(Music) >> Thousands of Hoosiers losing healthcare coverage.

Lawmakers set to study cannabis again.

Plus, Holcomb officially passes on the Senate and more.

From the television studios at the FYI, it's Indiana Week in Review for the week ending June 23, 2023.

>> Indiana Week in Review is made possible by the supporters of Indiana Public Broadcasting stations.

>> This week, more than 52,000 Hoosiers were removed from Medicaid in the state second month of the unwinding process.

Indiana Public Broadcasting's Violet Comber-Wilen reports that in addition to the nearly 52,000 Hoosiers who lost coverage in April.

>> The public health emergency allowed Hoosiers to retain continuous Medicaid coverage, even if they did not meet certain income or other eligibility requirements.

The emergency ended on March 31, with Indiana beginning to on enroll Medicaid recipients over a 12 month period.

The newest data from May shows that over 165,000 Hoosiers were up for renewal.

Of those, about 44,000 Hoosiers lost coverage due to procedural reasons and more than 9000 were determined ineligible.

Those who lost coverage due to procedural regions, such as lack of updated information or paperwork, have 90 days to update paperwork and could have other coverage in the meantime.

If disenrollments continue at this rate, nearly 600,000 Hoosiers could lose their Medicaid coverage.

>> How concerning are these coverage removals?

It is the first question for our Indiana Week in Review panel.

Democrat Ann DeLaney, publican Mike O'Brien, Jon Schwantes host of Indiana lawmakers and Casey Smith, no relation reporter for the 'Indiana Capital Chronicle'.

I'm Indiana Public Broadcasting Statehouse Bureau Chief Brandon Smith, Mike O'Brien, is this the sort of thing that's going to have a ripple effect across the entire healthcare industry?

>> These people have had coverage for a long time since the start of the national emergency.

Why they're losing coverage the state is trying to address.

Also Taylor the Medicaid director said the state is exploring some options so if you did not respond, if you responded inaccurately because it's not easy, you're getting forms in the mail and you reapply or test you do meet eligibility requirements and you should be able to stay on the rules.

Some people are is going to not know they got rolled off until they seek care and they will get a bill and the provider will not know when the moment whether or not they're eligible or not so I think the state has taken steps to say maybe we need to ask CMS if we cannot roll them off if it is just a procedural issue that we can go get it fixed or get some timeframe or expand the timeframe.

They are looking at that now.

In reaction to what is happening.

>> This is not solely Indiana although Indiana had one of the highest rates of dropped coverage in the country so far.

Other states are holding off on even going through this process yet.

But the Biden administration this week was asking states who are dropping people from coverage if it is a paperwork issue like could you give them 90 days or something, because this is going to have real problems.

>> It will deftly affect people.

And I think the Biden administration's approach is exact right.

In the states, for that matter.

Reach out to these people because the vast majority of them are procedural or paperwork oriented, not eligibility determined.

And if we can get them back on, I mean all this points out is (Laughs) Why we really need medical -- Medicare for all.

We should not be going through this stuff.

We should not be getting mailings from insurance companies that we don't understand.

We should not be having to deal and waste time and effort on all of this.

People should have universal coverage and frankly, it ought to be run like Medicare.

I thought so for a long time and all of this reinforces that.

I mean, the people you're asking in many cases to fill out the paperwork already overwhelmed for a variety of different reasons.

Whether medical or you know, work-related or whatever it is.

And we need to make sure that we do everything we can, state and federal, to keep these people covered.

Otherwise it is going to be a crisis.

>> One of the sort of short- term impacts, even if a lot of these people end up coming back on you talk -- you talked about some reason, you go to the hospital and you'll find out you don't have coverage anymore hospitals will have to deal with it because love hospitals right now have counselors who go "OK, let's get you signed up.

up."

those people are going to get overwhelmed too.

>> We talked to a few people, admins and hospitals already and this is been a concern for them for months already.

I think there has been some preparation but I don't know how effective it is going to be as we see the next couple of months rollout.

