Wyoming weighs health care costs and SNAP as government shutdown nears end

CHEYENNE — As the longest federal government shutdown in the nation’s history seems to be coming to an end, Wyoming’s federal delegation is pointing fingers across the aisle amid health care price concerns.

And Wyoming Democrats, though thankful Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) funds should soon be restored, are concerned about what this means for Americans’ health care premiums.

At the beginning of the month, the federal government began withholding funds for SNAP benefits, impacting nearly 42 million American citizens. In response, Gov. Mark Gordon declared a public welfare emergency, allocating $10 million to support food banks and pantries in the meantime.

As of Monday, the Wyoming Department of Family Services had expended $109,509 to independent pantries, $544,290