Cheyenne Hospital CEO Supports Medicaid Expansion

Cheyenne Regional Medical Center CEO Margo Karsten thinks the positives of expanding Medicaid coverage in Wyoming outweigh the negatives.

Karsten understands concerns opponents have about expanding another government-run program in the state, but she says the benefit the expansion would have in extending health coverage to a high-risk segment of the population that may otherwise be left without health care outweighs the risks. The expansion would cover about 17,000 Wyoming residents according to most estimates.

While state lawmakers have so far opted not to expand the program in Wyoming, Karsten is pleased the legislature has decided to continue to study the issue.

Governor Matt Mead and other opponents of the expansion have said they do not trust the federal government's promises to help pick up the tab for expansion over the long haul.