WHAT'S IN THIS ISSUE?

Wire Proposals - Please Vote!
Members Set WMS Policy
Session Recap - Week 4
Scope of Practice Debates Across U.S.

WLM Attends Legislative Session
PALS
Thank You Friends of WMS

ADVOCACY UPDATES

PLEASE VOTE - WIRE Proposals Awaiting Input

Each progress image links directly to the voting area for that issue.

Click each image to VOTE!

Bill 42: Regulation of Surgical Abortion continues to need WMS member input. 86% 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. 79% 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. 68% 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. 52% of the required minimum participation threshold has been achieved toward WMS taking a public position on this bill. VOTE HERE

BILL STATUS

Passed First Reading in the Senate

Members Set WMS Policy

The above image is clickable so you can view a larger version of the image

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.

REMINDER: Any member in good standing can submit a proposal on The WIRE for voting. If you don't want to submit it yourself, contact Sheila Bush in the WMS office who will work with you to ensure your proposal is posted for member input.

Session Recap - Week 4

Thank you Doc/PA of the Day Volunteers:

Terri Marso, PA-C (2/6/25)
Terri Marso, PA-C (2/7/25)

We still have several volunteer slots available.

CLICK HERE for more information and to view the volunteer schedule. If you would like to volunteer, please submit your preferred volunteer date to whitney@wyomed.org.

WMS Bill Tracker

Thursday was a fairly quiet day on the healthcare policy front in Cheyenne, so an update wasn't sent yesterday.

2/7/24

COMMITTEE ACTION

The House Labor/Health Committee kicked-off Friday early by finishing up public testimony on House Bill 250: Defining life and the rights of natural persons. This bill sought to define healthcare for purposes of constitutional interpretation in an effort to mitigate barriers to banning abortion in Wyoming. The Committee quickly learned why the state has avoided defining healthcare in statute, and discovered the complexity of such an endeavor. As written, the bill prohibits all pediatric healthcare in Wyoming. Representative Ken Clouston worked to amend the bill to fix this unintentional consequence and finally reported that even with the pages of amendments he had crafted, he didn't think all of the problems with the bill were resolved. A motion to table the bill for more discussion was made and seconded, however the motion failed by one vote. The Committee passed the bill without any amendments but committed to working the bill on the floor if it gets heard within the timeline.

HB 289: Certificate of need repeal - 3 (Passed)

HB 128: Public health emergency - definition amendments (Not Considered)

FLOOR ACTION

The Senate took up and passed Senate File 155: International Physician Licensure on General File before adjourning Thursday evening. WMS does not have a public position on this bill yet, but has been working with lawmakers on an individual basis to advise and educate. WMS physicians testified on the bill in committee to help the committee better understand the pros and cons of licensing international medical graduates and things to consider as they deliberate the proposal.

Friday's floor debate was dominated with Third Reading amendments on the supplemental budget. An amendment that mirrored the already failed amendment in the House to appropriate $18 Million to the Department of Health for purposes of granting funds to hospitals in support of maternity care failed in the Senate today as well.

ICYMI

Scope of Practice Debates Across the U.S.

Ever feel curious about how these legislative fights play out in other states around the country?

Linked HERE is a listing of scope of practice fights reported out by sister medical societies across America. This is not a comprehensive list but includes some interesting insights about what the rest of the country and physician organizations are discussing during their legislative seasons.