Medicaid Expansion, Budget Issues Face Lawmakers

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A Wyoming Senate committee could decide by the end of this week on the general outlines of how the state may try to expand Medicaid to cover thousands of working poor.

Lawmakers will also work this week to craft a supplemental budget bill that could see the state put less money into its rainy day fund to cover sagging revenues in the face of lower oil prices.

Tensions are high regarding the Medicaid expansion plan proposed by Gov. Matt Mead's administration and an alternative plan supported by Casper Republican Sen. Charles Scott, R-Casper.

Scott, chairman of the Senate Labor, Health and Social Services Committee, supports requiring new Medicaid enrollees to pay into health savings accounts. He maintains that would make them more responsible about incurring costs.