I know Locke makers -- lawmakers said they were, more mitigation maybe on the way.

>> I want to ask partly is there anything long-term sort of structural changes that might come out of this whole process?

But I also want to point out when we are talking about the people who were being dropped from coverage, we just saw it, I think the piece mentions this, in the last month alone something like 85% of the people who are dropped from Medicaid in Indiana was because of paperwork issues.

Not they are no longer eligible.

There are some of those people but not those, it is "We did not your from you or you did not fill this out right."

that is a staggering number, is it not?

>> It is a staggering number when you think about the percentages involved here.

And it does lend some credence to this notion that the administration, the Biden administration has put forth about finding some way to give these folks some latitude or wiggle room.

The suggestion therefore is there a way that some of these problems, these traps can be mitigated in the future either through some new application process or some sort of new mechanism by which people can avoid these types of things, that is likely to come up.

Let's keep in mind even with the people who are not paperwork issues who just fell off the rules, the issue here is the money, the expense does not go away really, I think a lot of people say "Hallelujah we just cut X" but what happens is >> Medicaid will grow accidentally.

>> Is not just Medicaid.

You don't get rid of people.

They don't just disappear.

What happens is you have people who probably put off care, any kind of preventative care, any testing, any sort of if they are diabetic, have heart conditions, breathing conditions, put it off, they can't afford a doctor.

They will end up in the hospital eventually and they will be treated and the care does not just magically happen.

>> If they are knowledgeable presumably they do qualify.

>> They will hire for healthcare.gov or something.

>> Or Obama care.

>> The expense does not go away.

>> They will not be without care entirely but it will prevent some from seeking the kind of preventative care.

And we know our state we have seen study after study, doing great - on the health front, this certainly does not push us along.

>> Lawmakers were sending the alarms for redetermination because they were concerned about this exact scenario.

The fiscal guys in leadership, what is the number one thing that keeps you up at night, growing Medicaid costs.

When you look at the whole pie, the budget pie, you have some big competing interests and you have Medicaid growing excellently.

K-12 is starting to sweat because where are they going to go for that money?

>> You're not going to vouchers.

>> There's not a lot of places to go beyond K-12, higher, Medicaid and DOC.

>> How about vouchers?

>> What about the district?

Can we get the money back?

>> I think the money has been spent by now.

For the second year in a row, Indiana lawmakers will examine cannabis legalization during their study committee period the Republican leaders are still downplayed the possibility of actual legalization.

Lawmakers on the public health study committee spent hours last year hearing testimony from both supporters and opponents of cannabis legalization.

This year, the commerce and not development study committee will consider the issue.

House Speaker Todd Houston says the focus will be on employment issues and teen use.

>> You're starting to see data come out across states that have legalized that I think is important to analyze and understand.

>> Still come on asked whether the study committee is a step towards legalization, Republic leaders say they are just gathering information.

Senate Democratic Leader Greg Taylor says while the GOP is focused on the negative of cannabis use, he is focused on the benefits.

>> I think cannabis is, it's inevitable.

>> The committee will meet in the coming months.

>> Ann DeLaney, just getting the lawmakers to even consider the word "Cannabis" felt like a big win a year ago.

This is two years in a row we will have Jenna when my genuine study committees.

Is this momentum?

>> $$CAPITALISE's momentum.

It helps the momentum that states all around us are having this momentum as well.

And we ought to go ahead with it because it will add momentum to the notion that the federal government has to deal with this problem which has to happen first.

They have to take it off the listing for controlled substances and legalize it so the banks and the normal business model can be put in place but I think to the extent that we look at it and we see what is happening around us and we adopt it, it does give some momentum to the federal government to actually deal with the problem which has to happen.

>> I agree with Greg Taylor.

We talked about this before, it feels and never let some point.

Is that a lot closer when you consider the moves that the general assembly is making?

>> I think they are drilling down onto major areas of concern.

What is it do to employees and employers?

