Healthcare Crisis is Real

Guest Editorial appeared in Casper Star Tribune, Sunday, October 31

Healthcare remains the number one issue facing Wyoming citizens.  The reason is obvious:  the loss of doctors in a state which already is considered a crisis state because of high liability insurance rates.   

Why should that concern you?  There are four reasons:

• Wyoming already ranks 47^th out of 50 states in terms of the number of doctors per-capita;
• Our healthcare industry employs 23,000 people -- more than the populations of every

Wyoming city but three. On average one in ten of your working neighbors is employed in healthcare;

• Without doctors, Wyoming people will be forced to travel long distances for medical services…and even  out of state for some just to receive basic medical services; and
• As Wyoming’s healthcare crisis worsens...and it will without changes…our ability to recruit new businesses, and keep existing employers, will diminish.

The liability insurance crisis facing Wyoming doctors and hospitals is real, not imagined.  Specialty doctors in Wyoming, like OB/GYN and orthopaedics, pay $30,000 or more for liability insurance than what doctors pay in neighboring states.  If you are a doctor just finishing medical school and your residency training, with $100,000 in student loans, you are forced to ask “If I go to Ft. Collins to practice, I can put that $30,000 toward my student loans instead of for the higher liability insurance premiums that I’d have to pay in Wyoming.  Why should I move to Wyoming?”  

On November 2, Wyoming voters will be able to decide whether they want our healthcare crisis to be solved. That’s when they will have the opportunity to vote on two proposed Constitutional Amendments on tort reform:   Amendments C & D.  Amendment C is related to medical review panels as a way to resolve liability lawsuits; the other, (D) allows the legislature to set limits on non-economic damages, also known as pain and suffering.  Amendment D does not take the right away for an individual to sue for economic or punitive damages. 

Healthcare is a foundation block for communities across Wyoming.  But this foundation is being threatened as doctors leave Wyoming, eliminate some services or choose to retire.  Our state faces a real healthcare crisis.  Passage of Amendments C&D will help alleviate this crisis.  Together, both Constitutional Amendments C & D should result in more competitive insurance rates for healthcare providers – doctors and hospitals-- and enable Wyoming to maintain a good healthcare system. 

The negative and worsening trends of the past few years in Wyoming, (i.e. the loss of doctors, the loss of one of Wyoming’s two major insurers, plus rising insurance costs for both doctors and hospitals) leaves little room for error.  The Wyoming Healthcare Commission – an agency created by the state because of our healthcare crisis - endorses both Constitutional Amendments C & D.  The legislature in July approved by 2/3 majorities having these two ballot measures in the November election.  People from across Wyoming have spoken about the need for tort reform and the importance of having primary care and specialty doctors.   

Now is the time for you, too, to decide on how you will cast your vote…and on the way, we urge every state elected official, chamber of commerce and civic trustee and local government, education and non-profit leader to step forward by announcing their public support for Amendments C&D as well. 

Rex Arney , Attorney, Sheridan

Bill Hill, Mine Manager, Point of Rocks

Jim Porter, CPA, Casper 

Rex Arney, Bill Hill and Jim Porter are on the Steering Committee of the Wyoming Business Alliance/Wyoming Heritage Foundation