Indiana Family to Family

Family Voices Indiana shares the following opportunity to learn more about the ACA: Together with the Alliance for Health Reform, the Kaiser Family Foundation presented an April 26 briefing, ACA 101: What You Need to Know. Especially helpful to audiences with limited knowledge of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA), this briefing is a useful review for anyone struggling to understand the complex changes scheduled to take effect in 2014. An expert panel addressed these and other issues: Jennifer Tolbert, director of state health reform at the Kaiser Family Foundation, provided an overview of the provisions in the health law Michael Hash, director of the HHS Office of Health Reform, discussed the parts of the law that have been implemented to date, and what is coming in 2014 and beyond. Janet Trautwein, CEO of the National Association of Health Underwriters, addressed the requirements for employers in the law Sabrina Corlette, research professor and project d

By Emily McKinley, Health Information Specialist As the full implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) draws nearer (January 2014), final rules and regulations are being issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). In February, the final rule on Essential Health Benefits (EHB) was issued. Before we discuss the details of that rule, let’s review. One of the most important provisions of the ACA is the inclusion of EHB. These are categories of benefits and services that insurance plans must include. There are ten categories of essential health benefits, they are: Ambulatory patient services Emergency services Hospitalization Maternity and newborn care Mental health and substance use disorder services, including behavioral health treatment Prescription drugs Rehabilitative and habilitative services and devices Laboratory services Preventive and wellness services and chronic disease management Pediatric services, including oral and vision care

Automatic cuts known as the “sequester” continue to take effect. Members of Congress want to know how these cuts have affected their state and districts. Share your story with your representative so they hear the family voice. Call your Members of Congress at 202-224-3121   and ask to be connected to your Representatives and Senators. Or use this tool to identify them and/or contact them: http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml If your family is struggling, contact us for resources for your child with special health care needs: 317 944 8982 info@fvindiana.org Impacts on Indiana According to the White House, the following are some of the effects the Sequester will have in Indiana: See the full Indiana fact-sheet ·          Teachers and Schools:  Indiana will lose approximately $13.8 million in funding for primary and secondary education, putting around 190 teacher and aide jobs at risk. In addition about 12,000 fewer students would be served and approximately 50 fewer

Family Voices Indiana remembers Nanette Whightsel Family Voices Indiana, fellow advocates, family and friends mourn the passing of Nanette Whightsel.  While leading a project of The Arc of Indiana, the Arc Network, Nanette, as a staunch advocate for the rights and supports of people with disabilities lit a passion a group of advocates that continues to this day, many of whom are a part of Family Voices Indiana.  We honor her memory by carrying on her work that has benefited countless persons with disabilities and their families.  Our sincere condolences to her family. On a personal note, my life was forever changed through a world that was opened to me through Nanette's guidance.  A world in which one could have a voice that when combined with others created more than the sum of its parts.  She will be missed.  ~  Kerry Bonney, health information specialist, Family Voices Indiana Nanette's daughter has invited anyone who knew Nanette to celebrate her life today