Indiana Senate Bill Limits Medicaid and HIP Enrollment

The Indiana Senate passed a bill imposing restrictions on Medicaid, limiting the number of Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) users and introducing work requirements for able-bodied adults without children. Authored by Sen. Ryan Mishler, the bill aims to address the rapid growth in Medicaid expenses, which have significantly outpaced revenue growth. The bill caps HIP enrollment at 500,000, requires at least 20 hours of work or volunteer work, and prohibits advertising Medicaid services. Critics, including Senate Democrats, argue the measure could eliminate coverage for many Hoosiers and effectively ends Medicaid expansion in Indiana. The legislation, passed 40-9 along party lines, now awaits consideration by the House. In parallel, a Senate Concurrent Resolution encouraging healthier lifestyle policies in Indiana also advanced to the House, highlighting a legislative focus on public health improvements.