INDIANAPOLIS – Members of the Indiana Senate Democratic Caucus today held a press conference at the Statehouse to warn against the dangerous consequences of Governor Braun’s health care-related executive orders and the Republican supermajority’s Senate Bill 2 (SB 2). Senate Minority Leader Shelli Yoder (D-Bloomington), highlighted the devastating impact these policies would have on Hoosier families, their futures and their freedoms.

“Health care should be about keeping people safe, healthy and supported—but what we’re seeing from Governor Braun and the Republican supermajority is the exact opposite,” said Yoder, who also serves as Ranking Minority Member of the Senate Health and Provider Services Committee. “Their executive orders, compounded with SB 2, threaten to dismantle the very lifelines Hoosiers depend on to survive. These policies don’t make health care better or more affordable —they create barriers for the very people who need help the most.”

Yoder was joined by fellow senators on the Health and Provider Services Committee and Appropriations Committee to discuss the broad implications of these policies, which they described as an unprecedented rollback of health care access in Indiana.

Governor Braun’s executive orders halt Medicaid advertising to keep Hoosiers from knowing they’re eligible for insurance coverage, impose burdensome eligibility checks to a system already verifying eligibility and require the publicizing of medical Termination of Pregnancy Reports (TPRs) in an attempt to shame those who receive this necessary healthcare. SB 2, which is advancing through the legislature, arbitrarily proposes capping the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) enrollment at 500,000 people, well below the current 692,000 enrollees, and imposes a lifetime eligibility limit of just 36 months.

“SB 2 isn’t just another policy proposal—it’s a catastrophic threat to families, seniors and vulnerable Hoosiers,” said Yoder. “It will strip health care away from nearly 200,000 people overnight and impose punitive limits on those who need it most, including those managing chronic illnesses.”

Highlighting Hoosier Struggles 

The press conference underscored the already dire state of access to critical services in Indiana:

  • Medicaid Waiver Waitlists: More than 13,600 Hoosiers are waiting for disability and long-term care services, some for over a decade.

  • Child Care Subsidies: Parents face 2-3 year waitlists for assistance, leaving many unable to work or forced to rely on unsafe care options.

  • Autism Therapy Delays: Families endure wait times of up to two years for Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) therapy, depriving children of early intervention that could transform their lives.

“These waitlists are not just a symptom of inefficiency—they’re state-sanctioned neglect,” Yoder said. “SB 2 will only add to these backlogs, pushing more families into crisis. Hoosiers deserve better.”

A Call to Action: Families, Futures and Freedoms 

Senate Democrats outlined an alternative path forward, prioritizing health care, housing and education to build a stronger Indiana:

  • Redirect Corporate Subsidies: Reallocate 10% of the Indiana Economic Development Corporation’s budget to eliminate Medicaid waitlists, expand child care subsidies and increase access to affordable housing.

  • Legalize Marijuana: If SB 113 is enacted, the legalization of cannabis could generate $46.6 million to $92.6 million in revenue by 2026 and $50.8 million to $101.7 million by 2027. These funds could be used to support health programs, addiction recovery services and public education—addressing critical gaps in Indiana’s public health infrastructure.

  • Raise the Cigarette Tax: Increasing the tax to $2.50 per pack would generate $300 million annually to expand Medicaid and fund maternal health and mental health initiatives.

  • Cap Medical Debt: Protect Hoosiers from medical debt by capping payments at 5% of income and eliminating predatory collection practices by passing SB 317.

A Defining Moment for Indiana 

“Health care is not just a human right—it’s the backbone of a thriving and innovative Indiana,” said Yoder. “When Hoosiers have access to the care they need, they can excel in school, contribute meaningfully to the workforce and drive economic growth in their communities. A healthy citizenry fuels better learning outcomes, attracts business investment and fosters a workforce that is resilient and ready to meet the challenges of tomorrow. On the other hand, cutting access to care will burden families and businesses alike, as hospitals shift the costs of uncompensated care to insured Hoosiers through higher premiums. Investing in health care is not just the moral choice—it’s the smart choice for Indiana’s future.”

Yoder also highlighted the hidden costs of denying access to care. “When families lose access to health coverage, they don’t stop needing care—they just get it in the most expensive and least effective way, like emergency rooms. This approach raises costs for everyone and weakens our healthcare system overall. Expanding healthcare isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s the fiscally responsible thing to do.”

“This is Indiana’s defining moment,” Yoder said. “The choices we make today will shape the future of our state and the freedoms of the people who call it home. We serve Hoosier and Hoosiers deserve leaders who listen, who care and who act. Together, we can build a stronger, healthier Indiana—one that puts people first.”