“Left Jab†and “Middle Jab†and “Right Jab†October 17, 2020
“Right Jab And Middle Jab And Left Jabâ€Â was created because we have a couple of commenters that post on a daily basis either in our “IS IT TRUE†or “Readers Forumâ€Â columns concerning National or International issues.
The majority of our “IS IT TRUE†columns are about local or state issues, so we have decided to give our more opinionated readers exclusive access to our newly created “LEFT JAB and Middle Jab and RIGHT JAB† column. They now have this post to exclusively discuss national or world issues that they feel passionate about.
We shall be posting the “LEFT JAB†AND “MIDDLE JAB†AND “RIGHT JABâ€Â several times a week.  Oh, “LEFT JAB†is a liberal view, “MIDDLE JAB†is the libertarian view and the “RIGHT JAB is representative of the more conservative views. Also, any reader who would like to react to the written comments in this column is free to do so.
HOT JOBS IN EVANSVILLE
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Accident 2600 Mt. Vernon Avenue
 On October 15 around 7:30 p.m., Evansville Police Officers were dispatched to the 2600 block of Mt. Vernon Avenue for a motor vehicle accident with injury involving a vehicle and a pedestrian.
  When officers arrived the pedestrian was still in the street and was unconscious. Witnesses advised the pedestrian had left Leroy’s Tavern and had walked into the street.
  She was believed to have been struck by a westbound vehicle, bounced off of that vehicle and then made contact with an eastbound vehicle.Â
 The pedestrian was transported to the hospital, where the extent of her injuries are unknown at this time. She is expected to survive her injuries.Â
 The Evansville Police Department’s Detective Office, Crime Scene and Accident Reconstructionist were called to the scene and are still investigating.Â
 If anyone might have witnessed this accident they are asked to contact the Evansville Police Department.Â
COMMENTARY: The Fair Care Act Is A Conservative Health Care Solution For All Americans
The Fair Care Act is a conservative health care solution for all AmericansÂ
By Senator Mike Braun and Representative Bruce Westerman
Democrats and many media outlets are claiming that Republicans do not have a health care plan. This is unequivocally false. We have a solution, a bill with more than 500 pages of legislative text introduced in both the House of Representatives and the U.S. Senate. The Fair Care Act of 2020 (FCA) is based on years of research and provides answers to some of the most pressing health care concerns facing the nation.
At its core, the bill is simple. It would expand affordable coverage options for Americans and protect those who are most vulnerable, including those with preexisting conditions. The FCA would also redirect the enormous amount of resources currently flowing through insurance companies, employers, and the government to instead run through the patient, giving Americans the power to regain their sovereignty as health care consumers. Finally, the FCA would infuse the health care system with transparency, competition, and innovation so individuals can shape a health care system that meets their needs.
You don’t have to look far to see the way Congress approaches health care reform is broken. Fixing the system requires bipartisan action. The previous administration left us with a failed and broken Affordable Care Act (ACA) — highlighted by its complex mandates, dysfunctional economic incentives, and administrative bureaucracy — leaving most Americans crushed by rising premiums and reduced benefits. During his tenure, President Donald Trump has delivered a series of significant health reforms intended to fix the dysfunctional and expensive system.
Now it’s time for Congress to act. Here’s how.
First, the FCA provides more protections for those with preexisting conditions than the ACA while simultaneously expanding affordable coverage options. We recognize the importance of the guaranteed issue, essential health benefits, dependent child coverage, and a ban on annual or lifetime benefit limits. However, requiring that insurers offer coverage at the same rate to all individuals regardless of their health status (as currently dictated by the ACA) hasn’t worked and has instead priced millions of Americans out of the health care system. The Fair Care Act reintroduces all the ACA’s protections, extends guaranteed issue to Medigap plans, and establishes a national invisible high-risk pool reinsurance program that directly subsidizes coverage for those with preexisting conditions. This guaranteed coverage risk pool would also increase subsidy assistance from current ACA levels (400 percent Federal Poverty Level) to 600 percent of the Federal Poverty Level and implement more low-cost coverage options. These combined policies will increase individual market enrollment, promote insurer competition, and lower premiums for all.
