Concerns revolve around institutionalizing disabled, future of Medicaid funding in Wyoming

CHEYENNE – Funding troubles are leading to a variety of difficulties when it comes to caring for the intellectually and developmentally disabled in Wyoming.

Advocates for those populations have gone to the state to address what they see as potentially inappropriate institutionalizations because of reduced funding levels for community-based programs.

Additionally, as plans continue rolling out for new state-owned mental health facilities, uncertainty about the future of Medicaid is causing those same advocates to urge caution in how the state moves forward.

The Wyoming State Hospital in Evanston and the Life Resource Center in Lander are mental health facilities owned by the state Department of Health. The facilities’ age and capacity limitations necessitated upgrades, which are currently still in the design process.

Read more: http://trib.com/news/state-and-regional/concerns-revolve-around-institutionalizing-disabled-future-of-medicaid-funding-in/article_d6576805-b98d-55b1-a245-eccd53df3671.html