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The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

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Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

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Two-Hour Hearing on Medicaid, but No Vote

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Thursday, February 20, 2014   

CHEYENNE, Wyo. - Wyomingites spent two hours taking turns at the podium on Wednesday, testifying in favor of a bill (SF 118) that would allow the state to accept federal money to extend Medicaid insurance coverage to more than 17,000 residents.

Jane Fonfara, Laramie, testified that she has only been able to find a part-time job with no insurance coverage, and said she has a teen daughter who needs continuing care but will soon lose coverage under the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). She said Medicaid was her only hope, because she makes too little to qualify for tax credits under the Affordable Care Act.

"We're going to have a lot of medical bills to face, and I don't know how I'm going to do it on $800 a month. There are a lot of people in this state just like me," Fonfara said.

Those against accepting the money said they doubt the federal government would keep its promise to continue funding the program. The chair of the committee, Sen. Charles Scott (R-Casper), called recess and did not reconvene to vote on the bill (SF 188), so it has effectively died for the session. The Wyoming Coalition for Medicaid Solutions will try again by pushing for an amendment to the budget bill.

David Young, Laramie, also testified. He said he lost his job several years ago when it was outsourced overseas and has been unemployed or under-employed ever since. He would gain coverage under expansion, he said.

"It's money that the government has already set aside for this purpose," Young pointed out. "It would be ridiculous for us not to take advantage of these federal funds, given how much it would benefit the citizens of the state."

The Wyoming Department of Health has estimated the state would save about $40 million over two years if it accepted the federal funding.



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