House finishes Medicaid reform bill

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The Wyoming House of Representatives has finished its version of a massive Medicaid reform bill. 

The bill will create two tiers in the current Development Disability waiver program.  That means that people who need fewer services will not be allocated more funding then they need. 

House Labor and Health Committee Chairwoman Elaine Harvey says that change will allow more people to benefit from the program.   She says they also have made reforms to long-term care that should better help Wyoming residents. 

Harvey says they’ve done a lot of work, but it’s hard to gauge what they’ve done.

“You know I think we are on the road.  I don’t think this is final destination bill.  Until we explore it, until we look at it, until we get those wavier changes, we really don’t know.”

Senate Health Chairman Charles Scott has estimated that the reforms could save the state millions of dollars and improve the overall program. 

Harvey says that remains to be seen.