Indiana Bulletin State News
By: States: Indiana Source: AARP.org Date Posted:
April 2008
Add your voice – AARP Indiana is asking members to keep the issues of affordable health care and lifelong financial security front and center this election season. In cooperation with business, civic and faith leaders, AARP will focus public attention on candidates’ positions on those issues at events in South Bend, Columbus and Evansville.
“This is an opportunity for Hoosiers to demand action and answers from candidates on the top domestic issues of 2008,” says Sarah Waddle, AARP Indiana program coordinator. AARP is hosting kickoff events for advocacy volunteers this month and next. For details, go to www.aarp.org/in. To join in the effort, e-mail swaddle@aarp.org.
March 2008
Gotcha covered – A new state-sponsored health insurance program, the Healthy Indiana Plan, is now available for thousands of Hoosiers who earn too much for Medicaid, are too young for Medicare, and lack employer-sponsored coverage. Uninsured residents ages 19 to 64 who meet income restrictions (individuals up to $20,800 annually, couples up to $28,000) can enroll in the program, which covers doctor visits, hospitalization, prescriptions, diagnostic exams, mental health care, disease management and preventive care. The plan does not cover dental or vision care.
At AARP Indiana’s urging, lawmakers adopted an income-based sliding scale for premiums and approved full medical and hospital coverage over cheaper but narrower benefits.
To learn more about the Healthy Indiana Plan, go to www.hip.in.gov or call 1-877-438-4479 toll free.
December 2007
Protection with teeth – When the state House Labor Committee convenes in January under new leadership, AARP Indiana plans to help lawmakers draft legislation to fight age discrimination in employment. Under current law, residents who experience age bias on the job can file a complaint with the state Department of Labor, but the agency can issue only a finding of fact-it cannot deliver enforceable remedies to injured parties. Moreover, those age 70 and older do not have even this limited protection.
AARP Indiana aims to eliminate age limits on protection and move enforcement to the Indiana Civil Rights Commission, which could deliver meaningful remedies.
To tell House Labor Committee Chairman David Niezgodski, D, that you support efforts to strengthen the state's age discrimination law, call the House switchboard at 1-800-382-9841 and leave a message.
Share
preview