Who remembers the lessons learned in the Schoolhouse Rock segment, “I’m Just a Bill?”. Believe it or not, it’s a fairly accurate representation of how bills become laws in the Indiana General Assembly.
As legislators near completion of committee hearings for the second-half of the 2018 Indiana General Assembly, there are a number of bills still moving forward that impact older adults and persons with disabilities, and their families and caregivers. Some of the promising proposals for which IAAAA has provided supportive testimony include:
- Updating Indiana’s POST law and establishing orders of priority in health care decision making. (HB 1119)
- Establishing a nursing faculty loan repayment grant program to alleviate provider shortages. (SB 28)
- Ensuring Medicaid pays hospice providers for services rendered. (SB 62)
- Ensuring appropriate and efficient levels of occupancy in nursing facilities. (SB 190)
- Ensuring consistent property tax assessment for non-profit affordable housing. (SB 213)
Additional resources you can use to track the action include the list of bills IAAAA is currently following and the Indiana General Assembly website for details on those bills. You can also check out IAAAA’s Public Policy Agenda to learn more about the issues on which we advocate.
Our top priority has been HB 1317, which creates greater transparency and due diligence in the designation of Area Agency on Aging service regions, clarifies eligible uses of the CHOICE program, and ensures the Indiana CHOICE Board has adequate notice and time to provide input on changes to the CHOICE program. Administered by Indiana’s Area Agency on Agencies (AAAs), CHOICE provides resources for qualified older adults and people with disabilities that help them live and age in their own homes with safety and dignity. We urge your support!
