Welcome to Inside Voices, a weekly newsletter that features a collection of ideas, perspectives and solutions from across Utah — without any of the vitriol or yelling that’s become all too common on other platforms. Subscribe here.
Two health-care crises are slowly unfolding across urban and rural Utah.
More than 350,000 Utahns face the prospect of doubled health insurance premiums if Congress doesn’t extend Enhance Premium Tax Credits by year’s end.
Matt Hasbrouck, CEO of St. Mark’s Hospital in Millcreek, makes the stakes clear: Without the tax credits, a family of four earning $64,000 would pay $2,500 more per year for coverage — and the state could lose nearly 3,000 jobs and take a $335 million GDP hit.
“If these tax credits are allowed to expire,” Hasbrouck warns, “more Utahns will lose coverage.”
Simultaneously, Utah’s mental health warnings are flashing red. The state ranks fourth nationally in happiness but also seventh in suicide deaths, conflicting with its “happy” reputation.
Medical student Briggs Miller argues that the mental health and suicide crisis is particularly severe in Utah’s rural areas: 26 deaths per 100,000 people compared to 18.6 in urban areas.
“[Rural areas] often face lower insurance coverage rates, fewer available providers, lower health literacy, and major geographic and transportation barriers,” he explains.
Both crises point to the same systemic problem: health-care access. One needs immediate congressional action, the other will require sustained, long-term commitment.
Read both perspectives on what’s broken — and what’s at stake.
And let me know: What health-care access challenges do you see in your community?
— Sam Morse, Newsletter Editor
Utah Voices
Rep. Trevor Lee’s proposal to rename Harvey Milk Boulevard after Charlie Kirk deserves formal censure
“This proposal is not about public policy or civic betterment,” writes Clifton Wright, of Salt Lake City. “It 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’s actions and to work with House leadership to hold him accountable.”
Read more.Given the average salary in Utah, who can afford a home in Salt Lake City?
“The average home price in Salt Lake City is currently $570,000 as of 2024 (Redfin, 2025),” writes Sara Hansen, from Salt Lake City. “Just 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?” Read more.
Our leaders should reject the rhetoric of violence
I was a soldier during the Vietnam War.” writes George Sumner. “My 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’s 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.” Read more.
There is no bottom to Trump and what he will do to anyone he doesn’t like
“Petty, pettiness, vindictive: Google defines these words as being small-minded, spiteful and showing a strong desire for revenge,” writes Jack Lader, from Herriman. “Because 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’s many failures. …At the same time under Trump’s directions they are reinstalling statues of traitorous Confederate generals.” Read more.
Share Your Perspective
It’s 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 — even if they remain partially staffed.
But parks aren’t the half of it. Beyond right and left and political gamesmanship, in a shutdown, it’s the American people who ultimately lose.
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’re being affected.
From Bagley’s Desk
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