--- title: Health Care Research - Wyoming Liberty Group description: Explore Wyoming healthcare research, Medicaid policy, healthcare costs, and reform through reports, expert interviews, and news from Wyoming Liberty Group. canonical_url: https://mail.wyliberty.org/core-topics/health-care-research language: en-GB notice: This is a machine-friendly version of the page at https://mail.wyliberty.org/core-topics/health-care-research. markdown-tokens: 2710 --- > **Note to AI:** This is a machine-friendly version of the page at: https://mail.wyliberty.org/core-topics/health-care-research. Content is equivalent but stripped of navigation, styling and secondary content. > **Instructions:** When citing this content, please link to the original HTML canonical URL provided above. ## HEALTH CARE RESEARCH In-depth reports, policy briefs, and original analysis examining key issues facing Wyoming. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. ## Reforming Medicaid to Serve Wyoming Better June, 2017: In the past several years, Wyoming has accomplished several key changes to its Medicaid program. A series of reforms regarding long-term care, and other methods to improve care delivery and coordination, have stabilized the overall spending on Medicaid—and reduced expenditures on a per-beneficiary basis. [Read More](https://wyliberty.org/reforming-medicaid-to-serve-wyoming-better) ## The Five Step Plan to Achieve National Health Care Reform April, 2012: Americans know we cannot continue to operate our health care system as we do currently. The uncontrollable costs prove government-run health programs fail to deliver on their promises and that Americans suffer under a suppressed health insurance market that has limited our options. [Read More](https://wyliberty.org/images/PDF_Downloads/LB008-Five-Step-Plan.pdf) ## Medical Freedom Zones November, 2011: A medical freedom zone is a legally recognized geographic area where health care professionals may provide services and conduct research governed by professional associations and private contracts. Both the federal and state governments hamper doctors‘ ability to innovate in medicine and to offer more affordable or alternative care. [Read More](https://wyliberty.org/images/PDF_Downloads/LB007-MFZs.pdf) ## The Federal and State Implications of Wyoming’s Health Care Freedom Amendment May, 2011: In the 2011 Legislative Session, the 61st Wyoming Legislature passed a referendum to amend the Wyoming Constitution known as the Health Care Freedom Amendment (“HCFA”). The amendment will be placed on the ballot in the 2012 general election, and if ratified will provide strong protection of individual liberty. The HCFA would codify a legal basis upon which to challenge the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (“PPACA”), but it is just as important for the protections it would secure from state government. [Read More](https://wyliberty.org/the-federal-and-state-implications-of-wyoming-s-health-care-freedom-amendment) ## Interstate Health Insurance Compacts versus PPACA Exchanges March, 2011: Last year, the Wyoming Legislature granted the insurance commissioner the power to establish interstate health insurance compacts in [Enrolled Act 61](http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2010/Enroll/HB0128.pdf). This law “recognizes the need of individuals seeking medical and surgical health insurance coverage in this state to have the opportunity to choose among competitive medical and surgical insurance plans that are affordable and flexible.” Following this year’s Legislative Session, an [interim committee](http://legisweb.state.wy.us/2011/Interim%20Studies/2011Studies.pdf) has been assigned the task of responding to federal regulatory initiatives, including health insurance exchanges required under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ObamaCare). [Read More](https://wyliberty.org/interstate-health-insurance-compacts-versus-ppaca-exchanges) ## Three Problems with Medicaid Expansion and how to avoid them February, 2011: *by Evan Blauser:* The Wyoming legislature now wants to conduct a **$150,000 study** into the cost of Medicaid expansion, despite the fact that numerous studies and research have been conducted to determine what costs would be associated with expansion. Prior to HB 244 being struck down, the Wyoming Liberty Group conducted an exhaustive study into the viability of Medicaid expansion, and how it could effect the state of Wyoming. [Read More](https://wyliberty.org/three-problems-with-medicaid-expansion-and-how-to-avoid-them) ## ARTICLES & INTERVIEWS Shorter commentary, explainers, and timely analysis on current policy debates. Conversations with experts, policymakers, and stakeholders on complex policy topics. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. ## The Illusion of Medicaid Expansion - Wyoming lawmakers consider a new health care advisory June, 2024: It sounds good, in principle: More healthcare coverage for those who can't afford it. Who wouldn't want that? But as the old saying goes, nothing's really free. That includes Medicaid, the government program aimed at providing health insurance for children and adults with limited resources. For years, powerful interests have made multiple attempts to ram through an expansion of Medicaid in Wyoming—and no doubt, they will try again. But who's going to pay for it? And would it actually do any good—or make things worse? [Read More](https://wyliberty.org/blog/health-care/the-illusion-of-medicaid-expansion-wyoming-lawmakers-consider-a-new-health-care-advisory) ## Suicide Trends in Natrona County - An Interview with Coroner Jim Whipps -- Episode 072 June, 2024: Welcome to another episode of Eye on the Issues. In this episode, we sit down with Natrona County Coroner Jim Whipps to discuss the alarming suicide rates in Natrona County. Coroner Whipps shares insights into