JOINT LABOR, HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES INTERIM COMMITTEE
Standard Budget: $60,000.00
Priority #: 1 Health Care System Problems
Health care access and affordability continue to be the main health related problem. The Committee will study:
·Primary care, especially for non-Medicaid eligible persons below 100% of poverty level;
·Various models of hospital organization, governance, administration and funding as they affect market, funding and regulatory difficulties;
·Funding problems and regulatory issues related to safety net programs such as qualified health centers, rural health clinics and home and community based providers;
·Methods to encourage medical homes.
Priority #: 2 Response to federal actions/initiatives
The Committee will monitor and respond to federal actions/initiatives, which may include:
·The decision in King v. Burwell regarding availability of tax subsidies in states with a federally operated exchange;
·The effect of the Affordable Care Act on small employer groups and the Wyoming Small Employer Health Reinsurance (WISER) program;
·The Affordable Care Act and the status of the Miner's Hospital as a primary care provider;
·Other federal requirements regarding supervised agencies that need immediate action.
Priority #: 3 Medical Education, Retention and Service Gaps
The state's medical education programs directly impact health care provider availability. The Committee will study status and effectiveness regarding:
· WWAMI;
· The Wyoming Family Practice Residency program, including potential outreach and service to underserved areas;
· Nursing education incentive programs, including possible adoption of the Interstate Nurse Licensure Compact.
Priority #: 4 Review of Reports
The Committee currently receives numerous reports from the departments of Health, Workforce Services and Family Services. The Committee will respond as necessary to issues raised by the reports. In particular, the Committee will review a report regarding the worker's compensation experience modification rate and the Governor's report on homelessness in Wyoming.
Priority #: 5 Workforce Safety
Study workforce safety programs and enforcement, including the use of compliance assistance grants.
Tentative Meeting Schedule
June 8-9 Casper
Aug 24-25 Lovell/Basin
Oct 19-20 Buffalo
Jan 7-8 Cheyenne