(Statehouse) – State senators have advanced a bill that could end up kicking roughly 300,000 Hoosiers off Medicaid.
The bill addresses what has amounted to a Medicaid funding shortfall in Indiana. Recent reports have found that Medicaid is underfunded to the tune of billions of dollars for Hoosiers throughout the state.
“Medicaid has grown by five billion dollars in the last four years,” said State Sen. Ryan Mishler (R-Mishawaka). “We’re spending more on Medicaid alone than the total percentage of our whole revenue.”
The bill put forth by Mishler would impose work requirements such as spend at least 20 hours per week either working, taking part in a work program, or volunteering. Exceptions are provided for people enrolled in a substance abuse treatment or rehabilitation program, parents or caretakers caring for children with serious medical disabilities.
It would also cap the number of people who can enroll in the Healthy Indiana Plan at 500,000. There are currently over 700,000 people in Indiana on HIP 2.0.
Mishler said the work requirement alone should bring HIP enrollment below 500,000.
“What the bill does is effectively ending Medicaid expansion in the state of Indiana as we know it today,” said State Sen. Faddy Qaddoura (D-Indianapolis). “Where is the data that shows 300,000 people do not need Medicaid services?”
Mishler said the changes to HIP under the bill wouldn’t mean people would be without any options. He said enrollees removed from HIP could enroll in a different program or use the federal health insurance exchange.
The bill passed the Senate on a party-line vote of 40-9 and now goes to the House.
(Story by Network Indiana)
