Wyoming Legislative Health Committee Agrees To Sponsor Three Health-Related Bills

The Joint Labor, Health and Social Services Committee in the Wyoming Legislature voted last week to sponsor three bills "intended to help Wyoming's health care industry," the AP/Casper Star Tribune reports. The "most popular" bill, sponsored by state Sen. Tex Boggs (D), would establish a state nursing education loan program for students at Wyoming community colleges and the University of Wyoming. Nurses would not have to repay the loans if they agree to practice in the state for a period of time commensurate to the amount of their loans. State Sen. Charles Scott (R), committee co-chair, said he expected the state would have problems finding ways to fund the $3.9 million-a-year program. A second bill would seek to shift up to $9.5 million in Medicaid costs from providers to the federal government, the AP/Star Tribune reports. The third bill, which would permit small businesses to pool together to purchase cheaper health insurance for their employees, drew criticism from insurance companies, the AP/Star Tribune reports. "If it were possible to market our product at a lower price, we'd do it," Rick Schum, vice president of marketing for Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Wyoming, said. The measures will be introduced when the Legislature resumes in January (AP/Casper Star Tribune, 11/11).