STATEHOUSE (Feb. 2, 2026) – State Rep. Hal Slager (R-Schererville) recently visited La Rabida Children’s Hospital in Chicago to discuss Medicaid reimbursement for Hoosier children.
La Rabida Children's Hospital provides long-term care for children with medically complex conditions, chronic illnesses and developmental disabilities regardless of their family's ability to pay. Most of their patients are covered by Medicaid.
Since a law Slager authored was passed in 2021 allowing for similar reimbursement to pediatric hospitals in neighboring states as what would be paid in Indiana, La Rabida has started to realize an increase in Hoosier patients, prompting them to examine their reimbursement from Indiana Medicaid. This January Indiana Medicaid hosted La Rabida officials in Indianapolis to review billing methods and procedures that are likely different than Illinois Medicaid in an effort to streamline the process.
“La Rabida is unique in that it takes in children from other partnering children’s hospitals who need longer recovery in a facility that can handle complex needs," Slager said. "La Rabida can do this at a much lower cost and it’s right in our back yard on the shores of Lake Michigan."
Through Slager's law, families in the far corners of the state can receive the care they need without having to travel to Indianapolis for similar treatment. The reimbursement was then extended in 2023 and again in 2025.
To learn more and follow legislative proceedings, visit iga.in.gov.
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State Rep. Hal Slager (R-Schererville) represents House District 15,
which includes a portion of Lake County.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
