The Wyoming House of Representatives made some changes to a bill that would reform how the state handles people involuntarily hospitalized due to mental illness.
During second reading debate, the House adopted an amendment that gives more authority to so-called ‘Gatekeepers’.
Every county will now have a gatekeeper that will watch over the patient and how their case is handled.
Gillette Republican Eric Barlow said his amendment clarifies the gatekeeper’s duties.
“They are to advise the courts, advise county attorneys, they are to advise all the parties interested in the care, because there is two processes going on here. There’s a legal process and a health care outcome that we’re looking for. Hopefully what the outcome will be is reduced cost because we are diverting people away from the high cost end such as hospitalization into community care.”
Barlow said that would include outpatient treatment. The bill will be debated one more time.