While it is true that we are the busiest in the General Assembly during session, our work does not end there. During the summer, we are appointed to study committees that address specific topics and particular issues, many of which will become proposed legislation for the next year. Every year after the legislative session is complete, the Legislative Council meets to assign topics to the summer study committees and representatives are appointed to committees by the Speaker. The committees often begin meeting in July and have completed their work by October. I am pleased to announce that I have been appointed this interim to the Health Finance Commission, the Select Joint Commission on Medicaid Oversight, and the Council on Evansville State Hospitals. These summer study committees are a very important part of the legislative process. Even though session is adjourned for 2011, we will be continuing our duties by studying various topics assigned to our committees. Interim committees with specific expertise will receive public testimony and work out the details of proposed legislation before it is introduced in the 2012 session. There are a wide range of issues and topics studied and discussed in the summer study committees. However, of those that I am a member of, we will discuss the following matters. In the Health Finance Commission we will study the ways that health care services are paid for and delivered, as well as long-term care. The Select Joint Commission on Medicaid Oversight will ensure that contractors in Indiana who provide Medicaid services are doing so properly, and we will also study ways to streamline Medicaid processes. Finally, in the Council on Evansville State Hospitals, we will study and discuss the mental and health addiction services available to children in the Evansville area; specifically at the Evansville Psychiatric Children's Center. As vice chair of the House Ways and Means committee I was able to insert language into the budget that created this commission to study these services. The summer study committees give us time to either look deeper into issues that came up last session or give us a head start on important topics that need attention next session. I look forward to finding solutions that better our community and will be sure to let you know what progress has been made later in the summer. If you would like more information about the specific issues the summer study committees will be addressing you may visit: www.in.gov/legislative/house_republicans/ If you have questions or concerns please feel free to contact me at H78@in.gov or 317-232-9769. Thank you for your continued support. Have a happy and healthy Fourth of July!
-30- State Rep. Suzanne Crouch (R-Evansville) |
