Wyoming
As Wyoming maternity care continues to erode, lawmakers mull ‘band-aids’ – WyoFile
When Banner Health announced in September that it would pause labor and delivery services at Platte County Hospital in Wheatland, it marked the fifth Wyoming hospital in recent history to shutter a birth facility.
Like facilities before it in Evanston, Rawlins, Kemmerer and Riverton, the hospital called it a difficult decision. Provider challenges like physician recruitment, declining births and profitability in Wyoming are steep. The result is a loss of services and large gaps in service here.
As lawmakers on the Legislature’s Joint Labor, Health and Social Services Committee spent most of Thursday wading through measures aimed at fortifying maternity care in the state, they acknowledged that the trend will be difficult to reverse. There were many references to the draft bills as “band-aids” that could perhaps keep maternity care limping along in its current state.
Ultimately, the panel advanced two of the five measures. The only draft bill to receive unanimous support would authorize freestanding birth centers to be covered by Medicaid for births handled by midwives.
The second bill that advanced, a divisive measure that ignited lengthy debate, would set rules and regulations aimed at protecting pregnancy centers, which are typically intended to discourage women from seeking abortions. The bill would prohibit the state or any municipality from compelling a pregnancy center to perform abortions, provide abortion medication or counsel in favor of abortion, among other acts.
Critics wondered if the measure even belonged in the discussion of fortifying maternity care.
“Please abandon this misguided bill,” said Britt Boril, executive director of WyoUnited, a reproductive rights organization. “It in no way helps us solve our issues with the maternity care deserts that I know we have a shared desire to alleviate. In fact, it aims to shield unregulated pregnancy centers from oversight.”
The committee advanced the measure on a vote of 12-2. That puts it on track to be among the committee-sponsored bills going into the 2026 session, which are historically more likely to pass.
The problem
A dearth of maternal health care has made pregnancy and childbirth increasingly tricky in widening swaths of Wyoming. That means families going to extraordinary lengths to deliver babies; doctors spread thin or on the brink of burnout and hospitals juggling the complicated cost formulas in thinking about maintaining labor wards.
If the trend continues, experts worry that mothers will put off or forgo prenatal care, travel long distances in difficult weather or give birth in emergency rooms with nurses who aren’t trained in labor and delivery, which could have dangerous or even deadly results. Births in the state, meanwhile, continue to fall.
The erosion also poses existential threats to communities, as adequate health care is crucial to attracting young families to rural towns, state leaders say. And though lawmakers and health care professionals have been searching for solutions, no single answer has emerged.
Wyoming isn’t alone, and legislative staff furnished the Labor Committee with a report highlighting strategies implemented in other states to improve maternal health care. They include expanding Medicaid to cover doula services or permit telehealth; creating incentive programs for maternal health care professionals; and integrating midwives into the state health care system.
Wyoming does grant certified nurse midwives a full and independent practice authority and provides midwives with a 100% Medicaid reimbursement rate.
The measures before the committee on Thursday represented an array of strategies to ease operations and costs for maternal services.
What advanced, what didn’t
The committee first considered a bill that would provide for increased reimbursement for obstetric physician services and critical access hospitals. That includes reimbursing OB-GYN services at 105% of the current Medicare rate. Critical access hospitals that offer labor and delivery services authorized under Medicaid, meanwhile, would be reimbursed for inpatient services at 100% of the actual cost for the services.
The measure could help with physician retention and family practice residencies that serve Medicaid patients, Cheyenne OB-GYN Jacques Beveridge said. “I think it could go a long way,” he said.
The Wyoming Medical Society also supported it. “We see it as a stabilization measure,” said Executive Director Sheila Bush, noting that it could be one of many strategies aimed at making shifts, even small ones. Eric Boley with the Wyoming Hospital Association echoed that.
“I think this is one opportunity to work on a much bigger problem and a bigger process,” Boley said. “I think this is an important bill if we want to sustain what we currently have, but it will not fix those [facilities] that have closed.”
Lawmakers, apparently wary of increased state expenses, did not support the bill. It died on a vote of 6 to 8.
They did, however, support a bill regarding extending Medicaid coverage to freestanding birth centers. These facilities are designed to provide a comfortable setting for uncomplicated births. They are not part of hospitals, but often do have partnerships with nearby hospitals or doctors in case more specialized care, such as a cesarean section, is needed.
