7/15 Torchbearer Weekly Policy Update
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- Democrat Delegates Nominate Destiny Wells for Attorney General
- Breaking Down Budgets: Why Medicaid Expenses Are Growing
- ENTEK Gets Conditional $1.2 Billion U.S. Loan for EV Battery Separator Plant
- Rush to Seek Retention, Indiana Chief Justice Post
- Young, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Create Foundation to Support U.S. Leadership in Emerging Technology
- Preliminary Report Shows 2,400 Early Education Jobs Go Unfilled in Indiana Each Year
- FSSA Seeks Stay in Healthy Indiana Plan Case; Says Ruling Threatens Coverage and Funding
- Ascend Indiana Awards $700k for Pilot Youth Apprenticeship Programs
- Share the Torchbearer Newsletter with Your Network!
- Important Dates
Let’s dive in.
Democrat Delegates Nominate Destiny Wells for Attorney General
Destiny Wells emerged as the chosen Democratic nominee for attorney general in a 1,067-475 vote, while Terry Goodin is nominated for lieutenant governor.
Why it matters: Hoosier Democrats are shifting towards younger candidates, signaling a new direction for the party.
The big picture: Democrats face tough odds in the November general election, as Republicans have won statewide races in the last 12 years.
What's next: Wells will face Republican nominee Todd Rokita in November, while Goodin will run alongside Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jennifer McCormick.
The bottom line: The chosen nominees represent a changing landscape in Hoosier politics, with a focus on defeating the Republican incumbents. (Indiana Capital Chronicle)
Breaking Down Budgets: Why Medicaid Expenses Are Growing
Medicaid's growth in Indiana has been a topic of concern, with the state's General Assembly set to review the program's budget. Enrollees worry about the program's rules, communication issues, and the fear of losing coverage. The state's high healthcare costs also contribute to Medicaid's expenses.
Why it matters: The ongoing growth and funding challenges of Medicaid have implications for the overall healthcare system and the state's budget.
The big picture: Medicaid's growth reflects a national trend, driven by aging and unhealthy populations. Indiana's Medicaid expenditure growth per enrollee is below the national average, but spending on adults and expansion adults stands out. Long-term services and supports, a major Medicaid expense, contribute to cost differences. The state has some control over program design and eligibility, but certain changes require federal approval.
The bottom line: Medicaid's future in Indiana is uncertain, with funding challenges, increasing retirement-age population, and fluctuating rules. The state needs to address rising healthcare costs and improve public health metrics to create a sustainable Medicaid program. (Indiana Capital Chronicle)
ENTEK Gets Conditional $1.2 Billion U.S. Loan for EV Battery Separator Plant
The U.S. Department of Energy's loans office has issued a conditional loan of up to $1.2 billion to ENTEK Lithium Separators LLC. This loan is intended to finance a plant in Indiana for manufacturing lithium-ion battery separators, which are primarily used in electric vehicles.
Why it matters: The project is expected to support the production of 1.9 million EVs or 1.3 million electric SUVs. The plant will create over 760 construction jobs and 635 operational jobs. (Reuters)
Rush to Seek Retention, Indiana Chief Justice Post
Indiana Supreme Court Chief Justice Loretta Rush announced her intent to seek retention to the bench and reappointment as chief justice. Rush has been a member of the court since 2012 and was previously retained by voters in 2014. She emphasized the importance of institutional stability and public trust and confidence. The Judicial Nominating Commission will decide on August 21 whether Rush remains chief justice, with the support of the other members of the court.
The big picture: As chief justice, Rush supervises Indiana's judicial branch, working with the state legislature to secure funding and allocate resources. She also oversees a central administrative office that handles various court processes, from caseload measures to lawyer discipline. (Indiana Capital Chronicle)
Young, Colleagues Introduce Bipartisan, Bicameral Bill to Create Foundation to Support U.S. Leadership in Emerging Technology
The Expanding Partnerships for Innovation and Competitiveness (EPIC) Act is a bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Senators Todd Young, Chris Coons, John Hickenlooper, and Deb Fischer. The bill proposes to establish a nonprofit foundation that would leverage private funding and promote U.S. technological innovation and industrial competitiveness. This foundation aims to support the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in advancing measurement science, standards, and technology to enhance economic security and improve quality of life.
Why it matters: The EPIC Act is important as it would fuel public-private partnerships and mobilize resources to support US leadership in emerging technologies such as AI, cybersecurity, biotech, and quantum computing. By establishing an independent foundation, the bill aims to strengthen the American economy, maintain research and development, and ensure responsible R&D from the start. This legislation has widespread support and emphasizes the need to stay ahead of adversaries like China.
Full text of the bill is available here. A one-pager about the bill is available here. (Todd Young Newsroom)
Preliminary Report Shows 2,400 Early Education Jobs Go Unfilled in Indiana Each Year
In Indiana, over 2,400 early education jobs remain unfilled annually, while wages in the field rank among the lowest in the state.
Why it matters: Childcare providers struggle to retain staff due to insufficient training and low wages. As a result, there is high turnover, impacting the quality of early education. Indiana's efforts, like the Next Level Agenda and upcoming Talent First Study, aim to address these challenges and serve as potential models for other states. (Fox59)
FSSA Seeks Stay in Healthy Indiana Plan Case; Says Ruling Threatens Coverage and Funding
The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) has filed to stay a federal court ruling that invalidated the state's Medicaid expansion program for moderate-income adults under 65. The agency is appealing the ruling to the D.C. Circuit Court and warns of serious negative consequences if the federal approval is vacated. FSSA highlights the funding risks that will arise without the waiver. The agency plans to keep contributions paused for now, but without a federal waiver, more than 335,000 Hoosiers will need to transition to HIP Basic.
Why it matters: The loss of the waiver threatens the healthcare coverage of a significant portion of Indiana's population, and the state will need to make extensive changes to systems and contracts, requiring substantial resources.
The bottom line: Without the federal waiver, beneficiaries will lose access to important benefits and will need to start making co-payments for services, affecting their ability to receive necessary care. Additionally, the state will face financial challenges without the ability to collect the Hospital Assessment Fee, putting the future of coverage at risk. (Indiana Capital Chronicle)
Ascend Indiana Awards $700k for Pilot Youth Apprenticeship Programs
Indiana-based organization Ascend Indiana is awarding $700,000 in funding to four locations across the state to launch youth apprenticeship pilot programs. The programs are part of the Indiana Youth Apprenticeship Accelerator, which aims to increase opportunities for Indiana's youth in various industries. The partnerships between industry, education, and the community were key factors in selecting the funding recipients. Youth apprentices begin in their junior year of high school and complete a 2-3 year program that combines classroom learning and on-the-job training. The grants are being awarded by the Walton Family Foundation.
The bottom line: The $700,000 funding will support the launch of youth apprenticeship programs in advanced manufacturing, health care, information technology, and education. The initiative aims to empower students with the skills, experiences, and opportunities to succeed in an evolving workplace and health care system. As the number of youth apprentices continues to grow and more high schools participate, this program is poised to make a significant impact on Indiana's workforce pipeline. (Inside Indiana Business)
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Important Dates:
- State Board of Education - Monday, July 17 at 9am