Lawmakers Vote in Favor of Special Session

Riverton, WY – There will be a Special Session of the Wyoming Legislature starting July 12th. Lawmakers have voted overwhelmingly in favor of the Special Session to address rising medical malpractice insurance rates and the resulting numbers of doctors leaving the state. The vote was 18-10 among Senators and 48-6 in the House. Senate President April Brimmer-Kunz says she hopes lawmakers will use the Special Session to begin to resolve the matter. She doesn't want to create expectations that they can completely solve the problem in just a week. Speaker of the House Fred Parady says a package of bills will be considered, not just a constitutional amendment to cap damages that can be awarded in medical malpractice lawsuits. This marks the first time the Legislature has ever called itself into Special Session, something only possible since 2002.