Legislative Action Alert:
HB0162 passed second house reading! But, your legislators still really need to hear from you!
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Your emails, calls, and texts letting legislators know how you feel about Medicaid Expansion are working! But lawmakers still need to keep hearing from passionate constituents if HB0162 Medical treatment opportunity act is going to pass.
Yesterday, HB0162 swiftly passed the second reading! The bill will be heard on third reading today and chances are, it won't be that easy. But if it does pass, HB0162 will go on to the Senate!
Scroll down for additional information on HB0162 and other bills up for consideration.
Will you make your voice heard on HB0162 RIGHT NOW
and encourage your community to do the same?
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Want to get involved another way?
Healthy Wyoming will be hosting a digital rally from 6 - 7:30 p.m. TOMORROW Thursday, March 25 to celebrate what's been accomplished so far as a movement and plan the next steps. You'll learn more about what's happening at the Legislature from policy experts and people impacted by the healthcare crisis. Bring your enthusiasm and passion for Wyoming! We hope to see you (virtually) tomorrow night!
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Legislative Watch March 24, 2021
Your legislators need to hear from you now!
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Today, March 24 is the Last day for Third Reading on Bills in house of origin.
It also happens to be National Equal Pay Day. This date symbolizes how far into the year the women, on average, must work to earn what men earned in the previous year. We encourage you to use the information provided below to make your voice heard on issues related to the economic self-sufficiency of women in Wyoming in order to help us close the gender wage gap.
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Please scroll to the bottom of the email for additional legislative engagement resources. |
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SPONSORED BY Representative(s) Yin, Clifford, Duncan and Zwonitzer and Senator(s) Case
AN ACT relating to elections; amending the use of pronouns on the ballot; and providing for an effective date.
WHY IT MATTERS FOR WOMEN & GIRLS This bill changes the language on election ballots from "his name" to "the person's name" increasing representation of women in elected roles.
WHAT CAN YOU DO? REACH OUT TO YOUR REPS!
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SPONSORED BY Representative(s) Harshman, Connolly, MacGuire, Walters, Washut and Zwonitzer and Senator(s) Furphy, Landen and Wasserburger
AN ACT relating to medical education; creating an inviolate health care education endowment fund; providing for investment of monies in the fund; providing for distribution of monies; providing for the use of earnings for the support of certain medical education programs at the University of Wyoming and Wyoming community colleges; authorizing the use of earnings for student support payments and administrative costs.
WHY IT MATTERS FOR WOMEN & GIRLS Women form 70% of workers in the health and social sector nationwide. 3 In Wyoming, many healthcare workers earn self-sufficient wages, making medical education programs an effective path to self-sufficiency for women. This bill would provide support for those programs, which would primarily benefit women.
LATEST ACTION 3/23/2021 House 2nd Reading: Passed!
NEXT FLOOR SESSION TODAY 03/2/42021 at 10:00 AM House Second Reading
WHAT CAN YOU DO? MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!
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SPONSORED BY Representative(s) Harshman, Connolly and Sommers and Senator(s) Rothfuss, Schuler and Wasserburger
AN ACT relating to higher education; creating the Wyoming's tomorrow scholarship program; providing eligibility requirements; providing for administration, including rulemaking authority; creating accounts and a permanent fund; requiring reports; providing for a continuous appropriation; amending a provision governing the Hathaway scholarship reserve account; amending a provision regarding permanent funds of the state; providing for a transfer of funds; providing when scholarships may first be awarded; and providing for an effective date.
WHY IT MATTERS FOR WOMEN & GIRLS Women with children are the most likely population to be living below the Self-Sufficiency Standard and are over-represented in low-wage jobs that do not provide health insurance.4 This bill increases access to postsecondary education, not only leading to wages well above the Self-Sufficiency level, but jobs that also provide benefits, increased stability, and have promotion and salary increase potential.5
WHAT CAN YOU DO? MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!
