Wyoming Legislature discusses expanding health insurance to non-state employers
CASPER – Wyoming could save money if it expands the state employee health plan to local governments and private sector employers because a larger insurance pool would give the state more heft when negotiating with doctors, hospitals and clinics, a new report states.
However, the Wyoming Department of Health study also said the plan could cost the state more, under the scenario that sicker people would buy into the state’s generous health plan.
In March, the Legislature adopted a budget with a footnote requiring the Wyoming Health Department study the possibility of adding people to the plan who are not state employees. The Legislature in a different footnote asked the Health Department to study adding state employees’ medical insurance claims to a database that looks for cost savings and improvements in health care. The Health Department presented its findings to the Joint Appropriations Committee on Monday in Casper.
The overall goal of the two footnotes is to explore ways for the state, employers and individuals to save on health care, which is among the most expensive in the country.
Read more: http://www.wyomingnews.com/news/wyoming-legislature-discusses-expanding-health-insurance-to-non-state-employers/article_c842f20e-9d96-11e6-8442-6701a53e1e05.html