SALT LAKE CITY -- Emergency dental service funding for 40,000 blind, disabled and elderly residents will be continued through $2 million in private donations to supplement federal budget cuts.

The cuts to the Medicaid program were set to take place July 1 and legislators refused to provide state funding to make up for the shortfall. Legislators said they already increased Medicaid funding by $100 million this year and that the dental program was near the bottom of a legislative priority list. Some said the state health department had enough money to fund the program within its existing budget if it chose to do so.

Gov. Jon M. Huntsman announced last week that an anonymous donor was willing to donate $1 million toward the program if matching private donations could be secured.

Small private donations began pouring in and Huntsman and legislative leaders announced Wednesday that Intermountain Healthcare agreed to match the original $1 million donation, which was offered by billionaire philanthropist Jim Sorenson.

Sorenson said he donated the money because there was a need for it.

"I stand by the governor and his desire to help those who have less and need more," Sorenson said.

The announcement is a one-year fix to a problem that legislators say will only grow in the future.

"This is the first wave of cuts that we've seen coming in the Medicaid system. We'll probably see more. In fact, I know we'll see more," said Senate President John Valentine, R-Orem.

Community advocate Pamela Atkinson said there was a great outpouring of generosity among state residents but it's unclear exactly how much money has been pledged by individuals so far. Some organizations are still deciding whether to donate.

"I know some of the recipients personally. This is going to make an incredible difference in their lives. Some of these people will be able to stay in their jobs while others are able to get jobs," Atkinson said.

Lawmakers praised Utah residents' willingness to help the needy, but said the state needs to focus on finding a permanent solution.

"We've got to look at different fixes and solutions longer term for Medicaid. We're going to see $42.5 billion in federal support dry up across the nation. Our portion is significant -- just under $20 million," Huntsman said.

This story appeared in The Daily Herald on page A1.