In addition to strengthening the individual marketplace, the FCA reforms our employer-based health care system by giving employers and employees more options to pay for and purchase coverage. For example, employers could still offer coverage under the FCA, but they could also fund tax-advantaged individual accounts for their employees. This would give employees the resources to pay for coverage that’s not tied to their employment in an affordable individual marketplace.
Too many Americans have lost their power to be health care consumers because they lack adequate health savings. How can this be when the average American spends more than $11,000 a year on health care? It’s because about 90 percent of every health care dollar is spent by a third party, not actual consumers. We need to put more of this money into the hands of individuals and families instead of funneling it through insurance companies, employers, and the government. The FCA does just that, eliminating the employer mandate to offer health insurance but allowing those with employer coverage to opt-out and still receive premium assistance in the marketplace. It also consolidates tax-advantaged health expense savings accounts into one simple Medisave account.
These accounts would be available to those with private insurance, Medicare, or Medicaid, which are owned by the individual and can be used towards the purchase of health plan premiums and any qualified medical expense. These patient-driven changes will result in a health care industry that meets the needs of consumers by competing on price, quality, and service, just like any other industry.
Finally, the FCA will promote transparency and competition throughout our health care system. Our health care system will never function properly unless it is accountable to consumers and their needs. The only way to do this is to empower consumers and ensure a system with real prices and quality signals. Making pricing and quality information easily available to health care consumers will drive innovation, promote competition, and ultimately lower the cost of health care for everyone.
The U.S. spends more than twice as much as other countries on health services. The FCA addresses this problem by codifying the Trump administration’s rules on health care transparency, establishing a national all-payer claims database (APCD), and discouraging hospital competition in non-rural areas. Our bill also builds on bipartisan drug reform policy to modernize the approval process, bring safe and effective medicine to patients faster, promote generic drug approval, and provide more oversight on cost-increasing middlemen like Pharmacy Benefit Managers.
Democrats who say we need to protect those who are most vulnerable and enable them to easily obtain affordable health coverage are right. We should have a system that ensures coverage is affordable, and no one goes broke as a result of a bad accident or diagnosis. Republicans who say that we need a health care system that is driven by market forces are also correct. These ideas are not mutually exclusive. In fact, they support each other and must happen at the same time to fix our current health care system. Both political parties can agree that our health care system is in desperate need of repair. FCA is the proactive, creative solution we need. We designed each of these provisions with one group in mind: the patient. Health care has too long been a politically charged issue, but FCA builds on bipartisan, bicameral reforms to put us all on the same team. Let’s get started.
FOOTNOTE: Sen. Mike Braun (R) is the junior United States senator from Indiana. Rep. Bruce Westerman (R) represents Arkansas’s 4th congressional district.
Indiana Remains At Stage 5 As COVID-19 Cases Rise
Indiana Remains At Stage 5 As COVID-19 Cases Rise And Health Commissioner Tests Positive
By Taylor Wooten
TheStatehouseFile.com
INDIANAPOLIS —Gov. Eric Holcomb said Wednesday that he’s keeping Indiana at Stage 5 of his reopening plan even as the number of COVID-19 cases continues to climb and his own health commissioner, Dr. Kristina Box, announced she and her family tested positive for the disease.
At a technically challenged virtual press conference, a masked Holcomb appealed to Hoosiers who are “showing a disregard for the health of their fellow citizens†and acting “as if this current situation and this coronavirus doesn’t exist†to wear masks and maintain a safe distance from others in public.
“Those decisions can directly and indirectly — even not intentionally — again, cost lives,†Holcomb said of people who are behaving as if the pandemic has ended. “More than 3,609 to be exact, as of today.†He was referring to the number of Hoosiers who have died of the highly contagious novel coronavirus.
