IBLC: Pryor, Shackleford elected to National Black Caucus positions

State Reps. Cherrish Pryor (D-Indianapolis) and Robin Shackleford (D-Indianapolis) were elected as treasurer and regional chair, respectively, at the National Black Caucus of State Legislatures (NBCSL) at the annual conference in Washington, D.C.

The NBCSL consists of over 700 legislators from around the United States working to create public policy and share ideas from all 50 state legislatures.

This marks Pryor's third term as treasurer for the national organization. As treasurer, Pryor is a member of the NBCSL's executive leadership team and will work at the helm to support lawmakers from across the country as they craft and champion legislation in their respective legislatures. The Executive Officers for the NBCSL were sworn in during the national conference last weekend in Washington D.C.

"I am honored my colleagues from across the country voted for me to serve another term as their treasurer," Pryor said. "My previous two terms allowed me to transition staff and our accounting system to better accommodate the organization. There is still work to be done and I am up to the task as we work to assist NBCSL members and provide them with resources that will help to improve our communities."

Pryor currently serves as State Representative for Indiana House District 94 and as House Democratic Floor Leader. Pryor previously served as chair of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus. She has also previously served as a Regional Chair, Regional Vice Chair, At-Large member and co-chair of the nominations committee with NBCSL.

This is Shackleford's first election as regional chair, which represents Indiana, Minnesota and Illinois. Her prior NBCSL executive positions included at-large member and committee woman. Shackleford currently serves as State Representative for Indiana House District 98 and chair of the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus Education Foundation.

"Strong, collaborative leadership translates to strong political movements and change, and I look forward to starting my role as regional chair," Shackleford said. "I plan to help continue the work we're doing in the Midwest to enhance the quality of life for residents across the board and help more people get engaged in their local government."

Shackleford: We cannot allow caregivers to be punished for GOP's $1 billion Medicaid shortfall

Last December, a report from the Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) revealed a massive forecasting error which resulted in a miscalculation of the funds needed to cover Medicaid expenses. The initial projection fell short of $1 billion dollars, forcing the FSSA to frantically to look for quick mitigation solutions. 

Republican lawmakers point to increased Medicaid enrollment during the COVID-19 pandemic, budget reversions and rising Medicaid enrollment as the reason behind the egregious error, though there is really no excuse that can justify this discrepancy. As a result of this blunder, $255.2 million will need to be appropriated prior to July 2024 to fund the program. In 2025, an additional $457.9 million will also need to be allocated. So, what does that mean for Hoosiers? FSSA is proposing to cut programs to save funding shortages created by an accounting error.

On Jan. 17, the FSSA released a statement proposing eight changes to help reduce costs. Among them is a plan to modify the Aged and Disabled Waiver. The proposal would forgo payments to Legally Responsible Individuals (LRIs) operating as Personal Care Attendants to those with disabilities. The consequences of this decision cannot be understated. Families across the state rely on the financial reimbursements offered through Medicaid Waivers to provide for those who need around-the-clock care. 

It is unconscionable that the FSSA is even considering halting financial assistance to caregivers. These reimbursements protect the most vulnerable in our state and punishing them for a GOP calculation error is no way acceptable. 

Families aren't the only ones pushing back. On Monday Jan. 29, the plan received pushback from the Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Task Force including Lt. Gov. Suzanne Crouch who called on the Family and Social Services Administration to pause their cuts to the paid-family caregiver program. I applaud these bipartisan elected officials for offering their support to Hoosier families, and I encourage everyone to add their voice to testify against FSSA's plan. We’re glad to see leaders from all sides of the political spectrum joining the call for action Democrats have been pushing for months.

I have also taken steps to reduce the harm of this proposed action. On Tuesday, Jan. 30, I offered an amendment to House Bill 1386 during the Public Health Committee that would prevent Medicaid from reverting their funds, which was done and contributed to their budget shortfall. Of course, one could argue it could have been prevented if the reversion had not taken place. This would be especially effective during a budget year when funding is on the line.  As our population ages, we will see a rise in seniors who need care, which of course means the numbers for Medicaid enrollment will rise as well. By restricting the reversion of Medicaid funds, we will ensure that a healthy budget is protected from further reduction. 

