Committee hears competing views on bill to require in‑state licensure for reviewers who decide prior authorizations and appeals

CHEYENNE — Lawmakers heard extensive testimony on House Bill 76, a bill from Representative Brandon Brown that would require clinicians making prior-authorization determinations or reviewing appeals for Wyoming patients to hold a Wyoming license.

Representative Brown framed the measure as a consumer-protection bill prompted by constituent cases in which out-of-state clinicians denied approvals and left Wyoming patients with limited local recourse. “Patients in Wyoming are being denied by doctors in other states,” Brown said, urging the committee to forward the bill and allow stakeholders to refine its language.

Why it matters: The bill seeks to give Wyoming patients greater ability to file complaints or seek discipline against clinicians who make decisions that affect Wyoming patients. Proponents described scenarios in which an out‑of‑state reviewer denied a preauthorization and the in‑state patient experienced harm or financial…