Holcomb, who extended the mask mandate for another month, elaborated on the consequences of COVID-19 as it spreads through the community by citing increased healthcare costs, lost wages and business failures.
“Don’t kid yourself,†Holcomb said. “We’re all paying this bill and the bill’s coming due. And throwing caution to the wind ultimately ends up costing us all.â€
Speaking at the press conference by phone, Box said that she, her daughter, and her grandson tested positive for coronavirus after an outbreak at her grandson’s daycare. Initial tests that are processed quickly came up negative, but they were followed with another test where they got positive results.
Box is asymptomatic and said she would keep the public updated on her condition as she quarantines and works from home.
“Listen to Dr. Weaver and what they’re saying, because our numbers are not good, they’re very concerning,†Box said. “It’s especially concerning to see what’s happening in our hospitals in several areas around the state, so please be careful.â€
Indiana had 1,172 new cases of COVID-19 and 14 additional deaths Wednesday for a total of 139,269 cases and 3,609 deaths.
“As of yesterday, a total of 1,357 Hoosiers were hospitalized with COVID or symptoms of COVID,†said Dr. Lindsay Weaver, chief medical officer of the Indiana State Department of Health. “That is the highest number we have seen since May 13 and it underscores the importance of not letting our guard down.â€
Weaver referred to the color-coded ISDH map that shows community spread in Indiana counties. Last week there were 39 counties in blue, eight counties in orange and one in red. This week, there are 24 counties in blue, 21 in orange and one in red. Local governments in orange and red counties are urged to consider implementing stricter restrictions on social gatherings and events.
Weaver also said that some hospitals are near capacity because of the rising number of COVID-19 cases and they may need reinforcements from medical personnel, especially nurses, from other areas.
As a result of Box’s positive test, Weaver, Holcomb and other staff were tested after the press conference. Results are expected Thursday. Each individual at the press conference appeared electronically from a separate room and wore a mask.
In spite of the rising numbers, Holcomb said that he would not roll back to an earlier stage of the reopening plan. Capacity limits, like the ones in place in Stage 4 that limited crowd sizes in restaurants and other venues, do not prevent the spread of coronavirus in states that are still enforcing strict ones, he said.
But Holcomb did leave open the possibility of enforcing stricter guidelines in areas with the highest spread of the virus, but maintained that a one size fits all approach won’t work for the state.
His position drew sharp criticism from two sides of the political spectrum. State Democratic Party Chair John Zody said Holcomb’s approach to the pandemic has resulted in a record spread of COVID-19 while Senate Minority Leader Tim Lanane, D-Anderson, was critical of the governor’s failure to include a penalty with the mask mandate.
“Gov. Holcomb emphasizes social distancing and wearing masks, but there is absolutely no enforcement,†Lanane said in a news release. “He encourages Hoosiers to not attend large gatherings, but yet he has placed no restrictions on such events.â€
On the other side, Donald Rainwater, Libertarian candidate for governor, challenged the effectiveness of the mask and social distancing mandates.
“If the Indiana State Health Commissioner, Dr. Box, can practice the highest level of risk mitigation and still test positive, this indicates that the precautionary measures are not 100% effective,†Rainwater said in a press release.
Holcomb’s next COVID-19 press conference will be at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21.
FOOTNOTE: Taylor Wooten is a reporter for TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.
AG Curtis Hill: Federal Court Ruling Upholding Multiple Abortion Laws Represents Huge Win For Indiana
Attorney General Curtis Hill today applauded a federal court ruling that upheld against a due process challenge many critical abortion laws enacted by the Indiana General Assembly.
