CHEYENNE, WYO –Eighty years ago, a small but determined group of Wyoming women had a vision – to ensure that families and neighbors had access to affordable health care in a time of great uncertainty. The Wyoming Farm Bureau ladies had witnessed the hardships of the Great Depression firsthand, watching loved ones struggle to pay for critical hospital and doctor bills. But they also heard about an innovative new concept – health insurance – that was beginning to take shape across the country.
With determination and a pioneering spirit, they set their sights on bringing this idea to Wyoming. They reached out to C.N. Bell, a Cheyenne insurance man and secretary of the Laramie County Farm Bureau, to see what it would take to start a Blue Cross plan right here in the Cowboy State. Bell took their idea to the national Blue Cross Association in Chicago, only to be told that Wyoming was too small to support its own plan.
Wyoming has never been one to back down from a challenge. Undeterred, Bell and his Farm Bureau colleagues pressed forward. In 1945, with just a $5,000 non-interest-bearing-loan – the smallest amount ever used to launch a Blue Cross plan – the Wyoming Hospital Service was born. What started as a bold experiment quickly became a lifeline for thousands of families that continues today.
A Legacy of Trusted Care
Over the decades, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Wyoming (BCBSWY) has grown alongside the communities it serves. From its modest beginning, BCBSWY has become a trusted name in health insurance for more than 100,000 members across the state. Wyoming’s unique geography – a vast landscape with a small, spread-out population – has presented challenges in delivering care, but BCBSWY has always found ways to adapt, ensuring that individuals and businesses alike have access to comprehensive health coverage.
“For 80 years, we have remained committed to the values that started it all – providing quality, affordable health care coverage to Wyoming,” said Diane Gore, CEO of BCBSWY. “We’re proud of our history, but even more excited for our future. As we celebrate this milestone, we are reminded that our mission is not just about insurance; it’s about people, communities, and making Wyoming healthier for generations to come.
Celebrating the Future with the Spirit of the West
In honor of this incredible milestone, BCBSWY will host celebrations across the state that reflects its roots—one filled with the spirit of the West, the resilience of its founders, and a nod to the cowboy boots that have walked this journey.
“We started as a small group of determined people who believed in helping one another,” said Kris Urbanek, an Executive Vice President at BCBSWY. “That spirit is still at the heart of what we do today. We’re not just in the business of insurance – we are in the business of helping people live healthier, happier lives.”
Looking ahead, BCBSWY remains dedicated to enhancing health care access, offering digital health insurance tools, and continuing its role as a trusted health partner. With a solid foundation built on integrity, compassion, and trust, the company is ready to take on the next 80 years with the same unwavering commitment.
What began as a bold idea in 1945 has become an 80-year-old legacy of trusted care, integrity, and compassion. And just like a well-worn pair of cowboy boots, BCBSWY has stood the test of time – reliable, enduring, and always ready for the next step.