Op-ed: Fighting Addiction by supporting HB 1358 & FDA-Approved non-opioid alternatives for Hoosiers

As an elected Indiana state representative, my unwavering commitment is to the health and safety of constituents, especially the most vulnerable among us. The opioid epidemic has devastated countless families in my district and across our state and doesn’t care about your color, socioeconomic status or who you voted for in the last election. That is why I introduced HB 1358, a bill designed to reduce opioid prescriptions and promote the use of FDA-approved non-opioid medications.

Despite the decision by super-majority Republicans not to give my bill a hearing, I hope to amend this language into a bill before the end of the current legislative session this April. It would prevent the State of Indiana from imposing greater coverage restrictions on a non-opioid drug prescribed for the treatment or management of pain than the coverage restrictions placed on an opioid drug prescribed to treat or manage pain for the Medicaid program or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). It would ensure that state-run healthcare programs have equal access to non-addictive, non-opioid alternatives to pain management for the Hoosiers they serve.

A few weeks ago, the Food & Drug Administration (FDA) approved suzetrigine (marketed as Journavx). This first-of-its-kind non-opioid medication offers patients a new way to manage pain without risking opioid addiction. It is the first new class of pain management medication in more than 20 years and represents a significant advancement in treating acute pain. HB 1358 seeks to integrate innovative, non-addictive treatments into our state government practices and programs.

The opioid epidemic has already cost us too many lives, and by adopting HB 1358, we can give healthcare providers more tools to treat pain without relying on opioids. It is good public policy. Our state should be offering safer alternatives. By adopting the language in my bill, we can ensure that medical advancements are accessible to all Hoosiers, promoting better health outcomes and a brighter future for our communities.

Hatcher stands up for Indiana’s underrepresented communities in response to HB 1008

Last week, State Rep. Ragen Hatcher (D-Gary), voiced her opinion on House Bill 1008 and said Indiana should prioritize Hoosier before trying to help other counties in other states. The bill would establish the Indiana-Illinois Boundary Adjustment Commission, a commission with five members appointed by the governor and five appointed under Illinois law, to discuss adjustments to the boundaries between the two states. 

Hatcher initially supported the bill in committee to draw attention to the similarities between Indiana's underrepresented communities and the 33 Illinois counties attempting to secede. The City of Gary has been historically disenfranchised by the state legislature. The most recent example of the legislature's overreach is last year's HB 1235, which attempts to kill a lawsuit, Gary v. Smith & Wesson, that would hold firearm manufacturers accountable for predatory marketing. Hatcher voted against HB 1008 on the House floor, echoing the belief that Indiana should care for its own before expanding its boundaries.

Hatcher said the following on the House floor:

“In committee, I supported the core idea behind this bill because as a representative from Gary and as a Democrat in Indiana, I deeply understand what it feels like to be underrepresented in the Statehouse. I understand what it means to be overlooked time and time again. Legislation directly affecting Gary has been introduced and advanced by lawmakers from other areas without input from those of us who represent the communities of Northwest Indiana. 

“Just last session, this body once again inserted itself into a 25-year lawsuit, by blocking our city's attempt to hold gun manufacturers accountable for the violence plaguing our streets. This body has enacted tax policies that have left our public schools and infrastructure underfunded. Education policies passed here have led to an increase in charter and voucher schools in our community, which operate with far less oversight and accountability to the students they serve. We can't even vote for our own judges. Now, even this year, even in this session, Gary remains under the scrutiny of this legislature. Decisions regarding the Gary Airport Board and casino funds are being made without any meaningful consideration of the plans, vision or input from our city's elected leadership, leaders chosen by the very people who call Gary home.

“During the hearing on this secession bill, I listened to the testimonies of the people from Illinois, and I related to their concerns. I understood their frustration. They live in an area where they feel politically underrepresented. Where they struggle to have their voices heard. But their challenge stems from living in a state dominated by a Democratic majority. We in Indiana face the opposite reality. Here, urban areas are underrepresented in this chamber, even though the majority of Indiana's tax base comes from the Democratic side of the aisle. Yet, as a superminority, we have little say on critical issues like the state budget or education policy.

“I urge this body to listen, not just to those from another state who are seeking a place in Indiana, but also to the voices of communities that are already here. Let's give the same attention and consideration to the concerns of Indiana's own underrepresented regions as we're giving to those from outside our state border.”