Birthing centers’ appeal relates in part to expenses. They come with lower fixed costs because they specialize in vaginal births without medical complications, need less equipment and employ midwives, who are paid less. They could establish in regions with delivery service gaps as an option for straightforward births.
The committee was favorable.
“I look at this program as bringing a little rain to the maternity desert,” said Sen. Lynn Hutchings, R-Cheyenne.
Lawmakers did not advance a related bill, which would mandate private insurance coverage parity for freestanding birthing center services.
Abortion debate
The pregnancy center bill took up most of the committee’s time. Sen. Charlie Scott, R-Casper, noted that the document’s format itself was unusual. “Is this a national bill that has been copied?” he asked.
The 12-page bill draft includes much preamble, including statements about national events. It prohibits municipalities from interfering in specified pregnancy centers operations, and would impose severe penalties. Under the bill, a pregnancy center or any person aggrieved by a violation of the act can sue for up to three times the actual damages sustained.
To present the bill as a maternity care solution is disingenuous, critics said Thursday. Pregnancy centers disguise themselves as medical facilities when their true intent is to advocate against abortions, Boril of WyoUnited said.
Emma Laurant urged the committee to stop spending energy on divisive abortion measures “and actually support increasing practical solutions, such as expanding birthing centers and attracting OBs to the state to take care of Wyoming women and their tangible health and any subsequent children they choose to have.”
Valerie Berry, executive director of LifeChoice Pregnancy Center in Cheyenne, defended her center as a sound medical facility that provides quality care from licensed professionals.
Sen. Scott wondered if there is a current crisis in Wyoming regarding pregnancy centers and threats. Berry said they are happening around the U.S., though she isn’t aware of issues in Cheyenne.
Denise Burke, senior counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom, said the bill “was designed to protect Wyoming’s pregnancy centers from censorship or discrimination simply because they do not offer, refer for or counsel in favor for abortion, abortion-inducing drugs or contraceptives.”
Burke, who resides in Kansas, also said she isn’t aware of any potential threats in Wyoming.
Rep. Rachel Rodriguez-Williams, R-Cody, who chairs the Wyoming Freedom Caucus and was lead sponsor on the abortion ban now before the state high court, pushed back on Scott’s question of the bill’s provenance. She drafted a previous version of it with staff, she said, and it’s modeled specifically for Wyoming.
If you’re planning on visiting Wyoming, for a truly authentic experience, you must include at least one of the state’s awesome downtowns in your travel plans. Positioned at the southern end of the 60-mile-long valley known as Jackson Hole, the character-rich town of Jackson is one such place to consider. A wonderful place to explore on foot, Jackson’s unique downtown, with its Old West vibe, spreads out from the intersection of Broadway and Cache Street. While it consists of just a few blocks, it is jam-packed with fun things to do, no matter what time of year you visit. Its impressive elk arch makes for an excellent photo opportunity, while the charm of its Old West heritage exudes from the historic buildings, cowboy-themed bars, and art installations across town. The wild past also comes to life in Jackson during the Jackson Hole Shootout at the Town Square, a tradition that has endured since 1957.
Town Square And The Elk Antler Arches
Though Jackson’s Central Park is officially known as George Washington Memorial Park, locals and visitors alike prefer to call it Town Square. Dedicated in 1934, this centrally located public space occupies the block at Broadway and Cache and is famous for the elk antler archers set at each of its corners.
Made entirely from naturally shed elk antlers, the first arch was erected by local Boy Scouts and Rotary Club members in 1953, with the other three added a few years later. Each consists of around 2,000 antlers collected from the nearby National Elk Refuge and is among the most photographed landmarks in Wyoming.
For a truly memorable experience, try to time a visit to coincide with ELKFEST. Held in May, this community-wide celebration attracts visitors from across the country for events like the Mountain Man Rendezvous, a reenactment of the state’s early fur trading years.
The main event, though, is the highly anticipated Elk Antler Auction. Bidders from far and wide turn up at Town Square to purchase antlers, which are then used to make everything from furniture to jewelry (proceeds going back to the Elk Refuge).
