Wyoming governor promises Medicaid expansion ‘fair hearing’

CHEYENNE, Wyo. (AP) – Wyoming’s governor has reservations about expanding Medicaid in the state but promises to give any such bill passed by the Legislature a “fair hearing.”

The Legislature’s Joint Revenue Committee recently approved a bill that would allow the governor to expand Medicaid to include people below 138% of the federal poverty line.

All states surrounding Wyoming except South Dakota have expanded Medicaid enrollment under the Affordable Care Act but Gov. Mark Gordon worries costs could exceed estimates.

The Wyoming Department of Health estimates Medicaid expansion would provide health care coverage to an additional 19,000 Wyomingites.