Indiana lawmakers missed an opportunity this session to address prior authorization in SB 3 and HB 1091, including how it may prevent people from receiving needed services in a timely manner. They also missed an opportunity to hear bills on Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) (HB 1059), discrimination in housing (HB 1087), Medicaid payments to nursing facilities (HB 1374), student mental health (SB 201 and SB 214), and healthcare debt (SB 276), among many other things. To see all the bills tracked by CKF that did NOT pass, click here.

In the nine weeks legislators were in session, they covered a lot. However, the 2025 session promises to be where BIG policy decisions are made; think changes to Medicaid, state income tax, education, etc. CKF is preparing for the 2025 session. Please contact Amy Chandler achandler@ckfindiana.org with questions, concerns, or interest in being involved.

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) issued a final rule Wednesday designed to simplify enrollment and renewal of coverage in Medicaid and Children’s Health Insurance Programs (CHIP).  The regulation removes annual and lifetime limits on children’s coverage along with mandating access to CHIP coverage regardless of whether a family is able to pay premiums. All waiting periods for CHIP coverage have been removed. The final rule goes into effect 60 days following publication in the Federal Register, approximately June 3, 2024. 

Specifics are detailed in the Outreach & Enrollment section below.

Covering Kids & Families of Indiana is excited to announce the Indiana School Health Network Conference will be FREE to attend this year. The conference will be held on June 4-5, 2024 at the Embassy Suites in Plainfield. In addition to no cost, pre-conference sessions have been added for June 3^rd. Up to 14 free continuing education credits will be offered for nursing, social work, certified health education specialists (CHES), and library professionals. General certificates of attendance will also be provided.

The Seeds of Hope: Growing a Strong Future for Hoosier Kids conference will encourage discussions and initiatives that highlight innovative approaches, community involvement, policy changes, and evolving opportunities. Keynotes include sessions on trauma-informed nutrition security, school-based Medicaid reimbursement, Indiana’s behavioral health strategic plan, and school culture and belonging.

On March 27^th, the Streamlining the Medicaid, Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP), and Basic Health Program Application, Eligibility Determination, Enrollment, and Renewal Processes final rule was announced. The goal is to remove red tape and barriers to enrollment, increase coverage and retention, and improve health equity.

Barriers to accessing health care coverage have implications – especially presenting challenges for children who need preventive and routine care for lifelong physical and social development, academic success, and overall health. According to KFF 9% of Hispanic children and 7% of Black children lacked a usual source of care when sick compared to 4% of White children in 2021. KFF also found the rates of chronic diseases like asthma were more common in children that belong to minority groups, with Black children nearly twice as likely to have asthma as White children (17% vs 9%), which could be managed with access to routine care.

The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) recently released detailed data from the last Marketplace Open Enrollment. Also, the Office of Health Policy of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation (ASPE) released an Issue Brief on March 22, 2024 sharing the impact of the Affordable Care Act. During the last Marketplace Open Enrollment, 295,772 Hoosiers selected a Marketplace plan and 282,000 effectuated enrollment (made their first payment as of February 2024). The Brief also states that the uninsured rate in Indiana fell from 14% in 2013 to 7% in 2022.

Download these resources or order copies on the Tribal Products Ordering page.

This toolkit provides an evidence-informed, innovative, action-oriented process for public health organizations, their partners, and communities to use transformative learning as a driver for systems change.

Indiana American Academy of Pediatrics (INAAP) is supporting schools around youth vaping/tobacco cessation efforts by hosting two free trainings on A.C.T. Now: Youth Tobacco Cessation Training for Schools – one on April 10^th and another on April 11^th. These trainings are ideal for school health personnel, such as school nurses and school counselors. 

The training is on April 3, 2024 at 12 noon. Register here.

Covering Kids & Families is proud to be a Gold Sponsor of the 2024 Indiana Summit on Out-of-School Learning hosted by the Indiana Afterschool Network! The Summit takes place April 14-16, 2024 at the Hyatt Regency in the heart of downtown Indianapolis. This conference brings together youth programs, advocates, and partners from around the state for professional development, networking, inspiration, and more. Covering Kids & Families will be presenting Medicaid Today: What’s Changed, What’s the Same and How You Can Help. Registration closes on April 8^th. 

The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services’ (CMS) second annual Health Equity Conference is scheduled for May 29-30, 2024. Attendees will hear from CMS leadership, learn about the latest health equity research, as well as promising practices and community engagement strategies. Registration is free and both in-person and virtual options are available. Learn more here.