Dr. Bucshon’s Work Invaluable to HIP 2.0 Efforts

Governor Mike Pence announced this week that Indiana received a waiver from the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to expand the state’s successful Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) through HIP 2.0, an innovative, consumer-driven plan that reforms traditional Medicaid and expands health coverage to 350,000 low-income, uninsured Hoosiers.

Eighth District Congressman Larry Bucshon, a physician from Southern Indiana, called the agreement a win for Indiana.

“This announcement is a win for our state,” said Bucshon. “I spent my career as a healthcare provider caring for patients regardless of their ability to pay. I know that we can do better for our patients than settling for the top-down, one-size-fits-all expansion of traditional Medicaid. Indiana has demonstrated this with the success of Healthy Indiana Plan. I’m happy to see HHS grant Indiana the flexibility to build on our progress and expand access to quality care for 350,000 low-income Hoosiers without insurance. This is about empowering patients to take control of their healthcare decisions and improving their quality of life.”

Bucshon went on to praise the work of Governor Pence to secure the waiver from HHS. “I commend the persistent work of Governor Pence on behalf of Hoosiers. Thanks to his leadership, Indiana will be a model for how states can implement conservative, consumer-driven solutions to innovate and meet the healthcare needs of their citizens.”

Bucshon has long been an opponent of the Affordable Care Act’s expansion of traditional Medicaid.  Instead, he has advocated for the federal government to give states the flexibility to cover their low-income populations. During their “Hoosier Healthcare Tour,” Bucshon and fellow physician and Indiana Ways and Means Chairman, Dr. Tim Brown, took this message across the state.

In the 113^th Congress, Bucshon was successful at getting Medicaid reform language using HIP as an example for states in the House Republican Budget. He also urged HHS to grant Indiana a waiver during Congressional hearings on Capitol Hill and through letters to the agency.

Governor Pence applauded Congressman Bucshon’s support of Healthy Indiana Plan and HIP 2.0.

“As a physician and lawmaker, Congressman Bucshon has been a leader on healthcare policy, and his support of our efforts has been invaluable,” said Pence.  “His advocacy of HIP, here in Indiana on his ‘Hoosier Healthcare Tour’ and at the national level working with Congress and HHS, cannot be understated, and I am grateful for his continued support.”

The Governor went on to say, “I look forward to working with Congressman Bucshon as we implement HIP 2.0 and use our innovative, patient-centered ideas as a blueprint for other states to reform Medicaid and cover their low-income, uninsured populations.”

Congressman Larry Bucshon, a physician from Southern Indiana, is serving his third term in the U.S. House of Representatives. In the 114^th Congress, Bucshon will serve on the influential House Committee on Energy and Commerce.  The 8th District of Indiana includes all or parts of Clay, Crawford, Daviess, Dubois, Gibson, Greene, Knox, Martin, Owen, Parke, Perry, Pike, Posey, Spencer, Sullivan, Vanderburgh, Vermillion, Vigo, and Warrick counties.