>> The Chamber of Commerce has been one of the leading voices against any sort of legalization.

>> Maybe you can counteract that with some good data from other states, it is been shown the impact is not what they think it is.

The second part is teen use.

Underage use.

What happens to the black market?

Is it harder on police?

Easier?

Studies show it goes down.

Youth use goes down because it's in a regulated environment and they cannot get it.

>> I think there's still some major blockades here.

The speaker is not thrilled with this.

Generally, he is letting this conversation go forward and promoting conversation in the areas where he is concerned.

But there is no universal agreement that this is inevitable in the way that has been in other states.

What could happen is it gets, there's a growing conscript my concern gets rescheduled then the Fed legalizing it so we create a national framework and we missed about.

We are not creating a whole market here so to speak.

>> What we 38th and adopting that?

>> It is game of legal chicken that you're playing with the federal government.

It's never a good game to play with the federal government because who knows when they will do anything on anything.

But John, we talked about this on so many issues all the time.

Some issues at the Statehouse just take years to happen.

And it takes study committees, and getting partially through the general assembly because it just takes getting lawmakers comfortable with an issue with a feel like "Of got my head around it now.

Let's move forward."

there's always going to be opposition whenever this happens.

But how big a step is the fact this is now two years in a row?

They are not just saying "Let's talk about it in the abstract" they are drilling down to specific issues.

Is this realism?

>> It is.

I think we've seen that momentum even prior to the sessions that you just addressed.

I think a big change talk about this is for many Republicans for instance is when you have some of the veterans groups who were hardly bastions of liberalism, Indianapolis-based American Legion saying "We want our members to have this."

people started hearing from constituents, people you would not imagine ever using this or finding relief for ailments and chronic illness and so forth.

>> The bills that were for years, that were authored at the Statehouse for any sort of legalization were solely written by Democrats, mostly by Karen Talley and former Senator.

>> I remember we had the state chair of the Democratic Party at one point saying the three issues they're going to push for marijuana, marijuana and marijuana.

>> That was a terrible idea, by the way.

>> Even mind this is not just about whether decriminalization or legalization I guess is even more complicated because you have to set up, this is not a surprise to members of the general assembly, this is what they are anticipating.

The regulatory system and the distribution system and the production, those are big dollar, remember how when he first entered into legal gaming and who will get casino licenses?

When you look at other states who will grow it?

Who will distribute it?

Will it be an open market or will it be set number of licenses will be given?

>> Who will monitor it?

>> These are issues, it is more than just can you smoke it or not.

>> And pointed out there is increasing pressure on Indiana to do this because most or all of our surrounding states have at least taken a step towards some sort of legalization of cannabis at this point.

But it is also helping Indiana?

Because Indiana does not love to be first on most things.

>> (Laughs) >> It doesn't.

Except for gaming and maybe a couple other things.

But it loves when it can go "A bunch of other states have done this.

Let's see the good and bad of how they did it.

it."

how much will that help this process move forward quicker?

>> I think a little bit.

That was the conversation we heard earlier in the session when there was the committee discussion although there about marijuana, we heard from lawmakers on both sides of the aisle that was potentially a benefit for them.

But then we saw the bill that ended up going nowhere, not the same wheelhouse necessarily but similar.

They could not get enough traction to push that through.

And we were one of the if not the last state to still have kratom.

Illegal here.

Maybe, maybe not.

>> Time now for viewer feedback.

Each week we pose nonscientific online poll question.

This quiz -- weeks question: Should Indiana legalize cannabis in some form?

A.

Yes, for medicinal use only B.

Yes, for adult recreational use or C. No.

Last week's question Ken Curtis Hill and the Republican nomination for governor?

91% say no.

I'm not nearly as competent as that 91%.

If you want to take part in the poll go to WFYI.org/IWIR and look for the poll.

Eric Holcomb says he's too busy as governor to run for Indiana's open U.S. Senate seat in 2024.

That is why the term limited governor says he made the decision which was first reported by the Indiana capital Chronicle and reporter Casey Smith.

