Indiana government nears the end of ACA discussions

The state of Indiana is almost finished debating the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and its insurance benefits. According to Indiana Public Media, both the House and the Senate are nearly done discussing ACA and almost ready to proceed with healthcare reform. 

In 2011, the state allowed negotiations through legislation known as the Healthy Indiana Plan. The HIP is a program that uses health savings accounts and private insurers to provide health insurance to low-income working adults. According to Indianapolis Business Journal, approximately 40,000 Indiana citizens currently use the program and are contributing at least a small amount into their health savings accounts. Although Governor Mike Pence stated since he took office that any ACA healthcare expansion must start with HIP and he ruled out expansion through the Medicaid program, some lawmakers have been hoping to expand the program.

Mitch Daniels and the state legislature created the HIP in 2007, and the Senate funded it with over half a billion dollars. 

"The leadership in the majority party in each house has indicated their support for the governor in his position," said House Speaker Brian Bosma. He also reported the legislature did not require any action from the governor.