Bill 42: Regulation of Surgical Abortion continues to need WMS member input. 84% of the required minimum participation threshold has been achieved toward WMS taking a public position on this bill. VOTE HERE

BILL STATUS

Passed Third Reading in the House

House Bill 159: Protecting water from chemical abortion waste

continues to need WMS member input. 77% of the required minimum participation threshold hohhas been achieved toward WMS taking a public position on this bill. VOTE HERE

BILL STATUS

Scheduled for debate on General File

House Bill 222: Medical Ethics Defense Act continues to need WMS input. 66% of the required minimum participation threshold has been achieved toward WMS taking a public position on this bill. VOTE HERE

BILL STATUS

Passed House Health/Labor Committee

SF155: International Physician Licensing continues to need WMS input. 49% of the required minimum participation threshold has been achieved toward WMS taking a public position on this bill. VOTE HERE

BILL STATUS

Passed Senate Health/Labor Committee

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The WMS Board of Trustees voted to significantly increase the role of members across the state in determining the association's advocacy positions and efforts. WMS will preserve precious and finite political capital and resources by reserving public advocacy efforts, including public testimony, to those issues that gain 25% of WMS member engagement on THE WIRE.

For all other bills being tracked by WMS, our advocacy team will represent the Board's Advisory Position in individual conversations and interactions as we work to educate and advise lawmakers on important health policy decisions impacting WY.

Instructions on how to login and use the WIRE are detailed lower in this email. Please remember that all members in good standing with WMS are invited to post their own proposal for member voting and comment on The WIRE. Members are also welcome to contact a member of the WMS staff for assistance in utilizing The WIRE.

2025 WMS Bill Tracker

House Committees

House Bill 250: Defining life and the rights of natural persons (Carried Over)

House Bill 120: Administrative procedure-jury trial for penalties (Carried Over)

Senate Committee 12:00 PM

Senate File 125: Defining health care and protecting the people's welfare (Passed as amended)

Action on the Floor

Today was budget day in both the House and Senate where both chambers spent the majority of the day on second reading. It was a long day with debate running well into the evening.

OB/Gyn Medicaid Reimbursement Increases Get Debated

Representative Lloyd Larsen did his best to restore funding requests for the state Department of Health that were recommended by the Governor, and later cut by the new appropriations committee, to increase Medicaid reimbursement to OB/Gyn providers by $2.4 million. That amendment unfortunately failed. Representative Larsen also attempted to increase Department of Health funding by $18 million to provide grants to hospitals to support delivery and maternity care, which also, sadly, failed. These battles for medicine are tough fights these days and any bit of appreciation helps as our legislators fight our fights. If anyone feels inspired, a thank you email to Rep. Larsen would be wonderful.

While the House failed to take action in addressing Wyoming's maternal health desert crisis through their budget lever, the Senate voted to step up. The same amendment to increase funding for maternity care reimbursement passed the Senate with an overwhelming number of Senators stepping to the mic to support the state's physicians. $2.4 million was added to the budget ($1.2 million in General Fund with $1.2 million in matching Federal Funds). WMS owes a great deal of gratitude to the following Senators if you feel compelled to send a quick thank you!

• Senator Ogden Driskill
• Senator Mike Gierau
• Senator Dan Laursen
• Senator Tim Salazar, and
• Senator Darrin Smith

988 Suicide Hotline System Hotline

Representative Cody Wylie attempted to fund the 988 Suicide Hotline Trust Fund to ensure the state's ability to fund the hotline in future years. He ran an amendment to the supplemental budget to fund the 988 system trust fund with a $20 million dollar investment. This amendment failed unfortunately but it would be wonderful for WMS members to send Rep. Wylie a thank you note for trying.

2025 WMS Bill Tracker

The House and Senate worked late into the evening Wednesday and hadn't yet published the floor calendar before WMS sent this update. There are no bills being tracked or monitored by WMS scheduled for committee hearings tomorrow.

Friday is the last day for legislation to be off of General File in its originating chamber so the days will be long the rest of this week as legislators work to accomplish as much as possible before this first significant deadline hits.

We get it. Not everyone wants blow-by-blow accounts of the legislative activity in Cheyenne. If this is you, we understand. Please don't unsubscribe from our mailing, but instead, let us know below by clicking the "thumbs down". We will assume that you are okay with receiving our less frequent and general membership updates but would like to be removed from the daily update list. We will do our best to get you removed so we don't clutter your inbox with information you don't want.

WMS still needs Doc/PA of the Day volunteers!

The Wyoming Medical Society needs volunteers daily for the duration of the legislative session. Doc/PA of the Day volunteers have the opportunity to meet with state legislators, are introduced on the floor of the House and Senate Chambers, and help ensure legislators see that Wyoming physicians and PAs care!

You must be a WMS member to serve as Doc/PA of the Day. Please consider making time to volunteer this year!

To schedule your volunteer date email whitney@wyomed.org.

To cast your vote on WIRE proposals, CLICK HERE (or the link in the button below) to access THE WIRE. Members can also access THE WIRE from the WMS website at www.wyomed.org

How to use The Wire:

• Log on - https://thewire.wyomed.org/
• The Wire uses the same username and password as you use to login to the WMS website to manage your membership. If you have forgotten your username or password, you can use the forget password feature on The Wire to reset it.
• To view proposals - select "Proposal Feedback" at the top of the screen
• Click on "Pre-Board Feedback"
• Click on the title link to vote/share your opinion on a topic

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The WIRE