Porter votes no on House Republican state budget

Today, Feb. 20, the House passed the state budget with a vote of 66 to 27. State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis), the ranking minority member of the House Ways and Means Committee, voted no on House Bill 1001. 

Porter released the following statement on his no-vote: 

“I cannot in good conscience support this budget proposal from the majority party. When we drill down to the foundation of the bill, it’s not solid by any means. It’s not sound because so many cornerstones, essential programs for Hoosiers, are absent or underfunded. 

“This proposal will not move our state forward, in fact, it may pull us backward. The funding for K-12 will not support our schools. Medicaid is hanging in the balance from potential federal cuts. Local public health programs that support our mothers and daughters will receive less funding. 

“We need a budget that provides the greatest good for the greatest number. This is not a budget for the greatest good of the people.” 

Moed supports bill to provide significant road funding increase to Indy

Today, Feb. 20,  House Bill 1461 passed a vote in the House chamber and heads to the Senate for consideration. The bill was successfully amended to include a provision that provides an additional $50 million to Marion County for secondary streets if the city matches the allocation from local funds. The bill also creates a new funding formula for local governments based on total lane mileage, resulting in more funding coming to Indianapolis. 

State Rep. Justin Moed (D-Indianapolis) has been a long-time advocate for improving Indiana’s road funding formula. For the past five years, Moed has filed a bill to significantly increase road funding for Marion County. This session he filed HB 1085 which contains language similar to HB 1461.  

Moed released the following statement: 

“After years of advocating for a change to our road funding formula, we’ve finally made significant headway. Our current system is imbalanced for high-population centers like Indianapolis. It doesn’t consider how many lanes or how busy a road is to decide the amount a local government needs, leaving our city short-changed in funding.  

“I applaud Speaker Huston and Rep. Pressel for working with a bipartisan group of mayors and representatives from Central Indiana to help bring more fairness to the way our state funds local roads. If HB 1461 becomes law, cities will be better funded to maintain and repair neighborhood streets."

Summers’ trauma-informed care bill passes out of House of Representatives

Today, Feb. 20, House Bill 1241 passed out of the House of Representatives and heads to the Senate for further consideration. The bill, authored by State Rep. Vanessa Summers (D-Indianapolis), creates a Trauma-Informed Care Commission to review best practices for providing health care to trauma victims.

 "A recent study found that 41% of Hoosier children have suffered significant hardships, from divorce to violence to substance abuse, which have impacted their personal and academic lives and their mental health," Summers said. "This bill is a good first step at helping individuals and their families heal and preventing these traumas from occurring in the first place. I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to get this across the finish line for Hoosiers in need."

DeLaney keeps his word, opposes funding increase for Secretary of State

Today, Feb. 19, State Rep. Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis) offered an amendment to the state budget that would revert the funding for the Secretary of State’s office to what was allotted in 2023. 

This comes after a tense exchange between DeLaney and Secretary Diego Morales in the House Ways and Means Committee on Jan. 15 about his employment of a relative, awarding of ‘spot’ bonuses and awarding no-bid contracts to potential campaign donors. The video of the exchange has over 2.1 million views across social media platforms. The amendment failed on party lines by a vote of 26-68. 

“In January, I demanded answers from Secretary of State Diego Morales about the financial shenanigans in his office,” DeLaney said. “ I was met with deafening silence. He refused to admit that he hired his brother-in-law for a newly created position and paid him over $100,000. He refused to admit that he offered no-bid contracts to companies that became major campaign contributors. He refused to explain his spot bonus program. 

“On that day in January, I promised to vote against sending any additional funding to the office of the Secretary of State. 

“Hoosier taxpayers deserve to know that their dollars are being used responsibly. This man cannot be trusted with state money. I cannot in good conscience vote for any measure that gives another cent to Secretary Morales.

“With the push from my colleagues across the aisle to ‘drain the swamp’ and reduce bureaucratic waste and corruption, I am surprised at the willingness to give our Secretary of State additional funding in this already-tight budget.”  

DeLaney offers amendment to support first-time homebuyers

Today, Feb. 19, State Rep. Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis) offered an amendment to the state budget that would require the state treasurer to establish a first-time homebuyer loan program. The amendment was defeated by a vote of 29-67. 