Jackson’s Cowboy Heritage
From Memorial Day through Labor Day, Town Square becomes the backdrop of the famous Jackson Hole Shootout. This fun (and free) mock gunfight has been entertaining visitors since 1957 and includes several costumed outlaws and lawmen shooting it out (with blanks, of course). You can add to the experience by hopping aboard the Jackson Hole Stagecoach, a ride aboard a century-old coach that loops around downtown.
The Old West theme is evident in other spots around the downtown core, too. Steps from Town Square, the Million Dollar Cowboy Bar has been around since 1937 and is set in what was once the town’s first bank in the late 1890s. Highlights include its hand-carved bar top with silver dollars embedded in it, as well as its cool saddle barstools. Live music is regularly scheduled on the stage that has seen such legends as Willie Nelson and Hank Williams Jr. perform.
The Wort Hotel is another downtown landmark you’ll want to include in your Jackson itinerary. A local fixture since 1941, it’s here you’ll find the famous Silver Dollar Bar with its custom-made S-shaped counter inlaid with 2,032 uncirculated (and therefore rare) 1921 silver dollars. You’ll also want to check out its priceless collection of original Western art.
Other Fun Stuff To Do In Downtown Jackson
In addition to its iconic bars, downtown Jackson also boasts a world-class food scene. Highlights include Persephone Bakery, its old-fashioned stone hearth turning out delicious baked goods, including croissants and artisanal bread. Also yummy, Cafe Genevieve occupies an old log cabin and serves breakfast and lunch with a Southern-inspired menu.
Jackson’s art scene is also worth a mention. Art galleries are plentiful in the downtown area, with establishments like Astoria Fine Art and Mountain Trails Galleries, both on Town Square, featuring works by local, national, and international artists. The Center for the Arts is another cultural high point and features performance spaces, visual arts studios, and an outdoor sculpture park.
Snow King Mountain
Another unique feature of Jackson’s downtown is its proximity to some of Wyoming’s best (and certainly most accessible) ski hills. The base of Snow King Mountain is just six blocks from Town Square and has been in use since 1936, and really took off when Wyoming’s first chairlift opened here in 1946.
Dubbed the “Town Hill” by locals, Snow King now consists of 500 skiable acres, 41 named runs, three chairlifts, an eight-passenger gondola, and night skiing. In warmer months, the action shifts to a thrilling Cowboy Coaster, a zipline, a treetop adventure ropes course, and an alpine slide.
The Snow King Observatory and Planetarium is another excuse to head for the hills from downtown Jackson. Located at the summit of Snow King Mountain, in addition to its large telescope, this must-see attraction features a planetarium theater and a rooftop observation deck boasting incredible views over Jackson and the Jackson Hole Valley.
Explore Jackson’s Not-So-Wild Side
Downtown Jackson has so much to offer visitors seeking an authentic slice of Wyoming life. From its unique elk antler arches to its art galleries and cowboy culture, as well as its unique position steps from the ski hills, few towns in the USA’s Mountain Region can match the long list of fun things to do in Jackson’s downtown core.
The expansion would open the spigot for 550,000 barrels per day of crude, the company says. Although the crude would mostly pass through eastern Wyoming, the venture opens opportunities for Wyoming oil producers in the region for more transportation access to U.S. refineries and shipping ports, according to Bridger and local industry officials.“It would be the biggest project in our history, if it comes to fruition,” Bridger Pipeline spokesperson Bill Salvin told WyoFile on Friday. “We are, however, in the really early stages of the project. But we’re very excited about it.”Industry trade groups speculate the Bridger Pipeline Expansion is part of a competitive scramble to fill a gap left by TC Energy’s Keystone XL project. That company, in 2021, abandoned the controversial project in the face of major opposition and protests. It would have transported Canadian tar-sands oil into the U.S. market via a route extending through Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. Among many challenges for Keystone XL was acquiring new rights-of-way easements. Though the Bridger Pipeline Expansion proposal requires some new rights-of-way, that’s not the case for the 210-mile Wyoming segment, according to Salvin.“All of that distance is within, or parallel to, existing pipeline corridors,” Salvin said.
