A bill that would offer health insurance to people who couldn’t afford it on the open market has cleared a hurdle in the Wyoming House.

The House Labor, Health and Social Services Committee on yesterday recommended that the full House approve Senate File 61. The bill that would create a health care pilot program.

Casper Republican Sen. Charles Scott has pushed the health pilot program bill for the past few years. He says the program could serve as an example to the rest of the nation of how to tackle rising health care costs.

The bill passed the Senate last year but died in the House.  Governor Frudenthal supports the measure and says there is no reason why this bill should not be on his desk soon…(Click to hear comment from Gov. Freudenthal)

House Labor committee chairman Rep. Jack Landon, a Sheridan Republican, says he expects the bill to have a better chance in the House this year.

The program would be paid for with $1 million from tobacco settlement funds.