DeLaney released the following statement following the defeat of his amendment on the House floor: 

“I am troubled by the fact that we have made it halfway through session without addressing the barrier our young people face to homeownership. The average age of a first-time homebuyer in this nation is reported to be 38. That is unacceptable. 

“Nobody loses from investing in young people. By offering reduced-interest loans for first-time homebuyers, we would make our state more attractive for young families. In turn, this will boost our workforce, economy and property tax base. 

“The bottom line is that the market is failing young families trying to settle down and build generational equity. If we cannot act to provide a backstop when the markets don’t work, then why are we here?” 

DeLaney offers amendment to protect Hoosiers from federal funding cuts

Today, Feb. 19, State Rep. Ed DeLaney (D-Indianapolis) offered an amendment to the state budget that would allow the state surplus to be used to restore funding for state programs if they are impacted by federal funding cuts. The amendment failed along party lines by a vote of 29-65. 

DeLaney released the following statement following the defeat of his amendment on the House floor: 

“This is the most serious thing I have offered all session. We are in danger of falling off a funding cliff if the federal government cuts cost us billions of dollars. If the President is successful in cutting the programs he wants to, our legislature will face tough decisions to save our citizens from losing access to critical services. 

“One of my proudest moments in the Statehouse was when former Gov. Mike Pence expanded health care access for thousands of Hoosiers when he created the Healthy Indiana Plan. Now, we stand to lose tens of millions of dollars if the federal government cuts Medicaid, and thousands of Hoosiers face losing access to health care. 

“Health research. Veterans resources. Road funding. Infrastructure improvement. Agriculture support. Education programs. Hoosiers relying on these essential services will be in serious trouble if our new federal leadership is successful in cutting off funding. 

“Even my colleagues across the aisle acknowledge that our budget is at risk of Washington leaving us out to dry. We must protect Hoosiers from this potential financial catastrophe.”

Andrade supports public safety funding during state budget process

Over the last several weeks, State Rep. Mike Andrade (D-Munster) has been an outspoken advocate for public safety in Indiana’s state budgeting process.

Today, Feb. 19, the House adopted an amendment to the state budget that will fund the Stop the Bleed Program, a life-saving initiative that Andrade led in 2023.

Additionally, Andrade authored an amendment to establish a new Gun Safety Grant Program, which would have appropriated $100,000 to the Indiana Prosecuting Attorney Council, aimed at increasing access to gun safety locks. Unfortunately, this amendment was voted down by House Republicans.

Andrade issued the following statement regarding the amendments:

"In 2023, I was proud to author legislation that provided first responders with access to bleeding control kits. As a member of the House Ways and Means Committee, I am grateful for bipartisan support in appropriating $120,000 to this life-saving program that was amended on HB 1001, the state budget bill.

“I am grateful to my colleagues who supported the Stop the Bleed Program. I will continue to champion our incredible first responders with necessary life-saving resources. Public safety initiatives like this are essential to protecting Hoosier lives.

"However, I am deeply disappointed that the House could not unite behind the Gun Safety Grant Program. Each year in Indiana, an average of 124 children and teens are killed by gun violence. In just the past 18 months, our Lake County Prosecutor’s data revealed seven children in Lake County alone have died in preventable accidents involving unsecured firearms. These deaths are not just statistics—they are real tragedies. This is unacceptable. There are solutions to this issue, but we cannot keep ignoring it.

“Every child’s death is avoidable with proper action. I am committed to finding solutions that will prevent these heartbreaking accidents and ensure the safety of our children. Until we take meaningful action, more families will face unimaginable grief. Gun violence is a preventable tragedy, and it’s time we take responsibility for the lives at stake. How many more children must die before we act?”

Hamilton offers amendment to expand pre-k

Today, Feb. 19, State Rep. Carey Hamilton (D- Indianapolis) offered an amendment to the state budget that would expand eligibility for the On My Way Pre-K program. 

“In the last budget, the Republican supermajority carved out over $1 billion to expand the school voucher program to upper-income households," Hamilton said. "We are back two years later to craft the state budget with a proposal on the table to make the school choice voucher program universal (subsidizing private school tuition for even the wealthiest households), but we have done nothing to move the needle on pre-K. 

