Indiana residents now have a concern about their healthcare, which perhaps they didn’t have before. In his past career as Indiana Governor, Vice President-Elect Mike Pence was one of the ten Republican governors to support Medicaid Expansion under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). However, Pence’s version of the expansion under Healthy Indiana Plan 2.0 included a more conservative approach—where expansion was contingent upon rigid guidelines and qualifications for the low income families in Indiana seeking healthcare.
His move toward expansion was also unique compared to other states due to Indiana’s payment requirement. Pence’s plan required all who were enrolled in Medicaid to pay at least $1 a month placed into a special account, to make them mindful of the costs of their healthcare. Pence has previously regarded this move as a success, stating Indiana not only benefitted from fewer ER visits, but also in paying doctors for their time with low income patients. It bolstered the hospital economy as well, from urban to rural communities.
While some may view even one dollar is substantial to the impoverished, many still viewed Healthy Indiana Plan 2.0 as a step in the direction towards increasing healthcare coverage, despite Pence’s vocalized desire for repeal of the ACA. Now, as the ACA repeal plans are presumably in motion, have Pence’s opinions on Medicaid expansion changed?