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Lowering health care costs for Hoosiers

Submitted for use on Aug. 21, 2023
Word Count: 279

Lowering health care costs for Hoosiers

By State Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown), chair of the Health Care Cost Oversight Task Force, and State Sen. Ed Charbonneau (R-Valparaiso), chair of the Senate Committee on Health and Provider Services

During the 2023 legislative session, the Indiana General Assembly took considerable action to address the undeniable fact that Hoosiers are spending too much of their hard-earned money on health care.

Senate Republicans prioritized major improvements to our state's public health infrastructure during the 2023 legislative session by requiring 'site of service' transparency, prohibiting non-compete clauses in large hospitals, reducing prescription drug prices, working to increase the quality of services offered by local health departments and promoting intrastate collaboration with the Indiana Department of Health.

While these improvements are undoubtedly a step in the right direction, there is still more to do to ensure Hoosiers can afford high-quality health care services. This is why the General Assembly established the Health Care Cost Oversight Task Force through House Enrolled Act 1004 during the 2023 legislative session to review and make recommendations concerning:
  • Indiana's health care costs in comparison to other states;
  • Reductions in health care costs to ensure 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.

This task force will conduct a comprehensive review of Indiana's high health care costs in a number of ways, including examining the market share of Indiana's hospital and insurance space and hearing testimony from national experts and major stakeholders with extensive knowledge in this field. As we work toward a data-driven solution to lowering the price of high-quality health care, our state remains wholly committed to improving health care accessibility and affordability for Hoosiers.

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NOTE TO THE PRESS: The task force's first meeting will be held in the Senate Chamber Wednesday, August 23 at 1:30 pm. Click here to view the meeting agenda.

State Sen. Ed Charbonneau (R-Valparaiso) represents Senate District 5,
which includes Pulaski and White counties and portions of Jasper and Porter counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.

State Sen. Chris Garten (R-Charlestown) represents Senate District 45,
which includes Clark County and portions of Floyd County.
Click here to download Garten’s new high-resolution headshot.