HB0161

Directs a study of market-based health insurance strategies in Wyoming and appropriates $250,000 for its completion.

• Establishes legislative findings that Wyoming's small population, geographic dispersion, and limited risk pooling contribute to high health insurance costs, particularly affecting small business owners, sole proprietors, independent contractors, agricultural producers, early retirees, seasonal workers, and rural residents. (Sec. 1(b))
• Directs the Department of Health, Department of Insurance, and Department of Administration and Information to jointly conduct an advisory study of health insurance markets in Wyoming that does not authorize program implementation. (Sec. 1(c))
• Requires the study to examine the feasibility of allowing non-state employees to access the state employees' and officials' group insurance plan, provided they pay full actuarial costs and administrative expenses without increasing costs or risks for state employees or taxpayers. (Sec. 1(d)(i))
• Requires the study to examine the feasibility of creating a state-level reinsurance program to mitigate premium volatility in individual or small group insurance markets without imposing mandates, creating subsidies, or expanding Medicaid. (Sec. 1(d)(ii))
• Requires the study to examine strategies used by other low-population states that have implemented or studied market-based health insurance risk pooling or reinsurance mechanisms. (Sec. 1(d)(iii))
• Specifies that the study and any resulting actions shall not expand Medicaid, create taxpayer-funded health insurance subsidies, mandate participation in health insurance pools, or implement any program without further legislative authorization. (Sec. 1(e))
• Requires the three departments to report their study findings to the Joint Labor, Health and Social Services Interim Committee no later than October 15, 2026. (Sec. 1(f))
• Appropriates $250,000 from the general fund to the Department of Administration and Information to conduct the study from the effective date through June 30, 2028, with the requirement that unexpended funds revert and the appropriation not be included in the department's standard budget for the succeeding fiscal biennium.