Medicaid Expansion Report Puts Wyo Revenue at Issue

The Wyoming Department of Health released their final report on Medicaid expansion in Wyoming. The Revenue Committee wants law makers to consider expanding Medicaid in the state. But the money that would come from the federal government is not just "free money" being handed out - it comes with a cost.

The Department of Health estimates that Medicaid expansion will cost the state at least $18 million in the first biennium and as much as $30 million in years after.

This would be a huge state financial burden, controlled by the federal government at a high cost to taxpayers. One looming question would be, where does the state get the money to cover its end? And where does the state get the money as its obligation grows?

Nation-wide, small businesses have opposed Medicaid expansion. There are 300,000 business members nationwide and 2,500 just in the state of Wyoming.

Federal reimbursement constantly being cut-back could end in the near future, leaving state taxpayers with an ever growing bill.

The federal match could be as low as the usual 50%”. The state of Wyoming can’t even come up with the 10% needed in 2020.

It is projected that 32,000 people could be enrolled in the first 24 months. But expansion in other states show enrollment always far exceeds original projections.

Small businesses have expressed concern over the lower Medicaid billing rates that will flood their business, increase waits for care times, and change the very way they do business and the amount of money they can make.

To read the fill report visit the Wyoming Liberty Group website.