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SPONSORED BY Representative(s) Bear, Andrew, Barlow, Brown, Burt, Connolly, Duncan, Fortner, Hallinan, Haroldson, Jennings, Knapp, Laursen, Neiman and Ottman and Senator(s) Biteman, French and McKeown
AN ACT relating to human trafficking; prohibiting a minor who engages in any commercial sex act from being criminally charged; specifying that a minor who engages in any commercial sex act is a victim of human trafficking and is an abused child; amending a definition; and providing for an effective date.
WHY IT MATTERS FOR WOMEN & GIRLS
This bill provides the opportunity for victims of sex trafficking, who are overwhelmingly women and girls, to rebuild their lives and attain economic self-sufficiency in the future.
LATEST ACTION 3/23/2021 House 2nd Reading: Passed!
NEXT FLOOR SESSION TODAY 03/24/2021 at 10:00 AM House Third Reading
WHAT CAN YOU DO? MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!
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AN ACT relating to public health; creating the pandemic response review task force; specifying duties of the task force; requiring a report; providing a termination date for the task force; providing appropriations; and providing for an effective date.
WHY IT MATTERS FOR WOMEN & GIRLS
The early economic and mental health impacts of COVID-19 on women have been substantial, according to a survey conducted by The Wyoming Survey & Analysis Center (WYSAC).7 Women make important contributions to Wyoming’s economy. More data (disaggregated by sex) and analysis of the impacts of COVID-19 are needed to ensure an economic recovery that includes all Wyoming citizens and to increase Wyoming’s preparedness for future public health crises.
LATEST ACTION 3/22/2021 House Placed on General File
NEXT FLOOR SESSION TODAY 03/24/2021 at 10:00 AM House General File
WHAT CAN YOU DO? MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!
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AN ACT relating to insurance; mandating equivalent benefits and reimbursement related to mental health and substance use services delivered remotely; specifying applicability; and providing for an effective date.
WHY IT MATTERS FOR WOMEN & GIRLS Data shows that COVID-19 has negatively affected the mental health of women in Wyoming.7 This bill would require insurance companies to cover telehealth (at home) services equally to in-person visits, helping to ensure access to affordable mental health care during the pandemic. Beyond the pandemic, this bill would help keep mental health services more accessible to women without the childcare or transportation necessary to receive in-person mental health care.
NEXT FLOOR SESSION TODAY 03/24/2021 at 10:00 AM House General File
WHAT CAN YOU DO? MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!
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AN ACT relating to administration of the government; providing funding for the Wyoming investment in nursing program from CARES Act funds; providing appropriations; and providing for an effective date.
LATEST ACTION 3/22/2021 House Placed on General File
NEXT FLOOR SESSION TODAY 03/24/2021 at 10:00 AM House General File
WHAT CAN YOU DO? MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!
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Media, O. (2021, January 28). Wyoming School Districts Clap Back At Proposed Education Budget Cuts. Retrieved from https://betterwyo.org/2021/01/28/wyoming-school-districts-clap-back-at-proposed-education-budget-cuts/
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Stat 2 – School District Enrollment and Staffing Data. (2008 to present). Retrieved from https://edu.wyoming.gov/data/statisticalreportseries-2/
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Bonio, M et al. (2019, March). Gender equity in the health workforce: Analysis of 104 countries. Retrieved from https://apps.who.int/iris/bitstream/handle/10665/311314/WHO-HIS-HWF-Gender-WP1-2019.1-eng.pdf
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Pearce, D. M., PhD. (2020, May). The Self-Sufficiency Standard for Wyoming 2020. Retrieved from https://wywf.org/economic-self-sufficiency-standard/
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Simon, J.(2020, February 5). Medicaid expansion is right for Wyoming, women. Retrieved from https://www.jhnewsandguide.com/opinion/columnists/equity_state/medicaid-expansion-is-right-for-wyoming-women/article_c25c3037-5646-509b-ad31-9d473805a8c6.html
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Pearce, D. M., PhD. (2016, May). On the Road: Exploring Economic Security Pathways in Wyoming. Retrieved from https://wywf.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/WY16_ESP-Web_051116.pdf
