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Public witnesses urge state action on SNAP purchase rules and expiring marketplace premium tax credits
Summary
Public commenters asked the committee to pursue SNAP purchase waivers to limit purchases of low‑nutrient items and warned the end of federally expanded premium tax credits could raise premiums and leave thousands uninsured in Wyoming.
Several public witnesses used the committee's public‑comment period to press state officials to act on two federal policy changes that would affect food assistance and health coverage in Wyoming.
Jeff Daugherty of the Foundation for Government Accountability urged the committee to consider a state waiver to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program that would limit subsidized purchases of foods high in sugar and salt. Daugherty reviewed other states' progress and told the panel that three states have approved waivers (he cited Nebraska, Iowa and Indiana as approvals) and several others had pending requests. He said the state could either request a waiver from USDA or ask the governor's office to file on the state's behalf and offered his group's assistance in preparing a legislative committee bill for next session.
Public‑health advocates and consumer groups focused on the potential loss of the expanded premium tax credits created by recent federal law. Pat Sweeney and Jen Lowe of Healthy Wyoming summarized the effect: around 46,000 Wyoming residents buy plans through the federal marketplace, and roughly 44,000 of those currently receive premium tax credits that lower cost. Sweeney said those credits are set to expire at year‑end and that analysts estimate between 10,000 and 11,000 residents could lose coverage when the credits end unless Congress extends them or the state takes action to mitigate the effect. He gave an illustrative household example — a plan with a current net premium of about $6,982 could rise to an estimated $44,000 if credits lapse.
Witnesses urged the state to move quickly to evaluate waiver options for SNAP and to coordinate with the governor's office on the marketplace issue. Committee members asked about administrative burdens for retailers and the potential cost on small businesses for SNAP changes; Daugherty said many modern point‑of‑sale systems can restrict EBT purchases and that a phased approach is possible. No committee action was taken; witnesses asked staff to prepare options the committee could consider.
