Appropriations Committee Looks at Bills Before Special Session

Laramie, Wy – One of the committees screening bills before the state legislature's special session this July is meeting Tuesday. The co chairman of the Joint Appropriations Committee, Senator John Schiffer, says they will consider several different plans including some to subsidize doctors. He says this is needed because the high price of medical malpractice insurance is driving some doctors away and keeping others from coming to Wyoming. He says there are various ideas floating around that could bring the price of insurance down or subsidize doctors. One plan they are considering is cutting a check for every doctor for $35,000 whether they need it or not. Other plans include getting the price of medical malpractice insurance down to the rate of surrounding states.
Schiffer says whenever the government considers subsidies it must be careful.
The Joint Appropriations Committee will also look at reforming medical insurance and getting more Wyomingites into med school.