During the Wyoming Legislature’s “interim” session this summer and fall, small groups of lawmakers will meet as committees to discuss specific issues.
Ideally, the committees will prepare fine-tuned legislation that addresses the issues, and then propose it when the full Legislature next convenes in February 2026.
In a series of blog posts, Better Wyoming will break down some of the most important issues of the current “interim” session so folks can better know what’s going on and how to get involved.
ISSUE: Workers who care for developmentally disabled people don't earn a living wage in Wyoming
COMMITTEE: Joint Appropriations
NEXT MEETING: Aug. 20 - 21, Dubois
Overview
Medical providers, the Department of Health, and parents delivered a powerful message to the Joint Appropriations Committee last month: People who care for developmentally disabled individuals deserve a living wage.
In Wyoming, they often don’t receive one, despite their hard work caring for a population that is among the state’s most vulnerable.
Providers who employ these healthcare workers said they can't compete with wages offered by fast food and other industries.
Daryl Skinner, director of Lincoln Self Reliance, a provider in Lincoln and Uinta counties, said staff turnover due to low pay for the difficult work is a critical problem. The average employee spends six months on the job before quitting.
“It’s like a revolving door, and it definitely impacts the quality of care,” Skinner said. “Can you imagine any industry having to retrain staff that often?”
Caregivers often work with disabled people who are nonverbal, so employees must learn to read body language to communicate. Some are also aggressive, particularly at bedtime.
Timi Park, retired nursing supervisor at Sheridan’s hospital, said she has a 48-year-old son who became developmentally disabled as an adult. Park said care provided by Easter Seals through the Medicaid waiver program has been a life-saver.
“I know it’s difficult to find the help, and it’s hard to come up with more money, but it is very welcome to those of us who receive it,” Park said. “My son is worth it.”
Legislative background
A steering committee last year published a study recommending increasing state funds for the Department of Health by $12 million for Medicaid reimbursement rates, so providers can increase pay for caregivers of developmentally disabled individuals.
But the recommendation was not forwarded to lawmakers. The Joint Appropriations Committee made the issue a priority during the interim.
Freedom Caucus member Rep. Ken Pendergraft of Sheridan and Rep. Clarence Styvar of Cheyenne said they support the increase.
“This is one of the reasons we have government,” Pendergraft said.
He asked Department of Health Director Steffan Johansson what his agency is willing to “sacrifice” to pay for it.
Johansson noted lawmakers cut $100 million or more in three DOH biennial budgets since 2013. If the JAC is looking for ”fat” to cut, he said, there aren't places to find it.
Angela Silvester, Better Wyoming Laramie County field organizer who has a son who receives care at home with a developmental disabled waiver, said Johansson is correct.
“About 95% of their budget goes to direct services, which keeps their administrative costs very small so they can’t trim the budget more,” Silvester said. “What they spend goes into the community and into people’s pockets.”
What’s next?
The Joint Appropriations Committee will tentatively take up the Medicaid waiver issue when it meets Aug. 19-20 at 8:30 a.m. in Dubois. Lawmakers will tentatively visit a facility that cares for developmentally disabled folks during their trip.
An agenda for the session has not been released, but a formal meeting notice will be posted on the Legislature’s website.
People who can’t attend can watch the meeting on the Wyoming Legislature’s YouTube channel (Look under “Interim Committee Meetings” for Joint Appropriations Committee).