Healthcare (Medicaid)

HB 169 bars Wyoming state agencies and political subdivisions from using public funds to pay membership fees, dues, or related expenses for four specific organizations: the Environmental Council of the States, Council of Chief State School Officers, National Association of Medicaid Directors, and Association of State and Territorial Health Officials. The law prohibits payments for membership benefits (excluding goods/services), travel, conference fees, or event costs tied to these groups. It applies to all state funds appropriated by the legislature or received by agencies, effective July 1, 2026. This policy change directly affects state agency budgets and spending decisions related to these designated organizations.

SF 106 amends Wyoming's welfare and Medicaid eligibility rules to strengthen verification processes. It requires monthly checks of residency and death records, bans self-attestation for income, citizenship, and household composition without verification, and limits retroactive Medicaid coverage to two months. The bill directly affects welfare applicants and recipients, including both citizens and noncitizens, by tightening eligibility requirements. Key provisions include shorter recertification periods for unstable households (up to 4 months) and mandatory reporting to the legislature on program impacts. These changes aim to prevent program misuse while aligning with federal requirements.

This bill updates Wyoming's Medicaid eligibility rules by codifying current state criteria into law. It directly affects individuals applying for Wyoming Medicaid, requiring applicants to be U.S. citizens or lawfully present, Wyoming residents, and meet one of several specific criteria (such as disability, supplemental security income eligibility, hospice care, or tuberculosis infection). The bill prevents Medicaid expansion beyond current eligibility levels as of July 1, 2026, without legislative approval. The Department of Health must finalize implementing rules by October 1, 2026, and the new rules apply to applications submitted or renewed on or after July 1, 2027.