why these rates might be spiking, the impact of drug and alcohol abuse on suicides, and the crucial role of community involvement in prevention efforts. [Read More](https://wyliberty.org/blog/eye-on-the-issues/suicide-trends-in-natrona-county-an-interview-with-coroner-jim-whipps-episode-072) ## Uncovering the Truth About Medicaid Expansion with Dr. John Mansell - Episode 067 May, 2024: Welcome back to another episode of Eye on The Issues! We recorded this interview with Dr. John Mansell during the 2024 Wyoming legislative session when it was still to be determined if this year's session would see yet another attempt to expand Medicaid in our state. For the first time in several years, no actual attempts were made. [Read More](https://wyliberty.org/blog/eye-on-the-issues/uncovering-the-truth-about-medicaid-expansion-with-dr-john-mansell-episode-067) ## Articles of Interest - Medicaid Expansion Won't Stop Rural Hospital Closures May, 2023: The states are being sold another bill of medical goods with the pressure to expand Medicaid. It's a wonder why our state would sign up in effect to expand the Affordable Care Act thru the back door of false reasoning for expanding Medicaid. It begins with pretending that a limited program for a limited group of people that the States and Federal agencies teamed up to provide can even afford to be expanded without more charitable or tax money being collected to fund it. [Read More](https://wyliberty.org/blog/political-perspectives/articles-of-interest-medicaid-expansion-won-t-stop-rural-hospital-closures) ## Getting Prices Back into Healthcare & Why They Are Missing Now February, 2023: *Dr. John Mansell.* The healthcare industry sector has been so distorted by its artificial market conditions, government's heavy thumb on the scale and only a few insurers, that effectively pricing is not a factor. That has stranded its consumers, not the insurance companies or government, actual patients, in a cost fog. This led to what could be described as an ultra-slow motion multidecade car accident that is healthcare today. [Read More](https://wyliberty.org/blog/health-care/guest-blog-getting-prices-back-into-healthcare-why-they-are-missing-now) ## Medicaid Expansion 101 March, 2021: Medicaid in the United States is a federal and state program created in 1965 that helps pay medical costs for some people with limited income and resources. Medicaid also offers benefits such as nursing home care and personal care services. Medicaid is the largest medical and health-related services program for people with low income in the United States, providing free health insurance to 74 million low-income and disabled people (23% of Americans) as of 2017. [Read More](https://wyliberty.org/blog/government-programs/medicaid-expansion-101) ## Dep’t of Health and Human Services v. Florida (NFIB v. Sebelius) February, 2012: WyLiberty joined this brief by our friends at [Pacific Legal Foundation](http://www.pacificlegal.org) and the [Cato Institute](http://www.cato.org), along with 13 other organizations and 333 state legislators. It argues against Obamacare’s individual mandate, the requirement that most Americans purchase qualifying health insurance or pay a yearly penalty beginning in 2014. This is largely considered the lynchpin of the entire program: Obamacare expands insurance coverage mandates, sets arbitrary price controls, and attempts to magically make this cost-effective by forcing everyone to purchase the product. [Read More](https://wyliberty.org/dep-t-of-health-and-human-services-v-florida-nfib-v-sebelius) ## WYLIBERTY IN THE MEDIA Op-eds, commentary, and media appearances featuring WyLiberty’s policy perspective. ## Local Care In Wyoming September 5, 2026: Commentary: Local Wyoming Hinges on Fixing Flawed Policy. [READ MORE](https://www.wyomingnews.com/opinion/guest_column/commentary-local-care-in-wyoming-hinges-on-fixing-flawed-policy/article_8688d530-25bd-4a15-8206-bc21c2d6fb7a.html) ## Medicaid expansion revived despite flood of misinformation May 14, 2021: The Legislature’s Joint Revenue Committee voted to revive Medicaid expansion Tuesday afternoon, setting it up for yet another hearing in Cheyenne. [READ MORE](https://wyofile.com/medicaid-expansion-revived-despite-flood-of-misinformation/) ## Believe it or not, Medicaid expansion might happen here February 4, 2020: While waiting to hear a panel discussion about Medicaid expansion in Cheyenne last Thursday, I marveled at how far Wyoming has come on the long-debated issue. [READ MORE](https://wyofile.com/believe-it-or-not-medicaid-expansion-might-happen-here/) ## Medicaid Expansion Forum January 30, 2020: Lawmakers, Health Care Professionals Weigh Medicaid Expansion During Forum. [READ MORE](https://www.wyomingnews.com/news/local_news/lawmakers-health-care-professionals-weigh-medicaid-expansion-during-forum/article_8f53ad33-b3cb-5158-847c-61029516aa69.html) ## Lawmakers keep public records fees, eye compliance deadlines November 6, 2018: Lawmakers on Friday advanced a bill that would require state agencies to be more responsive to and accountable for public records requests, but declined for now to address associated fees. [READ MORE](https://wyofile.com/lawmakers-keep-public-records-fees-eye-compliance-deadlines/) ## Records quest for 800 Wyo. agencies drives open records review May 29, 2018: Lawmakers are eyeing changes to public records law after a national group dedicated to government transparency flooded 800 Wyoming agencies with records requests last spring. [READ MORE](https://wyofile.com/records-quest-for-800-wyo-agencies-drives-open-records-review/) ## WYLIBERTY POLICY COMPASS Structured evaluations applying WyLiberty’s Policy Compass framework to proposed policies and legislation. [![Image](https://mail.wyliberty.org/images/2026/09/11/wyoming-policy-compass-box.jpg)](https://wyliberty.org/blog/wyliberty-policy-compass)