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Simon, J., & Burlingame, S. (2021, February 02). Women deserve to be EQUALLY recognized in our state statutes. Retrieved from https://trib.com/opinion/columns/simon-women-deserve-to-be-equally-recognized-in-our-state-statutes/article_26cfa7fc-58ed-51f0-a0bf-411bc072dcfb.html
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Wyoming Survey & Analysis Center (2020). The Impacts of COVID-19 on Wyoming Women. Retrieved from https://wywf.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/Women-Covid-Fact-Sheet.pdf
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US Bureau of Labor Statistics (2019). Household Data Annual Averages: Employed persons by detailed occupation, sex, race, and Hispanic or Latino ethnicity. Retrieved from https://www.bls.gov/cps/cpsaat11.pdf
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Additional Bills to Watch |
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LATEST ACTION 3/23/2021 Passed: Senate Committee of the Whole
NEXT FLOOR SESSION TODAY 03/24/2021 at 10:00 AM Senate Second Reading
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LATEST ACTION 3/23/2021 Passed: Senate Committee of the Whole
NEXT FLOOR SESSION TODAY 03/24/2021 at 10:00 AM Senate Second Reading
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LATEST ACTION 3/23/2021 House 2nd Reading: Passed
NEXT FLOOR SESSION TODAY 03/24/2021 10:00 AM House Second Reading
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LATEST ACTION 3/22/2021 House Introduced and Referred to H10 - Labor Committee
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LATEST ACTION 3/23/2021 House Placed on General File
NEXT FLOOR SESSION TODAY 03/24/2021 10:00 AM House General File
LATEST ACTION 3/19/2021 House Placed on General File
NEXT FLOOR SESSION TODAY 03/24/2021 10:00 AM House General File
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LATEST ACTION 3/32/2021 House Placed on General File
NEXT FLOOR SESSION TODAY 03/24/2021 10:00 AM House General File
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LATEST ACTION 3/23/2021 Senate 2nd Reading: Passed
NEXT FLOOR SESSION TODAY 03/24/2021 at 10:00 AM Senate Third Reading
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LATEST ACTION 3/19/2021 H Received for Introduction (Passed Senate)
Click here to read "Bill to prohibit drug-induced abortions advances in Wyoming Legislature"
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Failed Bills Since Last Update |
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SPONSORED BY Select Committee on School Finance Recalibration
AN ACT relating to school finance; implementing recalibration modifications to the Wyoming education resource block grant model; codifying previously uncodified law; providing for additional sales and use taxes in amounts, if any, determined necessary to fulfill constitutional requirements; amending related provisions; repealing conflicting provisions; and providing for an effective date.
WHY IT MATTERS FOR WOMEN & GIRLS
This bill would cut funding to Wyoming education. To date, Wyoming schools and teachers have mostly been able to “protect the classroom” from previous budget reductions without severely impacting student learning. The prospect of an additional $250 million or more in cuts could result in lower quality education, especially in low-income communities, and the elimination of jobs.1 Women hold nearly 73% of the education positions across the state.2 This complex issue will benefit from community engagement, so we encourage you to follow the legislative discussion and weigh in on what aspects of public education are important to you.
LATEST ACTION 3/22/2021 Failed: No report prior to House Committee of the Whole Procedural Deadline (Tabled until a future date)
WHAT CAN YOU DO?
Reach out to the Education Committee to let them know you are concerned about funding K-12 education across the state!
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LATEST ACTION 03/22/2021 Failed: House Did not consider for Committee of the Whole
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LATEST ACTION 03/22/2021 Failed: House Did not consider for Committee of the Whole
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SPONSORED BY Representative(s) Yin, Connolly, Hallinan and Sweeney and Senator(s) Ellis and Schuler
AN ACT relating to welfare; repealing the Medicaid Fairness Act and related provisions; providing for the continuation of actions, rights and obligations as specified.
