Hill reinforces opposition to individual mandate as state collects $95 million from Obamacare lawsuit
Katie Stancombe for www.theindianalawyer.com
As Indiana prepares to collect nearly $100 million from a multi-state lawsuit challenging the Affordable Care Act, Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill held a meeting Wednesday with ACA proponents who are urging him to drop a second lawsuit challenging a controversial portion of the health care law. Though both parties said they were pleased with the dialogue, Hill also reinforced his opposition to the Obamacare individual mandate.
The Hoosier state is expected to receive $95 million from the 2015 multi-state lawsuit that argued the Affordable Care Act’s tax on state Medicaid programs was unlawful. Kansas, Louisiana, Nebraska, Texas and Wisconsin were also involved in the suit that netted $839 million for the states.
“The feds wrongfully took Indiana’s money to fund Obamacare,†Attorney General Curtis Hill said in a statement Wednesday. “Since the federal government cannot tax the states, we are pleased to return this illegally collected money to Hoosiers.â€
Hill said Indiana joined the suit when “federal authorities threatened to withhold Medicaid funds unless state taxpayers paid a portion of the Health Insurance Providers Fee to help fund the Affordable Care Act, otherwise known as Obamacare.â€
His office is also challenging the ACA through a 2018 lawsuit that contends the changes made to individual mandate by the 2017 tax reform renders the entire healthcare law unconstitutional. Indiana joined that 20-state coalition in February.
In protest, eight health care groups from across the state delivered letters and a signed petition to Hill’s office last month, urging him to withdraw from the February lawsuit. Hill recently hosted those groups in his office Wednesday evening to discuss their plea.
Cheryl Reed of Protect Our Care Indiana said although she didn’t think there was much movement on the issue during the Wednesday meeting, it was still a positive conversation.
“The upshot was that Hill isn’t withdrawing but said he’s open to continued dialogue,†Reed said.
Also in attendance were health care advocates Fran Quigley, Indiana University Robert H. McKinney School of Law Health and Human Rights Clinic Director. and Bloomington physician Dr. Rob Stone, director of Hoosiers for a Commonsense Health Plan. Stone said the meeting and discussion was cordial and respectful, and Hill gave them as much time as they wanted to make their points regarding their opposition to the lawsuit.
“Attorney General Hill spoke extensively about his role to protect the Indiana Constitution,†Stone said. “He kept coming back to that. ‘It’s all about protecting the constitution, that’s why we’re a part of this suit.’â€
Despite the civility, Stone said Hill couldn’t answer one question: What do you say to the 600,000 plus Hoosiers afraid of losing their health insurance?
“He said, ‘I don’t have an answer to that question.’ One of the shortest replies of the day,†Stone said. “And that was pretty stunning because he had an answer to every other question.â€
As the health advocates left the 45-minute meeting, they promised to continue gathering petitions and build their case against the attorney general’s lawsuit.
“We’ll smile in his face. We were clear, he was clear, we didn’t close any doors afterwards,†Stone said. “We wanted to talk to him directly. I’m not optimistic that he will pull Indiana out of this suit, but I think he listened to us.â€
For its part, Hill’s office wrote in a statement to Indiana Lawyer that the AG “was pleased to host a dialogue,” but also defended his position.
“The foundation on which the Supreme Court built its justification for Obamacare’s constitutionality ceased to exist when Congress repealed the individual mandate tax,” a spokeswoman wrote. “Recognizing the need for affordable health care, Attorney General Hill hopes to see the emergence of sound policies that not only safeguard the healthcare needs of all Americans — including those with pre-existing conditions — but do so without violating the Constitution. He continues to support efforts to this end by Indiana policymakers, and he further supports such efforts by Congress and the Trump administration on a national level.”
“Healthcare in America is an important issue that requires dialogue among all parties who share a common interest in ensuring that everyone in America has access to reasonable and affordable healthcare,” the spokeswoman added.
Otters rally late to sweep Miners
In an intense back and forth contest, the Evansville Otters defeated the Southern Illinois Miners 7-5 to complete the sweep and finish a perfect 6-0 this season against Southern Illinois.
The Miners plated a run in the first inning on a Nolan Earley RBI single.
Evansville tied the game in the bottom of the first on a Jeff Gardner RBI fielder’s choice.
In the top of the second, Joe Duncan reached on an infield single which drove home a run and gave the Miners a 2-1 lead.
Two runs in the fourth pushed the Otters in front. Taylor Lane drove in a run with a sacrifice fly and David Cronin put Evansville on top with an RBI single.
