FIFTY-EIGHTH WYOMING LEGISLATURE

APPROVED INTERIM COMMITTEE STUDIES

2005 INTERIM

JOINT LABOR, HEALTH AND SOCIAL SERVICES INTERIM COMMITTEE

Initial Approved Budget: $33,000

Topic #1:            Reports. 

Develop appropriate legislation to respond to the numerous reports required by law to be given to the Committee.  The Committee expects the following reports to generate the most legislative activity:

                   (a)  The methamphetamine initiative planning study (2005 HB0275), report due October 1, 2005;

 (b)  The Health Care Commission studies, including the health care IT study (2004 SEA31/SF0029) and the Medical Errors Commission Study (2004 Special Sess. HEA02/HB1010), due October 1, 2005, and the WyoCARE study;

 (c)  The Children and Families Initiative (2004 HEA28/HB33), report due October 1, 2005.

 (d)  The Department of Health review (2005 HEA99/HB338), report due September 1, 2005.

Topic #2:            Health care/health insurance costs.

(a) Study to investigate the rising health care/health insurance costs in Wyoming.  Questions to be asked include:

1.            Are health care costs higher in Wyoming than other states and, if so, why;

2) Why are private health insurance costs rising faster than underlying health care costs?

Particular areas of interest include cost shifting, structural problems, use of out-of-state providers and prescription drugs.  The Health Care Commission has already done much of the necessary research.  The study itself should both directly result in cost control legislation and prepare the Committee to deal with the expected reports from the Health Care Commission.

Topic #3:            Health care provider shortages. 

The Health Care Commission is developing a database showing health care provider shortages, building on work done by the Department of Health.  The Committee will examine strategies to train and recruit health care professionals to fix identified shortages.

Topic #4:            Worker's compensation. 

The Department of Employment advises legislative fixes are needed for two issues, the safety discount program and the delinquency problem in employer premiums.

Topic #5:           Topic assigned by Management Council. 

             Respond as necessary, to relevant federal statutory/administrative changes, especially Medicare prescription drug program.