Medicaid expansion supporters rally at Wyoming Capitol
The rally, hosted by the Healthy Wyoming coalition, drew a moderate crowd of roughly 100 people, many wearing signs and bright yellow T-shirts distributed by the coalition. Some legislators joined in as they exited the
Though each speaker offered a different perspective and level of expertise, they all shared a clear message: Medicaid expansion is necessary to create a stronger
"Some people will tell you that people don't have health care because they don't want to work for it," emcee
She went on to emphasize that the people who need care are, more often than not, minimum wage workers who either aren't offered health care benefits by their employers or can't afford their own health insurance.
Lawmakers have had the opportunity to expand Medicaid since the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act was passed by
This leaves
A rally like the one held on Tuesday has been common over the past 10 years, but this time around, those in attendance seemed more optimistic. They proudly chanted in a call-and-response with Swenson at the podium.
"I'm more optimistic this year," said supporter
Among others in the crowd were
The expansions proposed in House Bill 80 would make roughly 19,000 to 25,000 more Wyomingites eligible for health care coverage. While this is a small fraction of the state's population, Medina pointed out it's equivalent to roughly two-thirds of
It has an even bigger effect on marginalized communities in
"We did a needs assessment for the barriers standing between LGBTQ Wyomingites and equitable health care," Medina said. "The number one thing was insurance.
They don't have it, and, if they do, it doesn't cover the things they need.
"Doing something like this protects all Wyomingites, but it also protects those who are most vulnerable," he said.
Aside from the communities that could benefit the most from Medicaid expansion, passage of HB 80 would play a major role in making mental health services more readily available to those who need it.
During the presentation, Dr.
Chen said not having insurance often creates a barrier for those looking to receive mental health services.
"We owe it to our fellow Wyomingites to more effectively spread the word in a state where mental health treatment is already so stigmatized and facing an uphill battle," Chen said. "A
There was another message that each speaker emphasized, and that was to speak to their legislators face to face.
After the rally, many of those who attended entered the state
Sen.
Rather than criticize and try to sway the opposition with "hard luck" stories, he urged those in attendance to approach legislators economically, with examples of how Medicaid will be good for
"They're good people. They're smart people. They have strong feelings," Case said. "They believe, mistakenly, that Medicaid expansion would somehow weaken us as a people or weaken
Former Rep.
Like Case, Sweeney emphasized a respectful discourse between supporters and legislators. He encouraged the crowd by saying that the goal of passing Medicaid expansion is achievable in
"If you listen to the other side, they think that this is all just a socialized program," he said. "It is not. It'll create a better workforce. It'll create a healthy workforce."
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