Wyoming’s State-Run ‘BearCare’ Plan Offers Low Costs to Alleviate Insurance Crisis

Wyoming is using a $205 million federal grant to launch "BearCare," a state-run catastrophic health plan designed as a low-cost safety net for residents facing soaring insurance premiums. The grant is part of a broader national rural health initiative.

• Just the bare necessities: A riff on the classic Jungle Book song, the BearCare concept is just as stripped down, kicking in only for true, out-of-the-blue disasters like a car crash or a literal bear attack. "It's really just the bare bones of what's required for an emergency," said Franz Fuchs, the state health department’s deputy director. The program is designed to be self-sustaining through member fees, not long-term government subsidies.

• Regulatory wild west: The proposal is drawing criticism from some lawmakers wary of the government competing in the private sector, with one Republican opponent dubbing it "Gordon Care" after the governor. As a form of "fixed indemnity" insurance, the initiative isn't bound by all ACA regulations, meaning it doesn't have to cover essential health benefits or protect people with pre-existing conditions.

While BearCare is grabbing headlines, the bulk of the grant is aimed at stabilizing rural hospitals and boosting the state's healthcare workforce. Before the program can launch, it still needs the Wyoming Legislature to build the legal architecture and give the final green light, making it a key test case for how rural states confront the health insurance affordability crisis.