House begins debate on Medicaid overhaul

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A massive bill that attempts to reform Wyoming’s current Medicaid program was given initial approval in the State House of Representatives.  One of the goals of the bill is to establish caps on how much is spent in the developmental disability program.  What lawmakers want to do is limit spending to what’s really necessary for clients in the program.  Evansville Republican Kendall Kroeker says his son receives services from the program and only requires a minimal amount of money, so he supports the new limits.

“My understanding from the way the program works effectively he is allocated the same slot as somebody who may need 50 or 60 thousand dollars’ worth of care on the program.  So I think it’s a fantastic idea to be able to find families like mine and say hey let’s get them the little help they need but let’s limit their help to that little bit,” says Kroeker.

Sponsors say that if they can cap some of the spending, then more people can receive services from the program.  The bill will be debated two more times.