Indiana implements Medicaid reforms as safety net enrollment lags

Indiana is seeing significant shifts in how federal safety net programs are administered and utilized. State Senator Daryl Schmitt has expressed support for Senate Enrolled Act 1, a law designed to improve the integrity of the state’s Medicaid program. The legislation introduces more frequent eligibility checks to ensure recipients are legally residing in Indiana and are financially eligible. Additionally, the law implements work requirements for healthy, able-bodied adults participating in the Healthy Indiana Plan.

Concurrently, a study by the Urban Institute reveals that many eligible Hoosiers are not enrolling in available federal assistance. The analysis shows that Indiana lags behind the national average in cash assistance through the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. In 2023, only 6% of the 79,000 eligible families received direct financial aid, compared to a national average of 21%.

Regarding food assistance, while the Supplemental Food Assistance Program (SNAP) is the most utilized program in the state, less than 59% of the approximately 973,000 eligible Hoosiers are currently enrolled.