Committee To Hear Bill On Medicaid Expansion

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) — A Wyoming legislative committee is set to consider a bill to approve expansion of the federal Medicaid program.

The Senate Labor Health and Social Services Committee is set to consider a bill Wednesday that would add nearly 30,000 people to the Medicaid rolls in the state.

Sen. John Hastert, a Democrat from Green River, is sponsoring the expansion bill. He says expanding coverage is the right thing for the state to do and could save the state health department millions by cutting reliance on other state programs.

The Wyoming Hospital Association and several other health groups support the move.

However, Gov. Matt Mead and several prominent lawmakers have said they oppose expanding the program. They say they don't trust federal promises to continue picking up the bulk of program costs.