Wyoming health department official expects deficit to grow
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CASPER (AP) — Wyoming Department of Health Director Tom Forslund asked lawmakers for help in addressing the $32 million budget deficit that’s only expected to grow.
The Casper Star-Tribune reports that in department’s presentation to the Joint Appropriations Committee on Tuesday, Forslund told lawmakers that this is the first time he hasn’t been able to deliver a budget in the authorized time period.
State budget documents show that at least $28 million of the shortfall was tied to Wyoming’s aging population and the increasing cost of long-term care facilities.
Forslund says that long-term care currently costs about $130 million a year, and it could more than double by 2030.
Forslund has requested an additional $49 million for the next cycle that starts in mid-2018 with about $25 million directed for the aging population.