>> Congressman Jim Banks is the only Republican currently running for the open Senate seat.

And with former Governor Mitch Daniels passing on a bed many turn to Holcomb to give Bank some competition.

Holcomb says he's focused on his current job.

>> If I was sitting around throwing pencils in the ceiling tile maybe I would've had time to think about something else but right now, I'm going to finish the job that I started.

>> The governor says it's not yet time for them to consider what is next step will be but he expects to have options.

>> Casey, you drove all the way out to the area to talk to the governor first last week but are you surprised that he's just taking a pass?

>> Maybe a little bit.

But based on some of the comments that I thought, the implication of some comments he made earlier this year that seem to be more federally or nationally focused, it is kind of I thought was setting the stage for maybe a Senate run.

I also asked him, though, has he closed the door on or run post 2024?

And he said no.

So I would've been more surprised if he said he closed the door on something after 2024.

He is also endorsed Mike Pence for president so maybe he has other aspirations potentially.

In that realm should something happen there.

>> (Laughs) >> If he's waiting on Mike Pence presidency I imagine he has other options that is probably exploring before that.

Let me ask about that, because that struck me as well in your story which was he's not running in 2024, he made that abundantly clear.

He's leaving it open for the future.

I don't think Todd Young is going to run.

Whoever gets in 2024 assuming it is Jim Banks at this point, I would guess he wants to be there for more than a term.

It would be a while before there's an open seat again theoretically.

Wasn't it kind of now or never?

>> I don't think so.

I mean, we kind of come more perhaps in our perception but this is not a do or die moment for him I think.

He is still relatively young.

He's not even, he never would be taken seriously as a presidential candidate because he is not well into his 60!

He's 30 years too young.

He's got plenty of time.

I do think he will, politics is in his blood.

As soon as he got out of the Navy I think his first job was working in a congressional office.

And he has worked in and around politics not as an elective official necessarily but in that ecosystem.

The whole time.

You don't just when you are that hooked on that drug you don't just give it up.

He will be back.

Or maybe I should say he will never go away.

It just may be in some manner will be around the process.

Unless he gets the surprise and be a contract, I noticed his name did not show up on the ticker in the NBA draft.

I guess something around public policy is where we will see him.

>> Mike, I think it's fair to say you know the governor a little bit.

What do you think makes sense for Eric Holcomb post his time as governor?

>> I think is working through that now.

But I also think, this is a guy who has lived the year where if you would've -- if you would've said no that would've been insane and that was 2016.

In 2015 we are trying to predict what would happen and now we are sitting in 2023 predicting what will happen in 2024.

If I tried to predict what would've happened in 2016 I would've gotten everything will because we started that year with the Mike Pence run and two months later Eric Holcomb and Mike Pence are running for Governor and Lieutenant Governor.

Three months later Eric Holcomb and Sudan mixes on -- are running.

It would've been foolish based on his life experience saying he has no plans for 54 years old to run again.

>> I will say this it felt like Holcomb was the last Republican who could have given Jim Banks any sort of contest in the primary.

I think I asked this when Mitch Daniels took a pass, I'll ask it again now, are you surprised that in a wide open U.S. Senate seat in the state of Indiana that the Republican primary is going to clear a path for one person?

>> They conceded the Republican primary to the right wing.

That is what they've done.

They are afraid.

This was the best shot Eric Holcomb had if you ever wanted to go to the U.S. Senate and it is fun, maybe lightning will strike and Jim Banks got for but has a heart attack.

Maybe there are things like that.

>> What's wrong with you?

>> That is what it would take.

If you did not make the move this year he is not running again, period.

So the reason he did not make the run this year is not because he cannot multitask, I know the thing on men is they cannot do that but I think he could've run for governor and senator at the same time, probably would've He is not done anything while he is there so he had all the time in the world!

He could raise money more easily as well.

He is not running again and the Republican Party has conceded the state of Indiana to the right wing crazies.

