WMS Vice President Tracey Haas, DO, MPH, FAAFP – As a Wyoming family physician, I’ve long been curious about how health policy is shaped—and how it connects to the clinical decisions we make every day. For many of us, the legislative process—and the idea that a single person can influence it—can feel abstract or distant. But here in Wyoming, we’re fortunate. Not only do we have a front-row seat to the policymaking process, we have real opportunities to participate in it.
In June, I attended the Joint Labor, Health & Social Services Interim Committee meeting in Casper. The agenda was packed with issues that hit close to home for this family physician: maternal care deserts, rural emergency services, artificial intelligence in prior authorization, naturopathic licensure and scope of practice, and more.
Each topic underscored a simple truth: our presence and attention matters.
Take maternal care deserts, for example—these conversations could determine whether obstetric services will remain in our communities, and who is able to deliver them. The debate around prior authorization and the use of AI could affect whether decisions about our patients’ care are made by medical professionals or algorithms. And proposals around naturopathic licensure raise critical questions about who qualifies as a primary care physician in Wyoming.
For those who’ve never attended a legislative hearing or committee meeting, here’s a quick breakdown of how it works:
Each meeting follows a structured agenda with timed presentations, followed by legislator Q&A. Witness testimony –from agencies, advocacy groups, and individuals, sometimes including some of our own Wyoming docs –is invited for each topic. Public comment is also welcomed—either in person or via Zoom—for those who’ve signed up in advance. Once testimony and public comment conclude, lawmakers discuss next steps, challenge assumptions, propose bill drafts. The process moves quickly and is often shaped by conversations happening behind the scenes.
As physicians, this setting offers us an important opportunity: to clarify how policies translate to patient care—not through legal language, but through real-world examples.
For me, the most important and without a doubt, incredibly inspiring part of attending was watching Sheila Bush, Executive Director of the Wyoming Medical Society (WMS), in action.Sheila serves as WMS’s primary lobbyist and is a consistent, calm, and informed voice on behalf of Wyoming’s physicians. She sits through every minute of these hearings, tracks every bill line by line, and—when needed—steps to the mic to offer testimony or clarification. She is in constant communication with stakeholders, and pulls experts into the conversation with ease. Watching the sheer amount of work that goes on when she’s not at the mic is something every Wyoming doctor should witness at least once. The advocacy we are getting is likely unnoticed by most of us, but invaluable to say the least.
Whether flagging unintended consequences of a proposal or quietly passing notes to lawmakers about the implications for rural clinicians, Sheila ensures that WMS members’ interests are represented—even when we can’t be there. And when we are there, Sheila is a tireless guide—translating legislative jargon, making introductions, and advising when and how to make our voices heard. From maternal and child health, emergency services to scope of practice, these policy decisions shape every corner of our work. We’re lucky to have Sheila Bush and Chelsea Cortez advocating for us across the state. But they can’t do it alone. The more WMS members show up, share their stories, and speak with clarity and compassion, the stronger our collective voice becomes.
Attending the June session was eye-opening. It reminded me that we are more than clinicians—we are stakeholders in the future of healthcare in Wyoming. If you’ve never attended a legislative session, I highly encourage you to go. If you’re not sure where to start, reach out to Sheila Bush. She’ll walk you through it, every step of the way, with a smile.
Next Legislative Meeting: October 16–17 in Cheyenne
Want to attend or submit testimony? Visit www.wyomed.org or contact the Wyoming Medical Society.
Let’s show up—for our patients, our profession, and our state.