I also am heartened to see Hoosiers speak out and refuse to take these changes lying down. On Monday, Jan. 22, parents with disabled children rallied at the Statehouse to protest these changes by the FSSA. Due to the current nursing shortage, many parents have been forced to take up the torch as full-time caregivers. This obviously means these parents cannot likely hold a full-time job, placing a financial strain on these individuals and their families. But these parents still need to afford food, housing and other basic costs of living. The funds distributed by the FSSA allow these parents to do right for their children and still receive an hourly income. 

Currently, the FSSA is encouraging parents to transition towards Structured Family Caregiving (SFC) as an alternative. SFC offers a daily rate ranging from $30-70 depending on the provider agency. But by contrast, currently, LSI's can receive payments up to $15 an hour, which is clearly the more advantageous option.

It is imperative that we provide these parents with the support they need to keep their children alive. I find it ridiculous that these families are the ones paying for the mistakes made by Republican lawmakers. 

I encourage Hoosiers to stand up for the well-being of these families and advocate against the proposed Medicaid Waiver changes. Comments on the proposal can be emailed to DDRSwaivernoticecomment@fssa.IN.gov.

Alternatively, feedback can be sent via the following address: 
FSSA Division of Disabilities and Rehabilitative Services P.O. Box 7083, Indianapolis, IN 46027 Attn: Medicaid Waiver Amendments 

Public comments will be accepted until Feb 16, 2024. Together, we can show the FSSA that we will not accept the burden they wish to inflict on Hoosier families navigating medically complex health needs. I refuse to stand by while these families are thrown under the bus. I call on the FSSA to listen to Hoosier families and reconsider this ill-advised decision. 

Shackleford’s bills for the 2024 legislative session

Today, State Rep. Robin Shackleford (D-Indianapolis) announced her agenda for the 2024 legislative session. This year, Shackleford's legislative priorities center on implicit bias in health care, provisions for public health, tenant protections and providing vouchers for child care services.

Shackleford has filed the following bills:

• HB 1167: Requires the medical licensing board of Indiana to adopt rules requiring a physician and a physician assistant who apply for a license or renewal to complete continuing education addressing the topic of implicit bias.

• HB 1168: Requests the legislative council to assign a study of directing the legislative services agency to prepare a racial equity impact note for a legislative bill introduced in a session of the general assembly.

• HB 1166: Establishes the chronic weight management task force to study and make recommendations concerning chronic weight related diseases and Type 2 diabetes.

• HB 1195: Establishes the access to counsel in eviction task force (task force) to review matters related to the eviction process and potential funding sources to increase a tenant's access to counsel in an eviction proceeding.

• HB 1257: Provides that a household is eligible to begin receiving assistance under the federal Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) voucher program if the household's income eligibility by the office of the secretary of family and social services (FSSA): (1) has a household income that does not exceed 85% of Indiana's state median income for the household's family size; (2) includes an individual who is employed by a licensed child care center, a licensed child care home, or a licensed or registered child care ministry; and (3) otherwise meets federal eligibility requirements for the CCDF program.
  

" I am fully committed to protecting the health and safety of all Hoosiers, which is why my legislation focuses on supporting vulnerable individuals in our state," Shackleford said. "Far too many Hoosiers are susceptible to unfair treatment when seeking healthcare, sudden eviction and the extensive costs of child care. My legislation will ensure everyone in our state is given the same considerations, protections and opportunities for success regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, physical abilities/qualities, age, health status or financial position."

"It is up to the General Assembly to evaluate our public health systems, housing policies and financial assistance programs reflect the needs of everyone in our state. Simply put, the status quo is does not need of Hoosiers. We have an opportunity to get back on track and push for policies that support the well-being of all Hoosiers, so let's take it."