Period.

>> The thing I agree with is it seems like it would take an act of God for Jim Banks to not at least get the nomination for the Senate.

>> God help us all.

>> And Indiana chapter of the national group 'Moms for Liberty' is facing, let me try that again.

His facing backlash after quoting Adolf Hitler in their newsletter.

Indiana public broadcasting's Kirsten Adair reports the group apologized for the Indiana Democratic Party and local politicians denounced the group's use of the quote.

>> The Hamilton County chapter included this quote from Hitler on the front page of its newsletter: "He alone, who owns the youth, gains the future."

after backlash, chapter The Hitler quote pattern explanation that it was meant to put parents on alert so they will remain vigilant and protect their children from government overreach.

Soon after, 'Moms for Liberty' apologized and removed the quote.

Critics like Tim Craddick State Senator JD Ford condemned the chapter's use of the quote.

He said in a statement "6 million Jewish people lost the lives because of the rhetoric and ideals that were pushed by Hitler."

the state went on to say the Americans fought in World War II to stop Hitler's hateful, anti-Semitic linkage and views.

The national founders of 'Moms for Liberty' say their goal is to empower parents to get involved in education.

The group has been labeled as an extremist group by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

>> Jon Schwantes, there's an apology from the group about less than 24 hours after the newsletter was out.

Is this issue over and done?

>> I don't know.

It serves as a reminder and and has the book Politics for Dummies in its fourth edition.

I have a first if anybody wants to bid on it.

Maybe the book should has a chapter that says "If you ever, ever, ever thinking about quoting Adolf Hitler in a political sphere, at all, we will get you another thousand quotes that are not from Hitler and from people on the world hate list who can talk about the importance of bringing youth up the right way or the influence that adults can have on youth, etc.." there is your next chapter you need to work on.

>> I asked if it is over and that I saw the national group here today as we take this on Friday a little earlier in the day, accuse the Indystar of irresponsible journalism for writing about this I guess.

And said that the use of the quote was wrong and noted that the group apologized, the local chapter apologized but also was sort of defending the use of the quote.

I will ask again, is this over?

>> I hope not.

(Laughs) >> Is not something I enjoy writing about.

I think for the Star I read the multiple iterations of the story, the continuous coverage.

They just reported on what was said in the newsletter got more context once they were able to get a hold of the 'Moms for Liberty' group and went through the day with that.

I think this is a group we have seen at the state house a lot during session on multiple issues.

A lot of education issues for example.

I don't think they're going away.

To be seen will come in the coming session.

>> That is kind of the context as well as we are not just picking on some random tiny group that does not matter to anybody.

This is an increasingly influential group in some circles, primarily central Indiana, we are seeing them in school board races, they had some success in school board races last year.

But at the same time, is this just a symbol of they made a stupid mistake, they apologized, it's over?

>> No, I don't think so.

I think it is a window into their soul.

They are absolutely tone deaf.

They confused freedom with anger.

And they are angry!

Their anger about everything.

At teachers, school boards, legislatures, the governmnt.

Without any real thought about it.

To use that quote and attribute it to Adolf Hitler is unforgivable.

>> The thing that struck me about not going to say is 'Moms for Liberty' necessarily it was all this but the last couple of years of folks particularly anger over COVID and vaccines and masks, they cite it's all about Nazi Germany which it really is not.

>> Of mice and men is on the shelf.

>> That's Indiana Week in Review for this week.

Our panel is McCright Ann DeLaney, Republican Mike O'Brien, Jon Schwantes of Indiana lawmakers and Casey Smith of the Indiana capital Chronicle.

You can find Indiana Week in Review's podcast episodes at You can find Indiana Week in Review's podcast episodes@thefyi.org/JWIR or on - the PBS App.

I'm Brandon Smith immediate public broadcasting.

Join us next time because a lot can happen in an Indiana Week.

(Music) >> The opinions expressed are solely those of the panelists.

Indiana Week in Review was a wfyi production and association with