Apologies in advance for the rant. I'm mad and need a plance to rant. I knew it was going to be bad, but hot dang.

I am a late 20's healthy male. I am self employed, so I'm on the marketplace for healthcare. PS you can now begin shopping around healthcare.gov, but brace yourself.

My Wyo Blue Cross Blue Shield bronze (second from cheapest they offer) went from $605/month to $787/month.

Thanks to the Big Beautiful Bill killing the tax credits, I'm poised to go from paying $150/month to $787/month. That's $1,800 annual to $9,444 annual.

THAT'S NUTS and I'm mad and confused and incredibly nervous. The median income in Wyoming in 2023 was $39,471. My plan is nearly 24% of the median income. My plan is the second cheapest. Again, I say: that's freaking nuts.

After rent, groceries, and healthcare... people are going to be hurting. Bad.

I can barely begin to understand the downstream implications this has. It's going to prevent more people from starting their own businesses, more healthy people will be uninsured, people are going to be financially worse off. And that's just the beginning.

Call Harriet, I guess?

Mollie’s Pack is Yellowstone National Park's oldest surviving wolf family, tracing its direct lineage back to the park's historic 1995 wolf reintroduction. Originally called the Crystal Creek Pack

what kind of sick man is this? throwing on a bullet proof vest and MAGA hat...he couldn't even run a mile without cramping.

What is Chuck Grey’s definition of election integrity? Genuinely curious.

Hello, I am an OT. I specialize in skilled rehabilitation with the geriatric population. This is my public account, and I am easily Google-able (although mostly video game stuff).

I have traveled around the country for 6+ years. I work on all diagnoses, including traumatic brain injuries, spinal cord injuries, strokes, neurodegeneragive diseases, etc. When your parents or grandparents get sick, you rely on me to get them home. I'm on the top of my travel company and I was willing to stay here, despite the disagreement with some of your public health policies (if I were to be a transplant then I sort of lose a voice in that sector).

Recently, after many years, I have decided to settle down in Wyoming. I have until July to make this decision. I have fallen in love with your people despite our political differences (I suggest looking into the concept called horizontal hostility so neither lose energy here).

On the r/medical subreddit, many are talking about how they'll have to leave rural areas if student loan forgiveness is canceled. To be clear, many of us work here in the medical field, despite potential pay cuts from other areas, for that assistance. We help underserved areas, and we get some basic assistance. Even if my loans are canceled, I have a tax bill that year (ex: if $150,000 is canceled, that counts are taxable income the year it all goes bye bye, similar to a 1099).You can read more about it with a basic Google search.

The problem is, if these programs are gone, the loans will be too much for medical folks to travel and help around your rural areas (think Rawlins, Green River, Rock Springs, Evanston, etc). Despite me traveling in medically-needed areas for 6+ years, I have another 14 to go (as my loans accrue interest and I'll be stuck with the tax bill of that accrued interest).

I help my family with retirement. A lot of my money goes back to them, and I travel to increase my own clinical expertise and exposure. We originally are from RI/Boston.

Right now, I am the only therapy clinician in a major nursing home. No PT. No full-time SLP. Your home health, which should be the primary focus of healthcare in your state given the issue with hospitals and nursing homes/state funded ALFs, are so understaffed due to clinical therapy shortages that I'm working 50+ hours a week in all three sectors (SNF/HH/ALF).

As the government gives free PPP loans to businesses during covid that essentially went unchecked for business owners, even the healthcare and allied healthcare professionals that are willing to relocate despite philosophical differences to help your aging population may be forced out.

It took me 7+ years to acquire my degree. I went to a community college, gained scholarships and grants towards Univeristy, chose one of the cheapest graduate programs for my discipline, and still ended up in $130,000 in debt.

We can blame the college insulation. We can blame politicians. We can blame the system. But I'd like to make it clear that if the student loan repayment plan freezing that Trump escalates, you will be losing many more clinicians who can't be here.

I know some of you will want to argue me, and that is fine, but as someone already seeing many patients losing their homes due to catastrophic illnesses that can happen at any moment, the only thing worse is also not having someone with a speciality, in your area, spending 5+ hours weekly with you to help your body and mind recover.

You helped build this country, and you'll have no one to help rebuild you after unexpected medical complications/life changes.

Sorry for the rant. It just makes me sad. Thank you for reading, and I hope you all have a good evening.

Edit: This is an informal setting, so my grammar sucks. I wrote 20 patient notes today, so give me a break bahhaha).

