INDIANAPOLIS — The Senate Appropriations Committee met for the final time before crossover, reviewing several key bills, including Senate Bill 2 (SB 2), Medicaid Matters. 

State Sen. David Niezgodski (D-South Bend), Ranking Minority Member of the committee, voiced ongoing concerns and raised questions about the amended bill. 

“SB 2 has come a long way from its original draft, but there is still more work to do,” Niezgodski said. “Dropping the limitation of 36-month coverage for pregnant women is a significant step in ensuring they receive the care they need for themselves and their babies. Maternal and infant health in Indiana is at an all-time low, and expanding coverage will help improve outcomes for families.” 

However, the bill still includes a cap limiting the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) to 500,000 members, potentially leaving more than 200,000 Hoosiers without healthcare. 

“After committee, I am left with more questions about the cap,” Niezgodski said. “Before COVID, our enrollment was around 400,000 members, but now it has surpassed 700,000. I want to understand why these numbers have grown and if there are other programs these individuals can transition to at no further cost to the individual since they received coverage at some point before.” 

Further, the amendment follows Gov. Braun’s executive order prohibiting Medicaid program marketing. In combination with the membership cap, eligible Hoosiers need assistance to understand their options. 

“Advertising is one way Medicaid informs Hoosiers about available programs,” Niezgodski said. “Prohibiting this marketing will leave many unaware of the help they could receive. I want to learn more about the assistance that will continue to be provided to ensure Hoosiers can access the support they need.” 

Additionally, the bill maintains a 20-hour work activity requirement for eligibility, despite concerns raised by committee members. This includes employment, volunteer work, and various exemptions. 

“I’ve spent countless hours volunteering at food banks, hearing firsthand from people facing barriers to employment,” Niezgodski said. “Many would qualify for HIP, but a work requirement isn’t feasible for them. We can’t fully understand every Hoosier’s challenges, so imposing this requirement across the board may not be the right approach. I also want to learn more about the types of work-related activities available, such as volunteering, and ensure that opportunities exist for able-bodied Hoosiers to fulfill this requirement without undue burden.” 

Despite concerns, Niezgodski remains hopeful for bipartisan cooperation to improve the bill. 

“This is not the end of the road,” Niezgodski said. “We still have multiple opportunities to amend it during the Second Reading and discuss it further on Third Reading before it advances to the House of Representatives for final review and approval by the Senate at the end of April.” 

SB 2 passed out of committee with a vote of 9-4 and now moves to the Senate floor for Second Reading.