Democratic Legislative Leaders Urge Gov. Holcomb to Immediately Share Health Care Data and Analyses With Congressional Vote on Health Care Looming

INDIANAPOLIS, July 12 -- The Indiana Senate Democrats issued the following news release:

Senate Democratic Leader Tim Lanane (D-Anderson) and House Minority Leader Scott Pelath (D-Michigan City) penned the following letter to Governor Eric Holcomb to formally request the release of any data or analyses his administration has commissioned regarding the impacts of federal health care policy changes on the state of Indiana.

July 12, 2017

The Honorable Eric Holcomb

Governor

Statehouse

200 W. Washington

Indianapolis, Indiana 46204

Governor Holcomb:

As we are sure you agree, the issue of health care is of paramount importance and interest to the citizens of Indiana. In the past several years, over 400,000 Hoosiers have gained coverage by way of the implementation of the Affordable Care Act through Indiana's HIP 2.0 program. Thousands have received treatment for substance abuse disorders and are on the path to recovery.

This summer, the Interim Study Committee on Public Health, Behavioral Health, and Human Services is tasked with studying any federal action on health care and the impact that legislation may have on Indiana. We are confident that your team is examining contingencies and evaluating the effects of changes in Washington. Because prudent decisions are more likely when parties have all the facts, we respectfully request that your administration equip the General Assembly with any relevant data and resources it has accumulated immediately. Lawmakers need access to this vital information today to make informed decisions tomorrow. As you are well aware, the potential adverse consequences to the HIP 2.0 program and private health insurance are significant and far-reaching.

Therefore, we ask your administration to expeditiously share with legislative leadership and all members of the Interim Study Committee on Public Health, Behavioral Health, and Human Services any and all research the state has compiled as it relates to the impact of federal health care legislation on: Indiana's Medicaid program; HIP 2.0; the marketplace exchange; and employer provided health insurance.

Recent analysis from the Congressional Budget Office shows the health care proposal under consideration by the United States Senate could jeopardize 22 million Americans' coverage, including 400,000 Hoosiers covered by HIP. In addition, estimates indicate that premiums for our older citizens may quintuple in comparison to younger applicants while insurance deductibles will rise as much as 20 percent. Beyond this, hospital leaders are already indicating that hundreds of thousands will end up in the emergency room for their care.

When it comes to critical decisions that impact the coverage and cost of care for hundreds of thousands, Hoosiers ultimately benefit when policymakers have the best available information. We call on your administration to exercise the highest level of transparency in this matter. The process is moving too rapidly and there's too much at stake to hold back information from lawmakers. Hoosiers expect reasonable answers to how bad it is, how much it is, and what we intend to do about it.

Thank you for your time and consideration and we look forward to your prompt response to this matter of vital public importance.

Sincerely,