Legislative committee cuts health funding

A panel of Wyoming legislators has voted to deny Gov. Matt Mead's request to use state money to make up for expired federal stimulus funds that had gone to help support the Medicaid program.

A majority of members of the Joint Appropriations Committee voted against Mead's request to give the Health Department and extra $37 million for Medicaid today.

The committee also voted against Mead's request to put up nearly $7 million to cut waiting lists for people in the state waiting for services for developmental disabilities and acquired brain injuries.

Legislative leaders have called on all state agencies to prepare for possible funding cuts in the face of recent state estimates that call for $100 million less in natural gas tax revenues over the coming two-year budget cycle.