions they are reinstalling statues of traitorous Confederate generals.\u201d Read more. <\/a><\/p>\n Share Your Perspective <\/p>\n (Doug McMurdo | The Moab Times-Independent) Balanced Rock remains a favorite roadside stop for visitors to Arches National Park.<\/p>\n It\u2019s official folks: The U.S. Government has shut down. And with some of the most highly visited national parks in the country, Utah stands to bear a significant brunt<\/a> \u2014 even if they remain partially staffed. <\/p>\n But parks aren\u2019t the half of it. Beyond right and left and political gamesmanship, in a shutdown, it\u2019s the American people who ultimately lose. <\/p>\n With that in mind, how will this shutdown impact your family and livelihood? Please write in and let us know the big and small ways you\u2019re being affected. <\/p>\n From Bagley\u2019s Desk<\/p>\n Pat Bagley | Politics and Religion<\/p>\n Drop Us a Note<\/p>\n We\u2019re always looking for fresh perspectives, ideas and solutions that\u2019ll move our state forward. Learn more about our guidelines for an op-ed, guest essay, letter to the editor and more here<\/a>, and drop us a note at voices@sltrib.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Utahns are besieged by the threat of rising insurance premiums and a deep mental health crisis. 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