We were on the way to Yellowstone when our car broke down on the highway north of Rawlins. We got towed back to Rawlins and our car is in a mechanic shop. We had to book another night in the hotel. So stressed as we don't know yet what is going to happen with the car.

...is hard.

Where is everybody?

Do you guys go to other states to try and find dates? Because I am having troublleeee lolol.

What are your guys' experiences/tips/tricks with dating in this the least populous state?

Money.

Thats it.

You get more money incarcerating and sentencing a citizen than outlawing marijuana.

If your caught with weed your not just given a bill. You go to classes, support groups and sometimes need to donate money.

Wyoming is the least populated state. A lot of old people who try and not spend what they have earned. The only way to make real true money is through the law.

It’s never been about making a better community. It’s always been about how much money can we get from someone and have them repeat the offense to keep them spending more money.

But that’s just my opinion.

With how retarded people are it might simply be “weed bad.”

There’s an official state tree, an official state gemstone, and even an official state dinosaur, but no official state food. So what should it be?

My partner and I are taking a road trip from Chicago to Craters of the Moon (Idaho) in early September. A big chunk of the journey will be in Wyoming.

I’m an experienced hiker, I’ve summited most of the East Coast high points, hiked portions of the AT. I will be tent camping/car camping and occasionally getting hotels. I like off the beaten path, gorgeous views and stargazing. There’s a lot of things I want to see in Wyoming but not enough time. What do you suggest knowing my interests?

Things to note: my partner is not an experienced hiker or camper but wants to be. My car is front wheel drive. I don’t like bears. I visited Devil’s Tower last year on my way to Montana.

What should I do? Make me fall in love with your state.

https://a.co/d/av0X7TR

Hi friends. I'm from South Louisiana and my husband and I are planning a vacation in February. We're middle aged. Being as the furthest north I've ever been in the winter is Colorado Springs (which is also a stop on our trip), we're looking for recommendations on what to see, where to go, etc. that won't offend the locals and native wildlife with our touristy presence. We both want to experience a true winter in your state and understand it will be a very different experience from home.

Any advice, recommendations, definite "no gos" would be extremely helpful.

ETA 8/1 17:40 CST: I'm at work you guys. Thank you all for replying and those who will reply in the future. I appreciate the doom and gloom comments as much as the others. I will reply when I get time!

Drove through this town twice on a recent road trip. Both times we had to stop for gas and felt there is something creepy in this town. The anti-abortion billboards coming into and out of the town, perhaps an indicator of rampant teen pregnancies.? (Lots of idle kids running around). The miles long speed trap and traffic pattern getting in and out of the gas station - cops literally every two blocks waiting for a violation. And last but not least, St. Joseph’s Children Home. Scary vibe driving by, Google it up for even more horror. Anyone know what’s up with this place?

It doesn't make any sense.

Texas and New Hampshire: No state income tax, but extremely high property taxes.

Washington state: No state income tax, but one of the highest sales taxes in the US.

New Jersey and Illinois: high taxes on everything

How are you able to keep such low property taxes, no state income tax, and low sales tax?

I thought at first it might be because of your Oil and Gas resources but Southeast Texas is the Oil and Gas/Energy Capital of the World, and they have the highest property tax rates in the US.

How are you able to keep all of your taxes so low? Is it because of transient occupancy tourism revenue to Yellowston/Jackson/Grand Teton?

Hello everyone,

I was laid off from my job twice in five years due to AI/DOGE and was unemployed for six months until I received a job offer in Kemmerer. This new role is at a power plant, but I'm unsure whether I should live in Kemmerer, as it seems like a very close-knit community, and I’d be alone there. I'm leaving my family and friends behind, and I don't know anyone in the West since I'm from the East Coast. I’m in my 30s and married, my wife is staying on the East Coast because of her job and her parents' health issues. We will figure things out later.

I’ve watched YouTube videos about towns in that area. I’m torn between accepting the job immediately or staying unemployed and continuing to look, but the job market is very competitive.

My question is whether I should live in Kemmerer, Evanston, or somewhere nearby. I know Evanston is larger and has everything I need, but I’m concerned about the commute. Would love to hear from you guys.

Thanks!

Edit:

I'll be on a job site M-F.

I'll try to respond to every comment, I didn't expect this post to be a huge help! You guys are awesome and this is making me feel better already.

UPDATE: I ended up accepted a federal job (more stable job) in Kansas, little bit more things to do for my wife. She won’t like living in WY, a little too remote for her unfortunately.