The Miners scored twice in the top of the sixth to retake the lead. Anthony Critelli doubled home a run and Duncan drove in his second run of the game with an RBI fielder’s choice.
The Otters climbed back in front in the bottom of the sixth when J.J Gould brought home two runs with a single.
On a throwing error from pitcher Alex Phillips, the Miners plated a run and tied the game in the top of the eighth.
The Otters rebounded in the bottom of the eighth on a David Cronin two-run single to take a 7-5 advantage.
Phillips struck out the final six Miners hitters to earn his first win on the year for the Otters and secure the 7-5 victory.
Zach Hartman takes the loss for the Miners. Hartman worked one inning allowing two runs, one earned, on two hits.
The Otters will now welcome in the River City Rascals to town for the final home series of the season at Bosse Field. The series kicks off tomorrow at 6:35 p.m. and will be Star Wars Night at Bosse Field. The game will feature a game-worn jersey auction with proceeds going toward The Arc of Evansville. Also, fan-favorite characters will be in attendance. Star Wars Night is presented by The Arc of Evansville.
The middle game of the weekend series will be Military Appreciation Night. The Otters want to show their appreciation to those who served with free admission to all veterans and active military personnel courtesy of the Evansville VA Health Care Center, a Marion (IL) VA Health Care System Facility.
The last game of the series will include a family fun day, Fan Appreciation Day and HOLA Latino Day. This game will be the last chance to bring the family out to Bosse Field for a Sunday afternoon of Otters baseball and purchase the family package. Families can get four General Admission tickets, 4 popcorn, soda and snow cone vouchers, and 2 inflatable passes for $40. The Otters want to thank the fans for their support and a successful 2018 season. Also, join the Otters in celebrating Latino culture and heritage with HOLA. The series finale is presented by ProperTpros and HOLA.
UE Volleyball Opens 2018 Season On Friday
UE Volleyball Opens 2018 Season On Friday
Following a 2017 season that saw the University of Evansville volleyball team double its win total from 2016, the Purple Aces are ready for 2018. For the second season in a row, Evansville opens the year in Macomb, Ill. at the Leatherneck Invitational hosted by Western Illinois.
“We are looking forward to finally see all the girls in action. After a successful introduction of systems and organizational culture this past training camp, we look forward to implementation and experimentation,†UE head coach Manolo Concepcion said. “The team is eager to play together and start building with the blocks that they have established a base from during the past two weeks. We have high respect for every opponent that we are facing in Macomb (and the rest of pre-season adversaries), but preparation and focus will begin from within.â€
“The goal is to solidify on the things that we can control, by competing with a growth mindset and taking advantage of every learning opportunity.â€
Four starters and nine players overall return from the 2017 squad including senior Mildrelis Rodriguez and junior Rachel Tam. Rodriguez has consistently been one of the Aces top players in her college career and last year was no different. Rodriguez assisted UE in all facets of the game, ranking second on the team with 2.44 kills per set while posting 3.50 digs per frame, also second on the squad.
Rachel Tam took a large step forward in 2017, leading the way for the UE offense with 2.78 kills per set. Her top career match came at Southern Illinois last year when she set career marks with 27 kills and 79 attempts; her 27 kills was the most for a UE player since 2015.
Senior Rocio Fortuny looks to finish her career on a high note following a junior season that saw her finish with 2.11 kills per set along with a total of 47 block assists. Fortuny looks forward to the Western Illinois trip as she earned a spot on the All-Tournament Team at the event last season. In three matches in the event, she registered a total of 29 kills including 11 in a 5-set win over the host Leathernecks.
“READERS FORUM” AUGUST 24, 2018
We hope that today’s “Readers Forumâ€Â will provoke honest and open dialogue concerning issues that we, as responsible citizens of this community, need to address in a rational and responsible way?
 WHATS ON YOUR MIND TODAY?
Todays“Readers Poll†question is: Are you planning to attend next weeks visit by President Trump at the Ford Center?
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USI Students React To President Trump’s Upcoming Visit To Evansville
USI Students React To President Trump’s Upcoming Visit To Evansville
AUGUST 23RD, 2018 
CHRIS MASTROBUONO EVANSVILLE, INDIANA
Many people are excited to see the president in Evansville next Thursday at the Ford Center.
Some students at the University of Southern Indiana say they’re using his visit as a chance to voice their opinions on his policies. A barometer full of many emotions can be expected when President Trump visits the ford center in downtown Evansville next Thursday.
The president is expected to talk about how his economic policies have impacted Hoosiers.
