STATEHOUSE (Sept. 28, 2023) – The Medicaid Oversight Committee will hold its first meeting Thursday to review all requests for new services and changes to the Medicaid program, according to State Rep. Hal Slager (R-Schererville).
The meeting will begin at 2:30 p.m. in Room 431 at the Statehouse in Indianapolis. Slager said this meeting will include an overview of the Medicaid program and updates from the Family and Social Services Administration on the Medicaid rate review, timeline, and implementation of managed long-term services and support.
"The Interim Medicaid Oversight Committee is taking a deep dive into the current Medicaid program and reviewing plans the FSSA has for the future," Slager said. "I look forward to discussing the issues and recommending possible solutions for the upcoming 2024 session."
The meeting will be livestreamed and archived online at iga.in.gov, where committee calendars and meeting agendas are also posted. Members of the public are welcome to attend and testify.
During the 2023 legislative session, Slager successfully passed legislation to ensure Northwest Indiana families will continue having access to children's hospitals in neighboring states. House Enrolled Act 1313 prevents local children who rely on Medicaid from being turned away for treatment at nearby out-of-state children's hospitals and forced to travel to Indianapolis instead. Previously, out-of-state hospitals treating Hoosier children received reimbursement through Indiana's Medicaid program at a much lower amount than an in-state hospital received for providing the same care.
Slager also authored a new in 2022 expanding Hoosiers' access to needed emergency medical services. Under the Medicaid program, emergency medical service's reimbursement rate had not increased since 1976. Slager said the reimbursement rate was too low and was making it difficult to hire qualified first responders, which negatively impacted ambulance response times to help Hoosiers. Slager's law raised the Medicaid reimbursement rate to match the federal Medicare rate, which better matches the cost providers are facing and ensures Hoosiers receive life-saving medical attention when they need it most.
The Interim Medicaid Oversight Committee is scheduled to host a second meeting later in the interim. The agenda, time and location will be posted closer to the meeting date. The task force's findings and any policy recommendations will be reported to the Indiana General Assembly, which could take further action.
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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.
