Advocacy Activity

This Week at the State House - Week One Update 

The 2026 Indiana General Assembly is underway following a brief pause in December, and the short session is moving quickly with more than 700 bills already filed. Healthcare policy continues to be discussed by lawmakers, with several measures advancing during the first week of committee activity.

The Senate Health & Provider Services Committee considered multiple healthcare-related bills. Legislation requiring explicit patient consent prior to pelvic, prostate, or rectal examinations advanced unanimously, aligning Indiana law more closely with federal standards. Lawmakers also approved a bill extending Indiana’s syringe exchange program for an additional ten years, signaling continued support for public health and harm reduction efforts.The committee also heard legislation focused on postpartum care for Medicaid recipients, aimed at improving follow-up appointment scheduling and maternal health outcomes. That measure was held for further discussion as lawmakers consider amendments related to provider responsibilities.

The House Public Health Committee will meet for the first time on the Morning of Tuesday, January 13th.

RHA is actively monitoring polies that:

  • Address downcoding, retroactive audits, and health claim payment practices

  • Establish Medicaid reimbursement expectations tied to Medicare rates

  • Expand or modify community benefit and nonprofit hospital requirements

  • Strengthen protections for healthcare workers

  • Support EMS services and rural healthcare infrastructure

IRHA continues to evaluate the potential impact of these proposals on rural hospitals and communities and will remain engaged with lawmakers throughout the session. Member input and real-world examples from rural facilities remain critical as these bills advance.Please contact Dan Hardesty ([email protected]) with any questions, input, or concerns.

Click here for IRHA's 2026 Bill Tracker

IRHA Releases 2026 Advocacy Priorities

Ensuring Comprehensive Care, Strengthening the Rural Workforce, and Building Healthier, Sustainable Communities

Advocacy Priorities
The Indiana Rural Health Association champions reliable access to high-quality comprehensive healthcare for every rural Hoosier. To do so, IRHA, advocates for policies that increase access for rural Hoosiers while also ensuring sustainable revenue for rural providers. Specifically ensuring fair and timely reimbursement from Medicare Advantage and other payers, preserving maternal and infant health services, and protecting essential programs such as 340B while reducing administrative barriers from prior authorization. IRHA also works to grow and sustain the rural health workforce by supporting education pipelines, residency and GME expansion, EMS training pathways, and incentives that promote long-term retention of clinicians across all disciplines. Another core priority is building healthier rural communities by strengthening health education, promoting nutrition and physical activity, and advancing infrastructure needs including transportation and broadband access to support in-person and telehealth.

Rural Health Transformation Program
Through the Rural Health Transformation Fund, the IRHA advocates for strategic investments that modernize rural healthcare and enhance community well-being. Priorities include directing funds to hospitals and providers for facility upgrades, adopting technologies that expand specialty care and chronic disease management, and creating innovative, value-based care solutions suited to the realities of rural practice. The program also supports expanding rural residency opportunities, reducing provider burnout through technology, launching remote patient monitoring and telehealth services, and enabling regions to design tailored solutions that address their own health challenges. This targeted investment strengthens the long-term sustainability of rural healthcare systems and the communities they serve.

IRHA unveiled its 2026 Advocacy Priorities at the Annual Public Policy Forum. Add your voice, share your story, and stand with us as a rural health advocate.

2026 IRHA Advocacy priorities

Indiana Rural Health Transformation Program

The Rural Health Transformation Program (RHT) is a $50 billion federal investment (FY 2026–2030) designed to strengthen access, stabilize the health workforce, expand technology, and encourage care innovation in rural America. States must apply for and administer these funds, shaping locally driven strategies that meet the needs of rural communities.

Indiana’s Process & Working Group
To guide Indiana’s participation, the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), in partnership with the Indiana Department of Health, has convened a statewide Working Group. This body brings together state leaders, legislators, and rural health representatives including the Indiana Rural Health Association (IRHA) to shape the state’s application, identify priorities, and ensure that rural voices are at the center of decision-making. Meeting materials, recordings, and participation details are available on the Indiana FSSA RHT Working Group page. Stakeholders are encouraged to attend sessions, review past discussions, and submit input to [email protected].

Key RHT Dates:

  • Optional Letter of Intent: September 30, 2025

  • Full Application Due: November 5, 2025

  • Expected CMS Awards & Earliest Start: December 31, 2025

Essential Resources:

IRHA Sends Letter to DC on Proposed Medicaid Cuts

Click here to view IRHA's letter to Indiana's Congressional delegation detailing the impact of proposed changes to the Medicaid program.

For additional questions or recommendations, please contact Dan Hardesty at the email address below.

Dan Hardesty, MPA

Director of Government Affairs
Indiana Rural Health Association
[email protected]