A prescription for real reformAs members of Congress spar over health-care reform in Washington, legislators in Wyoming have agreed on a plan that may truly change how low-income residents receive medical care.The measure provides $750,000 for a pilot program for health insurance and care costs for up to 500 residents in the state. Under the initiative recently signed by Gov. Dave Freudenthal, participants will be able to use their accounts for preventive services and pay premiums for approved insurance plans.To qualify for the pilot program, residents must have a family income of less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level and work at least 20 hours per week.The project is geared to show low-income residents that they have a stake in keeping personal health-care costs down. It also aims to encourage patients to receive proper preventive care, which helps curb serious health problems, emergency room visits and costs down the road.The pioneering program is unique to Wyoming — no other state has tried this approach, according Charles Scott, R-Casper, who sponsored the bill.As Scott said in a recent Tribune interview, “Nationally, we've seen the need for health-care reform, but we're not getting anything done. Well, in Wyoming, we are getting things done.”It is certainly encouraging to see that in Wyoming, leaders are taking the initiative to address health-care issues.Though the innovative program will likely take time to develop, and it won't solve all the woes related to medical costs, it is better than no reform at all.

A prescription for real reform

As members of Congress spar over health-care reform in Washington, legislators in Wyoming have agreed on a plan that may truly change how low-income residents receive medical care.

The measure provides $750,000 for a pilot program for health insurance and care costs for up to 500 residents in the state. Under the initiative recently signed by Gov. Dave Freudenthal, participants will be able to use their accounts for preventive services and pay premiums for approved insurance plans.

To qualify for the pilot program, residents must have a family income of less than 200 percent of the federal poverty level and work at least 20 hours per week.

The project is geared to show low-income residents that they have a stake in keeping personal health-care costs down. It also aims to encourage patients to receive proper preventive care, which helps curb serious health problems, emergency room visits and costs down the road.

The pioneering program is unique to Wyoming — no other state has tried this approach, according Charles Scott, R-Casper, who sponsored the bill.

As Scott said in a recent Tribune interview, “Nationally, we've seen the need for health-care reform, but we're not getting anything done. Well, in Wyoming, we are getting things done.”

It is certainly encouraging to see that in Wyoming, leaders are taking the initiative to address health-care issues.

Though the innovative program will likely take time to develop, and it won't solve all the woes related to medical costs, it is better than no reform at all.