Indiana House Democrats announce leadership team

Indiana House Democrats today reelected State Rep. Phil GiaQuinta (D-Fort Wayne) to serve as the Indiana House Democratic Leader. This will be GiaQuinta's fourth term as Leader, having first assumed the position in 2018.

GiaQuinta will serve alongside State Rep. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) and State Rep. Carey Hamilton (D-Indianapolis), who were reelected as Minority Floor Leader and Minority Caucus Chair, respectively.

“I'm thankful that House Democrats have once again entrusted me to lead our efforts at the Statehouse to protect our freedoms and build up Indiana's working class. As we enter next year's budget session, Indiana House Democrats' priorities are the same as they always have been: people before profit. That means fully funding our public schools, keeping healthcare costs low and empowering our local communities to better become places where people want to live, work, play and stay.

"Given state and national election outcomes for Democrats, I'm proud we defended all 30 of our incumbent seats. I always say that House Democrats are pragmatic problem solvers. Our constituents clearly understand that we approach our work in the legislature by putting solutions before partisanship – and that will be no different this upcoming legislative session."

Indiana House Democratic Caucus leadership positions went into effect immediately following an internal election this afternoon.

The 124th General Assembly will convene for the ceremonial start of session on Nov. 19, otherwise known as Organization Day.

Hamilton to hold press conference on impact of the Medicaid Waiver waitlist

Tuesday, Oct. 15, State Rep. Carey Hamilton (D-Indianapolis) will hold a press conference to discuss the devastating impact of PathWays and Health and Wellness waiver waitlists under Indiana's managed care program, PathWays for Aging. The waitlist went into effect this past April in a cost-saving effort by the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) after the $1 billion Medicaid shortfall. Hamilton will be joined by her constituent, Jo Lynn Garing, whose recently deceased grandmother, Josephine Malone, didn’t receive her waiver benefits in the transition to managed care and the waitlist put into place by FSSA. Josephine, a 103-year-old woman suffering from dementia and congestive heart failure, nearly had to move care facilities weeks before her death because she could not get off the waitlist. 

WHO: State Rep. Carey Hamilton, Jo Lynn Garing, Dan Kenyon (Executive Director of the Indiana Assisted Living Association (INALA)), and Executive Staff from Bloom Senior Living.

WHAT: Press conference to discuss the issue of the Medicaid PathWays for Aging Waiver waitlist causing vulnerable Hoosiers to lose medical care.

WHERE: Bloom at Kessler, 5011 Kessler Blvd E Dr., Indianapolis, IN 46220.

WHEN: 9:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 15. 

*Press interested in attending should RSVP to Courtney.bell@iga.in.gov.