Medicaid expansion will not be coming to Wyoming this year.
The bill that would have extended Medicaid coverage to Wyomingites passed the state House, but was voted down 19-11 in the Senate Friday, even though Governor Matt Mead urged legislators to pass a form of Medicaid expansion, a crucial component of the federal Affordable Care Act.
“I think legislators were more worried about going against some constituents’ wishes than about going against the governor’s wishes,” Representative Sue Wilson (R-Laramie) said.
The House Labor Committee was in the process of creating an alternative bill; however, it was pulled once it was clear the Senate was not going to pass expansion related bills, Wilson said.
Withholding the bill could have negative effects on the state. Through its enforcement, it would have provided healthcare to 17,600 residents, created 800 jobs and allocated $100 million a year in federal money to the state, Tom Forslund, director of the Wyoming Department of Health, said.
“The bottom line is it’s a status quo for another year. As the situation exists today, it will exist for a minimum of 12 more months,” Forslund said. “The people who don’t have insurance today will continue to not have insurance available to them unless they can find a job that provides insurance.”
The federal government assured it would fund the expansion program 100 percent initially and continue to provide for 90 percent of costs terminally; however, Senator Charles Scott (R-Natrona) said he did not think the support would last, adding that other sectors of the state economy could be impacted.
“Many of us were afraid that when the feds reduce their support as they will, we would have to raid funds for education, particularly UW, and aid to cities and towns because those are the only places with enough money, and we don’t want to do that,” he said.
Issues still need to be addressed in Wyoming hospitals, Wilson said. As the Wyoming healthcare system operates now, hospitals are legally required to provide care to people who cannot pay for the assistance. Wilson added that half of the facilities are in debt on operations.
“If nothing changes, it is possible that some hospitals will close,” she said.
It is unlikely any other Medicaid bills will come forward in the current legislative session, as it was evident the Senate will not pass it, Wilson said. Near the end of session committees discuss interim topics, and it is possible Medicaid expansion may be selected once again, Forslund said.
Ultimately, it will be in the hands of the state legislature to either change or maintain the Wyoming healthcare system.
“The legislature passed legislation that takes away authority from the executive branch to do anything about it,” Forslund said. “It’s up to the elected officials whether or not Medicaid is expanded or not.”