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The Wyoming segment would pass through Crook, Weston, Niobrara, Goshen and Platte counties.Bridger Pipeline, a subsidiary of Casper-based True Companies, submitted a notice of intent to the Montana Department of Environmental Quality in January and noted it will formally initiate environmental applications to the agency. Salvin told WyoFile he’s uncertain about the full spectrum of regulatory requirements in Wyoming.However, the company regards the Cowboy State as a great fit for the project, he said. “This [project proposal] just highlights how important the region is and how Wyoming is a very good place for energy projects like this.”Reached for comment, the Petroleum Association of Wyoming said the proposed pipeline only stands to benefit Wyoming producers and the state.“Investments like these, along with continued growth in areas like the Powder River Basin, show Wyoming will continue to play an important role in the nation’s energy markets,” PAW Vice President and Director of Communications Ryan McConnaughey told WyoFile. “Connecting in Guernsey allows product to be transported to refining hubs like Cushing, Oklahoma.” WyoFile is an independent nonprofit news organization focused on Wyoming people, places and policy.
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LARAMIE — Nasir Meyer converted a three-point play with 35 seconds remaining to give Wyoming Cowboys men’s basketball the lead for good, and Wyoming held Air Force Falcons men’s basketball scoreless over the final two minutes to secure a 66-62 victory Saturday night.
The win marked the 13th home victory of the season for Wyoming, which improved to 16-13 overall and 7-11 in conference play.
“Air Force deserves all the credit and let’s talk about a team that has every reason not to fight, but thats why they are Air Force and the cadets and I have a lot of respect for them,” Wyoming coach Sundance Wicks said. “They were not going to quit, and I didn’t drive that message home enough and hats off to Air Force because they deserved to win. We snuck away with a win. Adam Harakow showed when we need him and he was massive for us. Simm-Marten was made big plays and Naz was clutch for us late.”
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Wyoming shot 35% from the field and went 7 of 28 from 3-point range, making just two from beyond the arc in the second half. Air Force shot 49% overall and 44% from 3, hitting eight shots from long distance. The Cowboys made 13 of 16 free throws (81%) and scored 22 points off 15 Air Force turnovers while holding a 39-36 edge in rebounding.
Damarion Dennis led Wyoming with 16 points and three assists, going 7 of 8 from the free-throw line. Meyer finished with 14 points and tied a career best with eight rebounds. Adam Harakow added 14 points off the bench on 5-of-6 shooting, his first double-figure scoring game since the first meeting with Air Force. Simm-Marten Saadi had nine points in 13 minutes, and Kiani Saxon grabbed seven rebounds.
Air Force opened with back-to-back 3-pointers to take a 6-0 lead. Meyer scored Wyoming’s first basket, and Leland Walker added a 3-pointer to make it 8-5 with 16 minutes left in the first half.
Wyoming responded with a 9-0 run over nearly four minutes, with Saadi and Harakow each connecting from beyond the arc to give the Cowboys an 11-8 lead with under 14 minutes remaining. Air Force regained a 12-11 advantage as Wyoming went scoreless for more than two minutes.
Harakow’s second 3-pointer pushed the lead to 22-16 with nine minutes left in the half, and Wyoming used a 6-0 run while holding the Falcons without a field goal for more than four minutes to build a 28-18 lead with six minutes remaining. The Cowboys closed the half on a defensive stand, keeping Air Force scoreless for the final two minutes to take a 35-25 lead into the break. Wyoming scored 15 first-half points off turnovers.
The teams traded 3-pointers early in the second half, and Air Force cut the deficit to 40-31 with under 17 minutes left before trimming it to seven 90 seconds later. Walker answered with a 3-pointer to make it 43-33 with 15 minutes to go.
Air Force used a 9-0 run during a stretch in which Wyoming went more than 3 1/2 minutes without a point to pull within one with nine minutes left. The Falcons later tied the game at 51-51 with 5:30 remaining after forcing six straight missed shots.
A pair of free throws by Meyer and a basket from Saadi gave Wyoming a 57-53 lead with under four minutes to play. Air Force answered with three consecutive 3-pointers from Kam Sanders to take a 62-59 lead with two minutes left.
Meyer scored with 90 seconds remaining to cut the deficit to one. On the next trip, he converted an and-one to give Wyoming a 64-62 lead with 35 seconds left. The Cowboys added late free throws to close out the 66-62 win.
Sanders led Air Force with 16 points and nine rebounds, going 4 of 5 from 3-point range. Eli Robinson added 12 points on 5-of-7 shooting.
Wyoming closes its home schedule Tuesday against Nevada Wolf Pack men’s basketball at 8 p.m. as part of a doubleheader with the Cowgirls.
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