Legislative Updates

from Indiana Assn of United Ways: Healthcare advocacy action alert On Monday, September 25th at 2:00pmET the Senate Finance Committee will hold a hearing about the Graham-Cassidy proposal to reform healthcare coverage. The proposal puts Indiana at risk of losing $7 billion in health funding between 2020-2027 which places a large burden on the state to meet the funding gap.  More than 400,000 Hoosiers currently have healthcare coverage though our HIP 2.0 Medicaid expansion program, and we don't want to see individuals and families lose coverage that United Ways in Indiana fought with many partners to establish. This is an opportune time for United Way and community partners to fight for the health of every person in every community. Join us in urging leaders of the Senate Finance Committee to not make any changes that impact the affordability or accessibility of healthcare coverage. Resources for more information on the Graham-Cassidy proposal: Indiana Business Journal, Indiana Health Leaders Brace for Possible Obamacare Repeal Avalere Health, Graham-Cassidy-Heller-Johnson Bill Would Reduce Federal Funding to States by $215 Billion Kaiser Family Foundation, Compare Proposals to Replace the Affordable Care Act Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Like Other ACA Repeal Bills, Cassidy-Graham plan Would Add Millions to Uninsured, Destabilize Individual Market Weigh in on the proposal by reaching out to Senator Young (202-224-5623) and Senator Donnelly (202-224-4814).  Watch the hearing Monday.

Indiana Coalition for Human Services and Children's Coalition of Indiana team up to offer fall learning opportunities ICHS and CCI have partnered to host fall learning opportunities in Indianapolis.  The sessions are open to members and guests free of charge.  The meetings will cover a variety of topics throughout October and November.  Register now to attend sessions that interest you and view the flyer for additional event details. Tuesday, October 10: Child Services Update presented by Cathy Graham of Indiana Association of Resources and Child Advocacy.  Tuesday, October 17: Update on Fair Housing and Combating Hate presented by Amy Nelson of Fair Housing Center of Central Indiana and the Central IN Alliance Against Hate project.  Tuesday, October 24: Gun Violence and Suicide Prevention presented by Beth Sprunger of Moms Demand Action and Mindi Goodpaster of MCCOY.  Tuesday, November 14:  New Census Data and the Wage and Wealth Gap in Indiana presented by Andrew Bradley and Erin Macey of the Indiana Institute for Working Families.  Tuesday, November 28:  Home Rule presented by Justin Schneider of Indiana Farm Bureau.

Legislative Study Committees During the legislative session many interim study committee topics are recommended by the General Assembly.  The meetings allow experts in the field and state agencies to share information about the current state of issues in Indiana in preparation for the next legislative session.  In late May, the Legislative Council announced the topics to be studied in the interim before the 2018 session.   View the House and Senate interim study committee assignments. Check the interim committee calendar for updates. A sample of current meetings on the calendar include: Courts and the Judiciary - October 5 on requests for new courts or judicial officers Education - September 28 on new teacher inductions, October 18 Fiscal Policy - September 25 on neighborhood enhancement property tax relief program, TIF issues and uniform property tax assessment of nonprofit entities; October 2 on school district financial analysis and annual tax incentive evaluation Government - October 4 Joint Cmte on Judiciary and Public Policy - October 12 continued discussion on previous topics and increasing the number of law enforcement officers employed by local government units Public Health, Behavioral Health and Human Services - September 28 on the shortage of healthcare providers in Indiana and an update on the INSPECT program, October 26discussion on changes needed in state law and policy to respond to federal healthcare changes

Consider participating in Voter Registration Day September 26 National Voter Registration Day is the largest one-day effort of the year to register voters. With 2,000 community and online partners, and over 10,000 volunteers working in a massive, single-day event, National Voter Registration Day (NVRD) will be celebrated on September 26, 2017.  Over 1.4 million voters have registered or updated their registration as a result of National Voter Registration Day events since 2012.   Sign up as a partner organization or use the communications toolkit to share and promote NVRD on social media.

Weigh in on issues important to you! Submitting comments during rulemaking periods is an important way to shape policy.  State and federal agencies appreciate specific comments about possible impacts and ways to improve proposed rules.  Below are a few open comment periods in Indiana. Department of Education  is seeking public comment on its request for a waiver on the number of students who can be tested using an alternate assessment on annual statewide Indiana Standards Tool for Alternate Reporting (ISTAR) tests.  Learn moreand submit comments before the September 29 deadline.