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Senate committee of the whole advances EMS Medicaid reimbursement and National Guard recruitment bills

Wyoming Senate · February 13, 2026

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Summary

In committee of the whole the Senate backed measures to increase Medicaid reimbursement for EMS services and to fund National Guard reenlistment and referral bonuses; sponsors cited rising fixed ambulance costs and neighboring states'recruitment incentives.

The Senate moved into committee of the whole on Feb. 16 to consider several budget and personnel measures. Senator Scott explained Senate File 4 as a step to raise Medicaid reimbursement for emergency medical services at least to Medicare rates to help sustain ambulance coverage; he cited testimony that fixed annual costs for maintaining an ambulance with required personnel and equipment can reach approximately $500,000 and that the bill will draw federal matching funds. "We're going to at least pay as well as Medicare does," Scott said when describing the proposed reimbursement change.

The committee also considered two bills aimed at National Guard retention. Senate File 12 would create a reenlistment/extension bonus, capped at $5,000, with a standing committee fiscal note of $1,000,000 for the next two years to support up to 200 enlistments at the maximum payout. Sponsors said the bonus targets specialties not covered by federal reenlistment incentives and cited neighboring states'experience raising end strength.

Senate File 13 would expand referral incentive eligibility to retired members and department employees and increase the referral payment from $500 to $1,000, extend the program through July 1, 2028, and include an appropriation. Committee debate focused on the appropriate appropriation level; ultimately a standing committee amendment increasing the appropriation to $250,000 was adopted and the bill passed committee.

Outcome and next steps: Each bill passed out of the committee of the whole with favorable recommendation to the full Senate for later consideration. Sponsors recommended follow-up reporting and noted the need to monitor implementation and recruitment results.