The bill establishes the Wyoming Rural Health Transformation Program, aimed at improving healthcare services in rural areas by managing federal funds designated for rural health transformation. It creates a Wyoming rural health transformation advisory committee with nine voting members to oversee the program's operations, including reviewing expenditures and making recommendations. A perpetuity fund is established to manage and invest these funds, ensuring continuous annual distributions for various healthcare initiatives, such as critical access hospital incentives and workforce education support. The bill also outlines governance structures, fiscal controls, and accountability measures, mandating the Department of Health to administer the program in line with the Wyoming rural health transformation plan.
Additionally, the bill focuses on enhancing access to healthcare for seniors and individuals with disabilities through a centralized nonemergency medical transportation coordination platform. It specifies percentage allocations for various initiatives, including administration and redistribution of unallocated funds, while allowing the Department to adjust these targets based on documented needs. Expenditures exceeding $500,000 require written approval from the advisory committee and prior notice to the legislature. Recipients of funds must adhere to performance agreements, with noncompliance potentially leading to repayment of funds. The bill appropriates federal funds for the perpetuity fund and time-limited initiatives, with the Department of Health responsible for implementing necessary rules. A study of related policy issues is scheduled for the 2026 interim, and the act takes effect immediately upon completion of legislative processes.