Last week, in response to a lawsuit filed by abortion provider Whole Woman’s Health challenging Indiana’s most significant abortion regulations, a judge for the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana upheld many statutes and regulations under the Due Process Clause. The laws the judge upheld include those:
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requiring abortion clinics to be licensed;
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requiring abortion providers to report abortions;
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requiring abortion providers to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals (or to have a back-up physician who does);
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requiring women seeking abortion to have an ultrasound;
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requiring abortion providers to make some mandatory disclosures to women as part of the abortion informed-consent process, and;
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requiring women seeking abortion to wait 18 hours after an informed-consent consultation before having the abortion.
The judge also upheld under the Due Process Clause restrictions on the dosage and administration of the abortion drug mifepristone, as well as specifications for abortion clinic facilities. And finally, the judge affirmed under the Due Process Clause Indiana’s law requiring parental consent or a judicial bypass order before a minor can have an abortion.
“This ruling represents an important victory in Indiana’s efforts to defend life and promote the health of women seeking abortions,†Attorney General Hill said. “Our legislature has enacted common-sense abortion regulations that courts have long deemed constitutional, and this ruling affirms its prerogative to do so as a matter of constitutional due-process rights.â€
A bench trial regarding the plaintiffs’ surviving due process and equal protection claims begins March 15, 2021. In addition to equal protection claims against the above-mentioned statutes, the plaintiffs are challenging Indiana laws that require, among other things:
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that abortions be conducted by physicians;
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that second-trimester abortions be conducted in hospitals or ambulatory surgical centers;
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that women seeking abortions have an in-person examination and in-person informed-consent counseling before undergoing the abortion;
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that women seeking abortions be told that human physical life begins when a human ovum is fertilized by a human sperm, that a fetus can feel pain from abortion, and that abortion entails both physical and mental health risks for the mother.
“We will continue to defend Indiana’s common-sense abortion laws from the meritless, self-interested attacks of abortion providers,†Attorney General Hill said.
Indiana Lands New Defense Hub for Hypersonics R&D, Testing
US Department of Defense to launch JHTO Systems Engineering Field Activity at NSWC Crane
Governor Eric J. Holcomb announced today the U.S. Department of Defense will establish its Joint Hypersonics Transition Office (JHTO) Systems Engineering Field Activity in Indiana, accelerating research and development (R&D) and testing in hypersonic technologies at Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC) Crane Division.
“Today’s announcement is another signal to the world that Indiana is poised to be a leader in hypersonics, with strategic assets such as NSWC Crane and our world-class research institutions fueling growth and advancements in the field,” Governor Eric J. Holcomb said. “We’re excited the Department of Defense has chosen Indiana to establish its JHTO Systems Engineering Field Activity, and grateful to our state’s leaders in Washington D.C. and here at home for their commitment to increasing defense investment and opportunities in Indiana.”
Today, Gov. Holcomb met virtually with Acting Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering Dr. Mark Lewis, JHTO Director Dr. Gillian Bussey and federal, state and military officials to inaugurate the JHTO Systems Engineering Field Activity. The new facility will allow the Department of Defense to develop and improve technologies and capabilities in hypersonics by utilizing NSWC Crane’s strategic assets and growing network of government, industry and academic partners. Thirty engineers and program managers will be located on-site at NSWC Crane to support the program.
The JHTO, which is headquartered at the Pentagon and overseen by the Office of the Under Secretary of Defense for Research and Engineering, will coordinate and integrate current and future hypersonic programs, develop strategies for transitioning hypersonic technologies into future capabilities, and establish a university consortium for hypersonics R&D and workforce development at its satellite activity office in Indiana. Hypersonics systems can travel at Mach 5 or higher, which is at least five times faster than the speed of sound.
“The JHTO and its Systems Engineering Field Activity present a signature opportunity for the Department,” said Dr. Lewis. “Leveraging the capabilities at NSWC Crane, we can not only develop effective hypersonic technologies, but we can also develop them affordably at the speed of relevance to our warfighters. Proactive engineering for affordable upgrades is critical to the long-term sustainability of these systems.”
