Wyoming Health Department Official Expects Deficit to Grow

CASPER, Wyo. (AP) — Wyoming Department of Health Director Tom Forslund asked lawmakers for help in addressing the $32 million budget deficit that's only expected to grow.

In the department's presentation to the Joint Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, Forslund told lawmakers that this is the first time he hasn't been able to deliver a budget in the authorized time period.

State budget documents show that at least $28 million of the shortfall was tied to Wyoming's aging population and the increasing cost of long-term care facilities.

Forslund says that long-term care currently costs about $130 million a year, and it could more than double by 2030.

Forslund has requested an additional $49 million for the next cycle that starts in mid-2018 with about $25 million directed for the aging population.