For USI students there’s a range of likes and dislikes for president trump.
Sophomore Emma Woods is president of the USI Democrats and said, “For some students it’s really important for them to just get the knowledge it’s good to find out more about their federal government, their legislature, finding out more about there communities by having trump come to town.â€
Austin Clausheide is happy president trump is coming to town. He would attend the rally but his studies are calling. “I’m excited I like what he’s been doing, I know many other people probably don’t but that’s my opinion I’m going to attest for it.â€
Most students say they like to have their voices heard throughout the community.
Kim Wyat said “‘I’m excited it’s not every day or even every year that a president comes to your town, so I’m excited to see what he has to say.â€
Despite political differences – Kim says her friends are friends.
Wyat said, “Not all my friends and I have the same views, so I’m excited, I like trump, I think he’s doing decent for a president you’re not going to like every decision he makes, but you’re not going to like every decision any president makes.â€
Clausheide said, “He’s been working hard, many people probably don’t like him because of what he says on twitter, and social media and such, you got to put that stuff aside and let him do his job.â€
Emma says no matter your political beliefs – it’s important to understand the president’s policies.
Woods said, “It’s also important that we learn what his polices are and how it affects us personally.â€
Many of the students I spoke to said they would like to attend the rally – but they have school obligations.
Democrats Accuse Braun Campaign Of Violating Campaign Finance Laws
By Janet Williams
TheStatehouseFile.com
INDIANAPOLIS—Days after Republicans filed an ethics complaint against U.S. Sen. Joe Donnelly for displaying on his Senate website a silent video of him with Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, Democrats have fired back against the incumbent’s GOP challenger, Mike Braun.
A complaint filed with the Federal Election Commission Wednesday accuses Braun of failing to report a $250,000 loan that he made to his own Senate campaign before the May primary within the required 48 hours of the receipt of the money.
But Josh Kelley, Braun’s campaign spokesman, said Democrats have it wrong and the report was filed on time. The campaign included a copy of Form 6, the document campaigns file when reporting late donations. It shows Braun reporting the $250,000 loan on time.
However, that donation is not available on the FEC website. A separate $386,000 loan that Braun made to his campaign on April 23 shows up as being reported on Form 6 within the required 48-hour timeframe.
Donnelly, the incumbent Democrat, is locked in a tight, competitive race against Braun, the Republican who upset two sitting members of Congress to win the nomination.
On Monday, Indiana Republicans filed a complaint against Donnelly with the Senate Ethics Committee accusing him of misusing his official office to post a campaign video of him with Kavanaugh.Â
Donnelly met with Kavanaugh last week and posted a video on his Senate website of him greeting the nominee at his office. Posting the video to his official Senate website is not an ethics violation, but it would violate ethics rules if it were to be used as part of his campaign.
Wednesday, Indiana Democrats filed the complaint with the FEC.
“Donnelly and his Democrat party bosses are just trying to distract Hoosiers from the ethical mistake of using his taxpayer-funded staff to provide video to create political commercials surrounding the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh,†Kelley said after producing the form showing the campaign filed the $250,000 within 48 hours of the April 23 donation.
Michael Feldman, a spokesperson for the Indiana Democratic Party, said what matters is the documentation that appears on the FEC website.
“No public record shows that Rep. Braun reported this loan as the law required. It remains clear that Congressmen Rokita and Messer, as well as Hoosier voters, weren’t aware that he made this loan in the critical weeks before the primary,†Feldman said.
The original document on the FEC website appears to be a fax sent to the secretary of the Senate that might have been mangled in transmission. View that document here.
Christian Hilland, a spokesman with the FEC, said legislation pending before Congress could fix issues like the one with Braun’s report by providing for an electronic transmission of campaign documents.
FOOTNOTE: Janet Williams is executive editor of TheStatehouseFile.com, a news website powered by Franklin College journalism students.
“It Takes a Village” Closer to Puppy Playground
AUGUST 23RD, 2018 MITCH ANGLE EVANSVILLE, INDIANA
The puppy playground at It Takes a Village Canine Rescue is $5,000 closer to its goal.
Missy Mosby found a unique way to raise money for the potential playground. The Evansville Councilwoman is an animal advocate and is a volunteer at It Takes a Village.
Last week, she locked herself away in a puppy prison along with her dog Skipper
Mosby set a $3,000 goal, and the community responded by exceeding that and raising $5,400.
All proceeds will go toward the construction of the new playground.
Individuals wanting to donate to It Takes a Village Canine Rescue can click here.