FIFTY-SEVENTH WYOMING LEGISLATURE

APPROVED INTERIM COMMITTEE STUDIES

2004 INTERIM

JOINT LABOR, HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES INTERIM COMMITTEE

Initial Approved Budget: $30,000

Topic #1:            Health Care Issues.

The committee continues to hear testimony and comment about cost, accessibility and reimbursement problems in all government-related health programs.  The committee will study the following subjects under this topic:

(a)      Medicaid  Coverage and reimbursement rates for child and adult dental care; cost shifting caused by reimbursement rates below providers' cost of delivery; coverage gap for Social Security Disability recipients; accuracy of the department's future needs model.

(b)      Public Health  Immunization rates; suicide prevention; environmental health; emergency medical services/trauma care.

(c)      Long-term Care/Patient Care  Role of senior centers;  Alzheimer's early-stage care; workplace conditions; effect of Medicare drug benefit on the Prescription Drug Assistance Program; possible long-term care at state institutions.

Topic #2:            Worker's Compensation.

The fund is statutorily required to be fully reserved by 2008.  The Director of the Department of Employment has informed the committee that a new actuarial review, combined with medical inflation and reduced investment income, indicate that the 2008 target will not be met.  The committee will study possible legislative responses.

Note: As part of this study, Management Council directed that the committee review the department's claims process including recommendations in the Management Audit Committee study on worker's compensation.

Topic #3:            Children and Families Initiative.

The legislature enacted HB33, which directs the Department of Family Services to contract for a broad study of current services and a needs assessment for programs that support children and families.  The results of the study are to be reported to the LHSS committee, preliminarily on November 1, 2004, and in final on October 1, 2005.  The committee will consider the preliminary report and possible legislation for 2005 general session.

Topic #4:            Education Study.

The committee has been asked by the Wyoming Department of Education to conduct a study with the following elements:

(a)      Billing of Medicaid for services now provided in the public schools, especially for special education and court ordered placements;

(b)      Cost problems for health and liability insurance in the public schools and community colleges. [Note: This topic was reassigned to the Joint Corporations Interim Committee by the Management Council.]

Topic #5:            Child Support Guidelines.

Note: This topic was reassigned to the Joint Judiciary Interim Committee by the Management Council.