Navigating healthcare is tough—soaring costs, confusing policies, and limited access to essential services. But Indiana lawmakers are working on solutions! In this episode of Session Sessions, Rep. Earl Harris Jr. and Rep. Blake Johnson sit down with Rep. Robin Shackleford, a leader in public health policy, to discuss cutting healthcare costs, Medicaid funding, medical transparency, and maternal health.

Learn about the push for lower drug prices, better healthcare access, and more support for Hoosier families. Don’t miss this deep dive into Indiana’s biggest health challenges and the policies aiming to fix them!

Show Notes
Topics Covered:

The high cost of healthcare – Why are hospital bills so expensive?

• Medical transparency laws – Can we finally see real pricing before treatment?
• Medicaid shortfalls – How Indiana is dealing with a billion-dollar “oops.”
• Preventative care & obesity solutions – Should Medicaid cover weight-loss drugs?
• The maternal health crisis – Why Indiana ranks poorly for maternal mortality rates.
• Nursing & doctor shortages – How loan forgiveness could bring more healthcare professionals to Indiana.
• Home healthcare struggles – Are untrained caregivers putting Hoosiers at risk?

Key Takeaways:

• Medical Costs: Indiana lawmakers are demanding transparency from hospitals to lower prices.
• Medicaid Reform: The state faces a billion-dollar healthcare funding shortfall, but cutting services isn’t the answer.
• Maternal Mortality Crisis: Indiana ranks among the worst states for maternal deaths—what’s being done?
• New Legislation: Bills are in the works to expand preventative care, lower cancer research costs, and improve access to doctors.