Thompson: Counties Watching Local Funding, Medicaid Expansion

Laramie County Commissioner Troy Thompson says commissioners across the state are paying close attention to what the legislature does on funding for local governments and Medicaid expansion.

Thompson says commissioners are very concerned that a legislative committee recently removed $25 million in money for local government from the proposed supplemental budget. He says Laramie County has used state money for things like fire trucks, road projects, sewer work and infrastructure projects.

Thompson adds that while Laramie County is "in pretty good shape" financially, other counties that have been hit harder by low energy prices are struggling. Thompson says commissioners are hoping the supplemental budget is amended to put the $25 million back in.

He says another issue that counties across the state are concerned about is a proposal to expand the Medicaid program to cover 17,600 low income Wyoming residents.

Thompson says uncompensated care is costing hospitals across Wyoming millions of dollars. While it's a hardship for larger hospitals like Cheyenne Regional Medical Center, Thompson says it hurts smaller hospitals even more. He says the expansion would be very helpful in reducing those costs.

Thompson says the state Wyoming County Commissioners Association (WCCA) at a statewide meeting last week endorsed both the local government funding and the Medicaid expansion.

He also says if Medicaid expansion is defeated, commissioners hope another proposal by Sen. Ray Peterson (R-Cowley) to provide money to offset uncompensated care costs is approved.

The Senate Appropriations Committee on Thursday voted against Peterson's bill, but it still will be considered by the senate.