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| Lowering Health Care Costs |
Most working Hoosiers get their health insurance through their employer, which is a significant financial investment for the employer.
In an effort to help lower health care costs for Hoosiers, Senate Republicans are prioritizing a bill that would ensure businesses in the health insurance industry are acting in the best financial interest of their customers – the employers who provide health insurance for Hoosiers.
By legally requiring these companies to act in the plan sponsor's best financial interest, we can remove bad financial incentives that drive up the cost of health insurance. This would ultimately help ensure Hoosiers get access to more affordable health care.
Senate Bill 3 passed the Senate unanimously and now moves to the House for further consideration.
To learn more about this bill, click here. |
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| Indiana BEAD Program Update |
The Indiana Broadband Office (IBO) recently released a progress update on round one of the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment Program (BEAD) application process, which allows internet service providers (ISPs) to bid on installing broadband access to underserved or unserved communities and families across the state.
In round one, IBO received hundreds of applications from ISPs bidding to expand high-speed broadband access in rural communities around the state. The data the IBO collected showed:
- 755 valid applications submitted;
- 94% of eligible locations submitted at least one application; and
- 82% of eligible locations submitted more than one application, making the process more competitive.
I have been working on increasing rural communities' access to high-speed internet for years. In 2021, I authored Senate Enrolled Act 377, which required the Office of Community and Rural Affairs to establish the Indiana Broadband Connectivity Portal. Through this portal, families and businesses are able to submit a request that will bring broadband service to their address.
This year, I expanded that work by authoring Senate Bill 502, which would require companies that seek to attach broadband equipment to utility poles and receive federal or state funding to report on a quarterly basis to the IBO, which would allow the office to determine which areas are in the greatest need of broadband support.
In a world where almost everything is done digitally, it is more important than ever to ensure all Hoosiers have access to high-speed internet. After working to achieve this goal for years, I am glad to see such great progress being made. |
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| Catch Up Quickly: See Session Update Video |
This session, I'm posting video updates to keep you updated on what lawmakers are discussing. These videos cover updates to bills I have authored or general information on the happenings inside the Senate for that week.
To view the videos on my Facebook page, click here. |
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Freddie Hoover, 80 years old
Carol McLean, 81 years old
Patsy Clay, 82 years old
Paula Baird, 83 years old
Robert Calow, 84 years old
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Glenn Dazey, 85 years old
Janet Fowerbaugh, 86 years old
Joan Ellis, 87 years old
Joe Seward, 88 years old
Ray Welch, 89 years old
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