Porter sounds alarm on lack of an operational definition of medical frailty as work requirements begin

Today, State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) is sounding the alarm over Indiana's failure to finalize an operational definition of medical frailty as Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) work requirements begin. HIP enrollees renewing in January 2027 must start meeting the 80-hour monthly requirement this month to keep their coverage. Meanwhile, doctors and other medical professionals are still waiting for the state’s guidance on medical frailty to determine who qualifies for an exemption.

"Over 343,000 people have already lost their coverage, and work requirements will add to that figure," Porter said. "Indiana isn't ready for this rollout. Secretary Roob himself said he's worried, and I'm worried too. These are people's lives at stake.

"Some people need to start meeting these requirements now, and doctors still don't have a clear definition to decide exemptions. The Braun administration doesn't know how many people this could impact, doctors don't know what to do for patients, and a good chunk of HIP enrollees probably don't even know this change is coming."

In September, Porter urged the Indiana Attorney General to join the federal lawsuit Massachusetts v. Oz. Filed by 25 states and the District of Columbia, Massachusetts v. Oz alleges that a new federal rule from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) unlawfully narrows the exemptions for Medicaid work requirements. In July, a U.S. District Judge denied the states' request for a preliminary injunction. The Indiana Attorney General did not respond to Porter's request, but the case is still active, with states able to join. 

"The state hasn't released its final definition, but whatever it decides will be based on the new federal rule," Porter said. “That rule is restrictive, harmful and will be challenging for Indiana to implement. There’s no blanket exemption for Hoosiers with serious medical conditions, like cancer. Instead, you must prove the severity of your condition. All of this is a recipe for disaster.”