JACKSON, Wyo. — The Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) is seeking citizen input on Wyoming’s Rural Health Transformation Program with a virtual meeting and an online survey.
A press release from Wyoming Governor Mark Gordon’s office stated that WDH has been conducting a series of public meetings to gather input on the challenges, strengths and opportunities of rural health care. The additional virtual meeting is scheduled for Thursday, Oct. 9, from 3 to 4 p.m. The online survey went live on Oct. 8 and runs until Wednesday, Oct. 15.
The Rural Health Transformation Program was created through the federal passage of H.R.1 – One Big Beautiful Bill Act. According to WDH, this program offers the state an opportunity to bolster rural health care through “sustainable, innovative and transformative solutions.”
“The online survey, public forums and now an additional virtual meeting are to make sure Wyomingites have the opportunity to weigh in on strengthening health care and wellness in our rural communities,” Gordon said via press release.
Attendees at past community meetings have highlighted the following health care concerns:
- Staffing and workforce challenges
- Hospitals and long-term care facitilies
- Importance of primary care and physician-patient relationships
- Behavioral health gaps
- “Maternity deserts” and lack of obstetric care
- Emergency Medical Services (EMS) sustainability
The anonymous survey takes less than five minutes to complete and can be accessed here.
“The results from this survey will directly shape Wyoming’s application for these federal funds,” WDH Director Stefan Johansson said in the statement. “We want to encourage anyone, even folks who haven’t been to the public meetings, to weigh in through the survey.”
