Wyoming’s 988 suicide lifeline financially secure, even without fully funded trust, say lawmakers lawmakers

Funding for the 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline is as secure as funding for the Wyoming State Hospital or state retirement, according to Rep. Lloyd Larsen.
“The takeaway right now is that in our next biennial budget, the suicide hotline is funded and expanded to include chat and text,” the Lander Republican said.
But with lawmakers cutting allocations for a 988 trust fund from $40 million — an amount expected to fund 988 in perpetuity — to $10 million this budget session, how is that possible?
The answer is a mix of federal and state money.
For starters, there is enough money via federal dollars (including from the American Rescue Plan Act) to pay for 988 through July 2025. Beyond that, 988 will be supported with state general funds via the Wyoming Department of Health.