STATEHOUSE (March 28, 2023) – The Indiana Senate on Tuesday voted in support of State Rep. Hal Slager's (R-Schererville) legislation ensuring Indiana's Medicaid-covered children continue receiving high-quality pediatric care close to home, sending the legislation to the governor where it could be signed into law.
Slager said his bill would prevent Northwest Indiana 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.
"This measure is about removing the emotional, physical and monetary tolls on families as they travel to get their child to treatment," Slager said. "Since 2021, I've worked to ensure low-income families can get their children treated locally. With this legislation, which I hope will be signed into law in the coming days, we can continue making a difference in the lives of Hoosier kids."
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. This meant some Region children had to travel to Indianapolis to receive treatment. In 2021, Slager successfully authored a new law to increase the reimbursement rates for out-of-state hospitals, which addressed the issue, but the state funding will expire on July 1.
Slager said the funding expiration date was put in place because the state wanted to determine the overall costs incurred by increasing reimbursement rates before continuing the funding. House Enrolled Act 1313 would simply extend the expiration date for another two years.
To follow legislation considered for new laws by the governor, visit in.gov/gov/newsroom/2023-bill-watch/.
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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.