Under Gov. Holcomb’s leadership, Indiana is committed to targeting growth in the state’s defense industry, increasing defense development opportunities and supporting industry-focused partnerships under the Indiana Economic Development Corporation. This strategic approach complements the state’s strong military presence and network of hypersonics assets, which include testing infrastructure at NSWC Crane and renowned hypersonics research capabilities at Purdue University and The University of Notre Dame.
“NSWC Crane has become a critical hub in the hypersonics development ecosystem,†said Rick Davidoff, acting director of the JHTO Systems Engineering Field Activity. “This exciting announcement is the culmination of the hard work and dedication of many people. The JHTO Field Activity at Crane will allow OSD to leverage earlier and ongoing investments at Crane to help all three Services improve their hypersonic weapons with more rapid, adaptable and modular upgrades. Indiana and the larger Midwest will have a long-term, critical role in this important national security mission.â€
At NSWC Crane, the Department of Defense has invested more than $200 million to enhance its testing verification and validation capabilities in hypersonics, which feature an underwater launch test complex, a missile technology evaluation facility, an integrated Hardware-in-the-Loop and Software-in-the-Loop test bed, and a modeling and simulation lab. These facilities are managed by more than 300 hypersonics subject matter experts and model-based engineers.
Additionally, Purdue and Notre Dame are leaders in hypersonics-related R&D and testing. At Purdue, more than 50 faculty members are engaged in experimental and computational aero/aero-thermal dynamics, including hypersonic laminar-turbulent transition, at state-of-the-art facilities such as the Air Force Office of Scientific Research (AFOSR)/Boeing Mach 6 quiet wind tunnel. The university is currently developing the world’s first quiet Mach 8 wind tunnel under a government contract with the Air Force Research Laboratory. At Notre Dame, the university’s Hypersonic Systems Initiative engages engineers and scientists to address technical challenges for developing hypersonic flight vehicles. More than 35 researchers across 10 subject areas support hypersonic systems research at the university. Notre Dame also houses a Mach 6 quiet wind tunnel with support of AFOSR and plans to develop a Mach 10 quiet wind tunnel in June 2022.
The U.S. Congress appropriated $100 million under the Department of Defense Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2020 to the program. Members of Indiana’s congressional delegation expressed support for today’s announcement:
“I congratulate Governor Holcomb and all the leaders at NSWC Crane for successfully obtaining this federal funding,” said Rep. Pete Visclosky, chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives Defense Appropriations Committee. “Their dedicated work is proving that our state has an inherent role at the forefront of researching and producing on behalf of our nation’s defense.”
“The Department of Defense is realizing what so many around our state have long understood, that critical work occurring around Indiana is shaping the future of our national security,” said Sen. Todd Young. “This is further evidenced by today’s news that the DoD is locating the new Joint Hypersonic Transition Office Field Activity right here in Indiana. While legislative language that we secured in last year’s National Defense Authorization Act set the conditions for today’s announcement, I am especially grateful to the hard working Hoosiers whose efforts brought this home. I look forward to working with our partners around the state as this office is established and Indiana’s leadership role is solidified.”
“It was an honor to join Governor Holcomb and my fellow Hoosier colleagues today in celebrating the announcement of the Department of Defense’s Joint Hypersonics Transition Office Systems Engineering Field Activity to be located at NSWC Crane, which is in the Eighth Congressional District of Indiana,” said Rep. Larry Bucshon, M.D. “NSWC Crane is vital to the strength and security of our nation and plays a substantial role in providing critical technology for our nation’s warfighters. This announcement will further bolster our military and Indiana’s leadership in the development and deployment of hypersonic weapons to combat this new and dangerous threat.”
“I am proud of Indiana’s technical expertise in a field as important to our national security as hypersonics,” said Rep. Jim Banks. “NSWC Crane’s expanded role in the development and fielding of hypersonic weapons is an invaluable opportunity for our state, and I look forward to continuing to champion their work on the House Armed Services Committee.”