Crafting policy can be a tedious business. This week's activities have everyone looking forward to the weekend for a chance to get a little rest and reset before things take off again next week.

The past five days saw debate on 17 of the 50 bills on the WMS bill tracker. Below are some key takeaways and highlights from this week's action.

For a comprehensive look at all of the bills on the WMS radar, check out our WMS Legislative Bill Tracker. This document is updated frequently and shows bill titles, brief descriptions, links to the full text, bill status and the WMS position.

As always, WMS members are invited to review the bills as well as the organization position and talk with their county trustee or a member of WMS leadership if you believe WMS should reconsider bills or positions.

HB39 - Optometrist practice act amendments. A bill that expands the scope of practice for optometrists to scalpel and laser procedures as well as increased prescriptive authority. PASSED THE HOUSE WMS NEUTRAL AS AMENDED

HB83 - Health care cost control. A bill aimed at reducing the cost burden on cash-paying patients by requiring health care providers to charge uninsured patients the same rate as their lowest negotiated private payer rate. LAID BACK INDEFINITELY WMS OPPOSED

HB109 - Local health officers education requirements. Changes current statuary language requiring that local health officers be physicians to allow for advanced practice registered nurses and physician assistants to serve as county and local health officers. PASSED COMMITTEE 5-3 AMENDED WMS OPPOSED

SF33 - Physician assistant amendments. Removes physician supervision requirements from PAs licensed to practice in Wyoming. Maintains their licensure under the state Board of Medicine within a majority PA advisory council. PASSED THE SENATE WMS NEUTRAL

SF47 - Clinical laboratory regulation-direct to consumer exception. Amends W.S. 33-34-107 to allow for clinical laboratories to make exceptions to analyze human specimens and tests that are a product of a direct-to-consumer diagnostic device. PASSED COMMITTEE 5-0 and SECOND READING IN THE SENATE WMS MONITOR

SF74 - Athletic trainer revisions. Expands athletic trainer scope of practice and authorizes them to participate in Telehealth services. PASSED COMMITTEE 5-0 WMS MONITOR

SF80 - Public health orders-local and legislative oversight. Requires the state health officer to open a public comment period and provide 48 hour notice prior to implementing any health orders. Allows counties to object to and opt out of any public health order by submitting in writing the opt-out interest signed by a majority of county commissioners from any given county. Limits all public health orders to no more than 30 days unless ratified by individual chambers of the WY legislature. PASSED COMMITTEE 3-2 WMS OPPOSE

SF104- Anesthesiology Assistants. A bill allowing Wyoming to recognize anesthesiology assistants as a licensed health care provider working under the direct supervision of a Wyoming licensed anesthesiologist. PASSED COMMITTEE 4-1 WMS MONITOR

As was reported in an early February membership update, WMS leadership committed to a strategic advocacy pivot beginning in late 2019 refocusing resources and efforts toward patient empowerment through education and healthcare provider transparency. Due to this pivot, WMS hasn't provided the traditional testimony we might have in years past on scope of practice bills this session. Instead, we dedicated our committee time with policymakers to discussing patient safety in relation to the value of collaborative healthcare teams and the importance of transparency across the healthcare spectrum for patients as they navigate the complicated healthcare delivery system.

These decisions to pivot didn't come easy for the WMS leadership. We recognize and appreciate that we have members with strong opinions and feelings on both sides of the optometry scope expansion and PA Optimal Team Practice (OTP) proposals. Striving for consensus among nearly 1,000 Wyoming physicians and PAs, or making each of those individuals happy at each turn is likely unrealistic.

WMS provides education and resources to legislators and regulators throughout the year and works to positively influence policy changes to reflect the perspectives and concerns of physicians and PAs each legislative session. The issues of concern to our organization span a wide range of issues from liability and business to public health. Our pivot to protect patients through transparency requirements rather than doubling down on fights about provider scope was necessary to protect the organization's ability to continue our advocacy efforts and respected role within the process.

We are all stronger together and agree on far more than we disagree. Wyoming patients win when the full spectrum of healthcare works together for their health and safety. Thank you for allowing WMS the opportunity to magnify your voice in our collective efforts each year!

The Legislative Services Office maintains a user-friendly website that provides details on committee schedules, bill status and more.

Use wyoleg.gov to learn more about this year's legislative process. Below are quick links to important information.

Daily Calendars including floor calendars, audio streams, and committee schedules

Bill Listing that includes all legislative proposals posted for the 2021 Session

As always, Executive Director Sheila Bush welcomes and invites any and all communication. If you have questions about the status of a bill, want to provide feedback or input on legislation, or want to share your thoughts on any other aspect of the WMS advocacy work, please email her at sheila@wyomed.org or call her cell phone at 307-630-8602.