Lanane shocked, Pence refuses to seek federal preschool funds

Senate Democratic Leader Tim Lanane (D-Anderson) released the following statement following reports of the governor’s last minute decision to forgo $80 million in funding towards early learning for Hoosier children.

“I am shocked by this decision. As a strong proponent of early childhood education and the bipartisan efforts, both private and public, to move Indiana ahead last session on this matter. The idea that we would, at this point, abruptly throw this opportunity away is hard to fathom.

“The Governor owes those of us who have labored hard to get our state on board and see the benefits of early childhood education more than just a statement. It seems imprudent that we reject $80 million because of fear of some speculative “pitfalls” and “unproven objectives” perceived attached to them. I fear this is a setback for the advancement of the welfare of the children of our state that we know will be improved by Indiana moving swiftly to implement early childhood education.

“It was assumed all along that obtaining these development grant dollars would be a real achievement for Indiana in moving early childhood education forward.  For the Governor to totally reverse course now calls for a complete explanation of why and exactly how he plans to replace such funding.”

Final Reports from 2014 Indiana Interim Study Committees

Throughout the summer and fall when the Indiana General Assembly is not in session, lawmakers convene interim committees and commissions to conduct in-depth research and analysis on complex issues facing the state. The recommendations of the committees are likely to become bills when the next legislative session begins in January.  Below are the final recommendations from several interim study committees. This list will be updated as new recommendations are released.

Wednesday, October 22, 2014

Interim Study Committee on Education

This morning was the final meeting for the Interim Study Committee on Education. The legislators voted to approve their recommendations to the Indiana General Assembly for the 2015 session, adjourning after making final considerations.

Under IC 2-5-1.3-4, the committee was to (1) study the issue of student discipline and the suspension, expulsion, or exclusion of a student from school; (2) examine the issue relating to prekindergarten and early learning; and (3) examine the need for an Early College High School program.

Today’s meeting heard testimony from several witnesses on the need for an Early College High School program. Most testified of the advantages and positive outcomes that Early College High School programs bring to students in Hoosier school corporations who are already taking initiative on such programs.

After the September 16 and October 6 meetings, the committee recognized there is an issue with the reporting of discipline data and recommended additional reporting standards. The committee also recommended finding alternatives to expulsion and suspension for truancy.

While reviewing testimony on pre-kindergarten and early learning, the committee found that the Early Learning Advisory Committee (ELAC) and Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) are adequately preparing to implement Indiana’s early learning pilot program.

More details of the committee findings and recommendations can be found on the Indiana General Assembly website.

Health insurance Marketplace open enrollment information

Starting November 15, the open enrollment period for the health insurance Marketplace will begin for Hoosiers that wish to compare and purchase health coverage. As part of the Affordable Care Act, the Marketplace aims to offer health insurance to Hoosiers without employer-provided coverage and will offer financial assistance to help many people afford coverage.  A number of plans will be offered in varying levels of coverage, however all plans will cover essential benefits like preventative care, prescription drugs and other care.

Log on to HEALTHCARE.GOV or call toll-free (800) 318-2596 and get started today.

Who’s eligible?

To utilize the Marketplace, Hoosiers must meet certain requirements. To be eligible, a person must reside in Indiana, be a U.S. citizen, national or non-citizen who is lawfully present for the entire enrollment period, and not be incarcerated.

What kind of coverage?

The coverage options available to Hoosiers will vary depending on benefits and the amount an enrollee pays towards a plan but must all cover a number of key benefits. Those essential benefits include:

• 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
• Preventative and wellness services and chronic disease management
• Pediatric services, including oral and vision care

Hoosiers purchasing insurance cannot be denied coverage as the result of a preexisting condition. Plans will be offered in four levels – bronze, silver, gold and platinum and vary in the average amount enrollees will pay toward coverage.

Young adults under 30 years old are eligible for catastrophic coverage, a lower cost alternative for those seeking health insurance. Catastrophic plans have higher deductibles but lower premiums and cover primary care visits and preventative services with no out-of-pocket costs.

Can I afford health insurance?

Covering more Hoosiers means less use of the emergency room as a primary care provider and a reduction in uncompensated care, a practice that cost Indiana hospitals nearly $3 billion in 2011. To make coverage affordable for more Hoosiers, premium tax credits will be widely available to help offset the cost of insurance.

Tax credit eligibility is dependent on income; those making between 100 percent and 400 percent of the federal poverty line are eligible for assistance on a sliding scale. Hoosiers making lower incomes are eligible for a higher offset.

Important dates:

Beginning in early November, you will be able to preview 2015 Marketplace plans and estimated prices before you fill out an application.

Hoosiers can begin shopping for and purchasing coverage on November 15. The open enrollment period for health insurance purchased on the marketplace runs from November 15 through February 15, 2015. December 15 is the last date to enroll for coverage to begin on January 1, 2015. December 31 marks the day that 2014 Marketplace coverage ends, no matter when you enrolled.

If you had Marketplace coverage in 2014, you will need to renew your Marketplace plan or change plans starting on November 15.

Where can I get assistance navigating the Marketplace?

Online, over-the-phone and in-person assistance is available for Hoosiers with questions while shopping for coverage on the marketplace.

Over-the-phone support:

Hoosiers will be connected with experts who can help guide the decision-making process and answer questions. Toll-free over-the-phone assistance is also available 24 hours, seven days a week at (800) 318-2596. Call to start or finish an application, compare plans, enroll or ask a question.

In-person:

To simplify the application process and provide guidance for those applying for coverage, Hoosiers can turn to a number of in-person assistance options. Federally, four organizations have been awarded grants to assist Hoosiers through the application process.

Find federally certified navigators and organizations ready to help you get enrolled>>

The state will also certify individuals or ‘navigators’ to assist Hoosiers with applications and Marketplace enrollment at no cost. Both federal and state navigators can help with enrollment, search both lists for assistance close to your community.

Find state certified navigators and get help enrolling in your area>>

Covering small businesses:

The Small Business Health Options Program (SHOP) is a parallel online marketplace where small business owners can compare and purchase plans for their companies. Eligible small businesses will have access to tax credits to help make coverage affordable. The state’s actuary estimates nearly 50,000 Hoosiers could be enrolled through SHOP by 2017. Find application information at HEALTHCARE.GOV or call (800) 706-7893. Over-the-phone SHOP assistance is available Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. EST.

LANANE: Indiana finally on the right side of history

INDIANAPOLIS—Today, the United States Supreme Court denied review of the 7^th Circuit decision holding that Indiana’s same-sex marriage ban is unconstitutional.  This denial automatically lifts the stay on the 7^th Circuit decision and has the effect of invalidating Indiana’s same-sex marriage ban, as a violation of the equal protection clause of the Constitution. Senate Democratic Leader Tim Lanane (D-Anderson) issued the following statement:

“At long last, Indiana is on the right side of history and able to more permanently ensure equal marriage for Hoosiers and their families.

“I am proud to have stood with my democratic colleagues in support of marriage equality and I extend my best wishes to those who will now be able to make the commitment denied to them for so long.

“It is now clear we should no longer pursue this ill-conceived idea of inserting prejudice into our constitution and concentrate on what Hoosiers expect from us; job creation, strengthening public education and the health and safety of our citizens.”