STATEHOUSE (June 19, 2025) – Gov. Mike Braun recently ceremonially signed new health care laws authored and sponsored by State Rep. Julie McGuire (R-Indianapolis) to encourage patients to shop for more cost-effective treatment, strengthen transparency in health care provider ownership and ensure Hoosiers have access to affordable prescriptions.
"Like with so many other essential goods and services, Indiana has experienced rising costs for health care," McGuire said. "This session, I worked on legislation that helps Hoosiers shop for medical services while ensuring providers and pharmacy benefit managers are putting patients before profit."
McGuire said it's become more common for patients to pay for medical treatment with cash, but these direct payments often don't count toward a person's annual health insurance deductible or out-of-pocket maximum costs. House Enrolled Act 1604 requires insurance companies to apply cash payments for health services to an individual's annual policy deductible and out-of-pocket maximum costs, ensuring those who seek more affordable care options are not penalized while also encouraging providers to make their prices competitive.
With high consolidation between Indiana's health care entities contributing to rising costs, House Enrolled Act 1666 requires these providers to disclose ownership details to specific state agencies. McGuire said this will make it easier to find and address potential conflicts of interest such as financial incentives that could impact patient care and uncover hidden ownership structures that can facilitate fraud, overbilling or other unethical practices.
Additionally, McGuire sponsored Senate Enrolled Act 140, which requires pharmacy benefit managers to ensure their networks are reasonably accessible to patients, including that there is at least one pharmacy located within 30 miles of a patient's home. The law also prohibits PBMs from discriminating against pharmacies that sell cheaper alternatives or disclose such information to patients, requiring patients to use one of their affiliates and imposing limits like prescription refills that are stricter than for an in-network pharmacy.
To learn more about these and other new laws signed by the governor, click here.
-30-
State Rep. Julie McGuire (R-Indianapolis) represents House District 93,
which includes a portion of Marion County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
PHOTO CAPTION: Gov. Mike Braun (seated) ceremonially signs into law State Rep. Julie McGuire's (R-Indianapolis) (third from left) bill to require health care providers to disclose ownership details for better transparency on Wednesday, June 18, 2025, at the Statehouse. Other lawmakers pictured are State Rep. Martin Carbaugh (R-Fort Wayne) (second from left), bill co-sponsor State Sen. Ed Charbonneau (sixth from left), bill sponsor State Sen. Tyler Johnson (R-Leo) (fourth from right), bill co-author State Rep. Lori Goss-Reaves (R-Marion) (third from right) and bill co-author State Rep. Robin Shackleford (D-Indianapolis) (second from right).