WHY IT MATTERS FOR WOMEN & GIRLS
A law passed a few years ago aimed to recoup Medicaid birth costs, disproportionately impacting young and low-income mothers. Federal law prohibits the requirement that mothers must name fathers, yet Wyoming does not. This bill repeals the requirement.
LATEST ACTION 03/22/2021 Failed: House Did not consider for Committee of the Whole
WHAT CAN YOU DO NOW?
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SPONSORED BY Representative(s) Henderson, Duncan and Provenza
AN ACT relating to the youthful offender program; clarifying that male and female inmates are eligible for the youthful offender program; and providing for an effective date.
WHY IT MATTERS FOR WOMEN & GIRLS Wyoming state statute still demands that the only acceptable pronoun is the masculine pronoun, obscuring who the law is intended to protect or serve. This bill clarifies that women are eligible to access the youthful offender program. For the past 30 years, numerous women who would have been admitted into the boot camp program and released from prison after six months spent many years longer in prison due solely to their gender.6 This bill provides the opportunity for youthful offenders to rebuild their lives and attain economic self-sufficiency in the future.
LATEST ACTION 3/22/2021 Failed: No report prior to House Committee of the Whole Procedural Deadline
WHAT CAN YOU DO NOW?
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LATEST ACTION 3/22/201 Failed: No report prior to House Committee of the Whole Procedural Deadline (Tabled until a future date)
Click here to read "After lengthy discussion, lawmakers likely to weigh hate crime legislation over the next year"
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SPONSORED BY Senator(s) Rothfuss, Case, Furphy, Gierau, Pappas and Schuler and Representative(s) Brown, Connolly, Harshman, Schwartz, Sweeney, Yin and Zwonitzer
AN ACT relating to Medicaid; providing for expansion of coverage to low income persons as specified; imposing restrictions on continued waiver authorization; repealing a prior Medicaid expansion limitation; and providing for an effective date.
WHY IT MATTERS FOR WOMEN & GIRLS
Women with children are the most likely population to be living below the Self-Sufficiency Standard and are over-represented in low-wage jobs that do not provide health insurance. 4 Data shows that women between the ages of 18 and 29 who work full-time would be nearly three times as likely as their male counterparts to enroll in an expanded Medicaid program. If passed, the population that would become eligible for access to healthcare was estimated to include about 36% younger working women.5
LATEST ACTION 3/22/2021 Failed: Senate Did not consider for Committee of the Whole
WHAT CAN YOU DO NOW?
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How can the public participate in the
2021 General Session?
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Remember, your voice matters! You have the power to influence positive change for women and girls in Wyoming right now. You can shape legislation that benefits those in your community by reaching out to your legislators about the issues you care about.
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Members of the public are encouraged to view legislative proceedings on the Legislature’s YouTube channel. The public may also contact members directly using legislator contact information available on the Legislature’s website here.
During the legislative session, you can also recommend support for or opposition to a particular piece of legislation by using the Online Hotline.
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Would you like more frequent emails about when to make your voice heard in the legislature about women's economic self-sufficiency? Join WYWF's Power Advocates! |
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Wyoming Women in the News |
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Editorial board: It's time to expand Medicaid in Wyoming For a decade, Wyoming’s leaders have been debating whether to expand Medicaid to roughly 24,000 uninsured residents of our state. Multiple attempts have been made, all without success. Given that lengthy discussion, a skeptic might wonder why this year might be any different. But there’s reason for optimism.
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About the Wyoming Women's Foundation
The Wyoming Women’s Foundation is a priority fund of the Wyoming Community Foundation, which granted out over $11 million to nonprofits across the state in 2019, and over $85 million since its inception in 1989. The Women’s Foundation builds on a permanent endowment that will ensure funding to enhance the lives of women and girls in Wyoming for generations to come. It makes grants to organizations that help Wyoming women and girls attain economic self-sufficiency, creates statewide awareness of the barriers to economic self-sufficiency, and supports systems change to eliminate those barriers. Learn more at wywf.org.
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