State Sen. Chris Garten to chair Health Care Oversight Task Force and Government Reform Task Force

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Kellyn Harrison, Press Secretary
kellyn.harrison@iga.in.gov
317-232-9498

State Sen. Chris Garten to chair the
Health Care Cost Oversight Task Force and Government Reform Task Force

STATEHOUSE (July 14, 2023) — State Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown) will serve as chair of the Health Care Cost Oversight Task Force, Government Reform Task Force and a Sales and Use Tax working group within the State and Local Tax Review Task Force and serve as a member of several other study committees in preparation for the 2024 legislative session.

Established by House Enrolled Act 1004, which Garten sponsored during the 2023 legislative session, the Health Care Cost Oversight Task Force will review and make recommendations concerning:

• Indiana's health care costs in comparison to other states;
• Reductions in health care costs with the goal of ensuring that any cost reductions reach the health care payer;
• The availability of value-based care and other health care models that emphasize prevention and cost avoidance; and
• The availability of health care providers and contributing factors, including whether non-compete clauses restrain trade and promote greater competition in the health workforce.

"Hoosiers are spending too much of their hard-earned money on health care as Indiana’s hospitals continue to charge some of the highest prices in the nation. Senate Republicans remain committed to addressing the real need for affordable health care, which directly correlates with a healthy workforce and increased quality of life," Garten said. "HEA 1004 was a significant step in the right direction to achieving that, and this task force will further consider policy and improvements relating to Indiana’s health care costs for the next legislative session.

“This past session, as we drafted health care legislation and carefully studied this topic, our caucus was surprised to learn the level at which several of Indiana’s largest hospitals profit at the expense of hard-working Hoosiers. These hospitals’ financial reserves are among the highest in the country, and yet they continue to charge exorbitant prices. We simply need to do better, and the Health Care Cost Oversight Task Force will not shy away from tackling this issue.”

Established by House Enrolled Act 1623, which Garten sponsored during the 2023 legislative session, the Government Reform Task Force will review state agencies' external policies and standards, including transparency of where rules and fines originate.

"I firmly believe that we, as the General Assembly, have a duty to provide the most effective, responsive and transparent government we can for Hoosiers," Garten said. "In order to achieve that, after hearing firsthand how agency rules and fines were impacting businesses and individuals across our state, it quickly became evident that a comprehensive review of the rulemaking process would be necessary. This task force will play an important role in ensuring our agencies are serving our Hoosiers’ best interests."

The Government Reform Task Force follows the findings presented by the Administrative Rules Task Force, which Garten vice-chaired during the 2022 interim and created through Senate Enrolled Act 264 during the 2022 legislative session, to study the administrative rules, fees and fines of state agencies under the governor's office.

The Administrative Rules Task Force revealed a need for improvements to simplify agencies' rulemaking process, increase transparency and public involvement in these processes and improve oversight of agencies' standards for setting fines and civil penalties. HEA 1623 worked to address these deficiencies, and the Government Reform Task Force will review the legislation's impact and further study agencies' policies and standards.

"Hoosiers deserve to have their government and institutions work for them – not against them," Garten said. "I look forward to studying topics that warrant a comprehensive review: health care costs, agency rulemaking and our tax system."

Garten will also chair a working group within the larger State and Local Tax Review Task Force, established by Senate Enrolled Act 3, that will focus primarily on the sales and use tax. The State and Local Tax Review Task Force will examine a range of topics relating to Indiana's tax system including the individual income taxes, property taxes, corporate income taxes, state gross retail and use taxes, and the state's near term and long term financial outlook and overall fiscal position.

"Researching topics that directly impact Hoosiers, especially our state's fiscal health, is vital to making informed policy decisions in the next legislative session," Garten said. "I look forward to reviewing what insights these committees reveal so we can continue to make our great state an even greater place to live, work and raise a family."

Garten's other assignments include:

• Budget Committee;
• Interim Study Committee on Fiscal Policy;
• Legislative Continuity Committee;
• Legislative Council; and
• Legislative State of Emergency Advisory Group.

Legislators will meet over the summer and fall months to discuss topics approved by the bipartisan Legislative Council, which is comprised of 16 voting members – eight from the Senate and eight from the House of Representatives.

To view study committee agendas and stream hearings online, visit iga.in.gov. To view a list of topics that will be examined by the committees, click here.

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State Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown) represents Senate District 45,
which includes Clark County and portions of Floyd County.

NOTE TO THE PRESS: Click here to download Garten’s new high resolution headshot.