“Indiana remains one of only six states that lacks a state-funded pre-K program. Now, the wealthiest families in Indiana will have access to private school on the state dime, while 85% of our 4-year-olds still lack access to pre-K. Currently, to qualify for the state’s On My Way Pre-K program, a family of four must earn less than 127% of the federal poverty limit (FPL), or $38,100 per year. This amendment would increase eligibility to 400% of the FPL, or $128,600 for a family of four.

"My colleagues say they care about improving literacy and math skills for Hoosier students and this amendment helps achieve those goals. A Purdue University study found children in Indiana's On My Way Pre-K voucher program score higher in literacy skills, school readiness and language than children from similar economic backgrounds who attended lower-quality pre-K programs. It's time to make this program available to more Hoosier children.

“Expanding pre-K will not only improve academic performance but also boost our economy. According to research from Indiana University, investment in early care and learning provides a $4 return for every $1 spent. Parents forced to cut back hours or leave the workforce altogether because they can’t afford child care will be able to return to work earlier if they have access to pre-K. This small investment is a win-win for Indiana families and our economy.  It’s past time to join the majority of states and get this done.”

Dant Chesser fights for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library

Today, Feb. 19, State Rep. Wendy Dant Chesser (D-Jeffersonville) supported an amendment to the state budget that would have reinstated funding for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. Parton’s early literacy program mails free books to children under the age of 5 regardless of income or location. The program grew to all 92 counties in Indiana with a matching grant of $6 million in 2023. 

Dant Chesser gave the following floor speech in support of the program: 

“I fully support restoring and increasing state funding for Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. I’ve received more calls from Hoosiers in my area about restoring this funding than any other cut in the state budget. As of 2023, one in five third graders lacked basic reading skills. This program is a much-needed investment in Indiana’s future. 

“Two years ago, the General Assembly expanded this program statewide to make books available to children under five in every Indiana zip code. Dolly’s Library is free to the children enrolled, and local Imagination Library partners only pay 50% of their local program cost with the remaining 50% paid by the state. 

“As we consider the role of public funding to support Hoosier families, I implore you to consider how we foster a culture of lifelong learning. It starts with the family. Helping families establish a love of reading is the best way to spark the fire of gaining the knowledge contained in books. Future educational metrics, future workforce readiness, and future entrepreneurial goals – many of these priorities already passed out of this chamber, depend upon our success in early childhood. I urge your support of this amendment.” 

House Republicans strike down ‘A Budget for the People’

On Feb. 19, House Republicans rejected efforts by the Indiana House Democratic Caucus to craft a state budget that truly supports Hoosiers. State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D-Indianapolis) presented the proposal, which was offered as a master amendment to House Bill 1001. The amendment would have boosted programs centered on public health, K-12 education and more while still providing balanced tax relief. 

“The people spoke,” Porter said. “They did what they were supposed to do. They came to this legislative body and pleaded for the funding they needed in this budget. Once again, those pleas fell on the deaf ears of a supermajority.”  

Porter’s master amendment includes:

1. Protecting Medicaid:

1. Providing an additional $300 million for the Medicaid program to cushion potential federal cuts.

2. Increasing the cigarette tax to fund 5,000 slots for the PathWays for Aging Waiver and 5,000 slots for the Health and Wellness Waiver. 

3. Protecting the C.H.O.I.C.E. program and increasing its allocation to $55 million per year. 

2. Supporting our Children: 

1. Providing at least a true 2% increase to all schools. 

2. Making the On My Way Pre-K program universal by increasing the income eligibility threshold to 400% of the federal poverty level.  

3. Providing $8 million to continue Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library.

4. Restoring the Health First Indiana program to its 2023 allocation of $150 million. 

3. Creating Balanced Tax Relief: 

1. Increasing the income tax credit from 10% to 12%. 

2. Increasing the renter’s deduction from $3,000 to $4,000. 

4. Fighting for Financial Equity: 

1. Restoring the Indiana Commission for Women with an allocation of close to $227,000. 

2. Restoring the Commission of Race and Gender Fairness with an allocation of roughly $1.8 million, of which $500,000 is used to provide court interpreters for non-English speakers. 

5. Improving Quality of Life 

1. Preserving our outdoors with $30 million for trails and $25 million for land preservation.

2. Increasing the funding for our veteran's service organizations by $1.6 million.   

“Our budget would have helped Hoosiers during these unprecedented times,” Porter said. “From education to public health, we can do more to grow the quality of life in our state. Their vote against this proposal was a vote against Hoosiers.”