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Committee Considers Medicaid Expansion

Bob Beck

Members of a legislative committee say they plan to support at least one bill that would expand Medicaid services in the state to provide Health Insurance to a low income population that can’t afford health insurance.

The committee is looking at two bills and there is a chance they may be combined into one piece of legislation.   The state has proposed a plan where it would use federal dollars to provide health insurance.  Senator Charles Scott has crafted a plan that uses Medicaid dollars to fund a health savings account that participants would use to purchase private insurance.

 In the past the committee has not supported expanding Medicaid, but several committee members say that they plan to support something.
 

Senator Bernadine Craft said that she likes aspects of both bills and may support legislation that combines them.  But Craft is very excited that something may finally get committee support.

 “This is an issue that impacts all of our citizens to one degree or another and I’m happy because I think we are much closer to coming to some kind of consensus.”

Senator Ray Peterson has opposed expansion in the past, but thinks the time may be right.

 “I’m running out of excuses to my constituents of why we can’t do some things here in Wyoming to better our citizens and the situations that they’re in.”

Committee members will amend and vote on the bills on Tuesday.  If they pass legislation it will advance to the full legislature for further consideration.

Bob Beck retired from Wyoming Public Media after serving as News Director of Wyoming Public Radio for 34 years. During his time as News Director WPR has won over 100 national, regional and state news awards.
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