One of the most important things our state should do is ensure that those truly in need of welfare are receiving the resources they need.
However, when our welfare system is not properly managed, those who truly need it could lose out to those who are taking advantage of programs like Medicaid and SNAP when they should not be using them. That is why it is incredibly important that our welfare system is run with integrity and accuracy.
To ensure this integrity, I co-authored Senate Bill 1, which is one of the top priorities of the Indiana Senate Republicans this year.
SB 1 would root out waste, fraud and abuse in Indiana's welfare programs by increasing eligibility checks for SNAP, preventing illegal immigrants from claiming benefits and updating Indiana's laws to comply with new federal Medicaid reforms, including work requirements for able-bodied, working-age adults.
The bill would also report anyone who cannot immediately verify they are here legally to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security for investigation.
Welfare fraud has become all too common across the country, and we must do something about it. Indiana has a strong track record of running these programs well, but there's more we can do. This bill is Indiana's latest effort to catch bad actors to preserve programs like SNAP and Medicaid for Indiana residents who need it most.
This legislation will ensure our system is working at its best. I look forward to collaborating with my fellow legislators on this bill, and I will support it as it moves through the legislative process.
As always, I encourage constituents to reach out to me with any questions or concerns by filling out a "Contact Me" form on the IndianaSenateRepublicans.com/Raatz website or by calling my office at 800-382-9467.
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State Sen. Jeff Raatz (R-Richmond) represents Senate District 27, which includes
Henry, Union and Wayne counties, and portions of Franklin County.
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THE RAATZ ROUNDUP
Submitted for use on Jan 14, 2025
Word Count: 302
