(Indianapolis, IN), January 27, 2023 — The Hoosiers for Health Care Access Coalition, including leaders from AARP Indiana, Americans for Prosperity, Indiana Chamber of Commerce, and the Indiana Farm Bureau, among others, will join state legislators at the Indiana State House urging immediate action to address the skyrocketing numbers of Hoosiers now living in health care deserts. SB 213 and HB 1330 will increase health access for the 2.4 million Hoosiers without basic primary health care access and remove regulatory roadblocks that restrict patient access to advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs).
Media are invited to attend this press conference to learn how passage of SB 213 and HB1330 would immediately benefit Indiana’s patients, businesses, seniors, and rural communities.
WHEN: Tuesday, January 31, 2023 from 12:00 p.m. to 12:30 p.m.
WHERE: South Atrium, Main Floor, Indiana State House, 200 W Washington Street, Indianapolis, IN 46204
WHO: State Representative Cindy Ledbetter (author of HB 1330); AARP Indiana; AFP Indiana; Indiana Farm Bureau; Indiana Chamber of Commerce; Coalition of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses and 100 APRNs
WHY: Today, over 2.4 million Hoosiers lack access to basic primary health care services – an increase of over 14% in just the last year. Further, 6.6 million don’t have access to mental health services. The recently released America’s Health Rankings by the United Health Foundation ranked Indiana 36th among states for primary care access, 43rd for mental health access, and 37th for health outcomes. Current state law prevents patients from receiving full and direct access to Indiana’s nearly 9,500 APRNs. SB 213 and HB 1330 is a no-cost, no-delay solution to increase access to health care for Indiana’s patients. It will strengthen care for seniors, improve health outcomes in rural and urban communities, and make Indiana a competitive employer.
MEDIA AVAIL: State Representative Cindy Ledbetter (author of HB 1330); AARP Indiana; AFP Indiana; Indiana Farm Bureau; Indiana Chamber of Commerce; CAPNI
Hoosiers for Health Care Access is a statewide coalition dedicated to expanding patient access to APRNs to meet our state’s growing health care needs. Over 2.4 million Hoosiers lack access to basic primary health care services in their community, and the federal government has designated 134 health care provider shortage areas across the state.