Support for Medicaid Expansion

The undersigned members of Wyoming’s business community ask the 66th Wyoming Legislature to pass a bill to expand the state’s Medicaid program during the 2022 budget session for the following reasons:

Lower Healthcare Costs:  The Wyoming Hospital Association reports that its members lose at least $100 million annually in uncompensated care costs.  These costs result when uninsured people receive medical treatment for which they cannot pay.  Hospitals pass these costs to consumers.  The impact ripples through Wyoming’s economy, driving up the price of healthcare and insurance premiums.  A 2021 Wyoming Department of Health study estimates that Medicaid expansion would lower Marketplace insurance premiums in Wyoming by 10%.  Private plan costs would also decrease.

Spur Healthcare Industry and Local Economies:  The Wyoming Department of Health estimates that Medicaid expansion would inject $75 million in federal funds into our state’s economy each year.  This would have a multiplier effect in local economies and generate local and state tax revenues.  Neighboring states have experienced significant economic and job growth in their healthcare sectors, as well as other industries, thanks to Medicaid expansion.  Wyoming would as well.

Healthy Workforce:  A Families USA study estimates 19,000 current Wyoming workers would qualify for coverage under expanded Medicaid.  These include small business owners who cannot afford employer-based insurance for their staff, or often, themselves.  As employers, we know that as the health conditions of our workers improve, our businesses benefit.  Healthy employees lose fewer days to illness and are more productive. 

Eliminate Tax Penalties:  Wyoming businesses with 50 or more employees pay a federal tax penalty of $3,000 a year for every employee who acquires insurance through the federal Healthcare Marketplace because their employer-based insurance plan is not affordable.  A Jackson-Hewitt study estimates that Medicaid expansion would eliminate between $2.7 - $4.1 million in tax penalties annually for Wyoming businesses.

Decrease Debt and Welfare:  Expanding Medicaid would result in fewer people accumulating medical debt, which drives down consumer spending and stifles personal economic growth.  Many costs for welfare programs that the state of Wyoming currently pays would be covered by Medicaid funds.

As local business owners, we ask you to please pass Medicaid expansion in 2022.

Ian Edmiston, Megan Corcoran, Howard Samelson, Thomas Butler,

Ellen Reed, Sarah Ferrell, Forrest Coleman-Weisz, Michael S. Messenger