Cynthia Lummis

Washington, May 5 -

U.S. Representative Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.) released the following statement regarding Wyoming’s decision to not to participate in the high-risk pool provision included in President Obama’s health care bill:

“The Democrats promised that their health plan would have immediate benefits for people with pre-existing conditions. But their high-risk pool is ironically too risky for some of Wyoming’s most vulnerable. The patients in Wyoming’s high-risk pool, who enrolled despite the significantly more expensive premiums, won’t qualify for the federal program. If they want access to the federal program, they will have to drop their coverage for six months, cross their fingers, and hope they don’t get sick.

“This program also asks Wyoming to take risks it can’t afford. The program promises benefits through 2014, but the Obama Administration’s chief actuary estimates that federal funds would dry up as soon as next year.  This could put Wyoming taxpayers on the hook to pay for benefits.

“Many questions surround how this program is going to operate and who is going to pay for any funding shortfalls. Clearly, Washington’s hastiness in passing the health care bill isn’t paying off.  The Democrat Majority simply did not take the time that was necessary to tailor this program to the needs of states like Wyoming. We could use more resources to lower premiums and improve benefits in the high risk pool we already have.  But we don’t need more bureaucracy and unfunded mandates.”