Newsletters
Fall 2019 Newsletter
We’ve got a lot to celebrate this month as we prepare for the 2020 legislative session! In November we’re building on our victories to fight for Indiana where we can all succeed.
Launching Our Vision for 2020
Over 200 Hoosiers from across Southern Indiana joined us in Martinsville on Saturday, November 2nd to launch our vision for a brighter Indiana! Hoosiers from a variety of backgrounds and 18 counties attended! From faith leaders to moms, college students, and grandfathers, Hoosiers with different life experiences and backgrounds came together on Saturday to build community across their differences and fight for a different future for our state.
At the event, we heard stories from everyday Hoosiers who’ve made the decision to fight for an Indiana where we can all succeed. We also put forward our agenda for 2020. Next year, we are going to fight to:
Protect pregnant workers and new mothers
Notify Hoosiers about environmental toxins in their homes
Stop predatory payday lending
Respond to the addiction and overdose crisis
Improve Medicaid in Indiana
Twanni and Elaine shared their stories of working while pregnant.
We also want to thank If It Was Your Child, The Indiana Recovery Alliance, and The Concerned Clergy of Indianapolis for joining us on Saturday as well as State Representative Karen Engleman and State Representative Sharon Negale for providing audio and written statements.
We were especially excited that State Representative Matt Pierce and State Senator Eddie Melton were able to join us and share their insights on the legislative process!
Finally, a big thank you to The First Baptist Church of Martinsville and our Morgan County Members for their hospitality. Saturday would not have been possible without their hard work!
Medicaid Work Requirements Suspended
Back in January, we found out that the state was going to institute work reqreuiments on the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP), part of the state’s Medicaid program. These unnecessary reporting requirements would cover fewer people and cost the state more money. An estimated 53,000 to 88,000 Hoosiers would have lost their coverage and 35.1 million dollars would have been drained from state resources if this program had gone into full effect!
Many experts were resigned to this new policy, but we started to organize. Since January Hoosier Action has held over 100 meetings across small towns and rural Indiana from Town Halls to meetings with providers. We contacted over 10,000 people, collected thousands of signatures, and held a rally and press conference in Indianapolis, which received coverage in over 15 media outlets.
We rallied and held a press conference in Indianapolis on July 1st, the day the work requirements began!
In addition to the on-the-ground organizing,Indiana Legal Services and the National Health Law Program filed a lawsuit to block Indiana’s Medicaid work requirement. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of four Hoosiers, including one surfaced through Hoosier Action’s extensive outreach efforts.
New Stop Sign in New Albany
Our newest chapter in New Albany won its first victory in October: a stop sign on Cherry St! When we knocked on doors on Cherry St, we heard from dozens of Hoosiers who were concerned about dangerous traffic conditions on their street. Members of the community came together, shared their stories with city officials, and got what they demanded: a stop sign to slow down speeding cars!
New Albany organizer Will and member Myra celebrating the new stop sign!
We’re Organizing Moms
Are you a Hoosier Mom? Join our newest team! Organizer and proud Hoosier Mom Eva Bell is bringing together Hoosier Moms to build an Indiana where families can thrive! Join them Wednesday evening November 13th at our Monroe County Offices (1461 W. Bloomfield Rd, Bloomington, IN) from 6 pm-7:30 pm. Kids are welcome and snacks will be provided! Email eva@hoosieraction.org to get involved.
Hoosier Moms shared their rousing statement at our November 2nd!
Join Us This Month
There are lots of ways across the state to get involved this month! As always, childcare and transportation are available upon request. We start on time, end on time and urge you to stay for the entire meeting.
At the Statehouse
We’re traveling to Indianapolis to attend a Medicaid Advisory Board Hearing and meet with our state legislators on Thursday, November 19th from 10 am-2 pm. This is a powerful opportunity to share your HIP story with decision-makers and the wider public. Transportation will be provided. Email tracey@hoosieraction.org for more information or to RSVP.
In Bloomington
Recently became a member? Want to learn more about what we do? Join us this Sunday, November 10th from 2:30 pm-3:00 pm for our New Member Orientation at our Monroe County Offices (1461 W. Bloomfield Rd). Email georgann@hoosieraction.org for more information or to RSVP.
As always, our South Central Member Meeting will be the second Sunday of the month. Join us Sunday, November 10th from 3:00 pm-5 pm at our Monroe County Offices (1461 W. Bloomfield Rd). This Sunday’s meeting will focus on our Legislative Team Plan, including leadership training. Email georgann@hoosieraction.org or more information or to RSVP.
Learn how to build a team and fight for our 2020 legislative agenda on Wednesday November 20th from 6:00 pm-7:30 pm at our Monroe County Offices (1461 W. Bloomfield Rd). Email georgann@hoosieraction.org for more information or to RSVP.
In Franklin
Join us on Monday November 18th at 6:30 pm at the Second Baptist Church of Franklin for a Legislative Team Leadership Training. Email tasha@hoosieraction.org for more information or to RSVP.
In Martinsville
Come to our Legislative Team Leadership Training on November 21st at 6:30 pm at the First Christian Church of Martinsville. Email tasha@hoosieraction.org for more information or to RSVP.
In New Albany
We’re holding our Legislative Team Leadership Training in New Albany, location TBA soon, on Monday, November 18th at 6:00 pm. Email will@hoosieraction.org for more information or to RSVP.
Save the Date: Take Action at the Statehouse on January 15th, 2020!
Last time we went to the statehouse we held a People’s Hearing on the Opioid Crisis.
We’re packing the statehouse on Wednesday, January 15th! We’re going to take our fight for a brighter Indiana to Indianapolis. We’ll share our stories, hold a press conference, and talk directly to legislators. We’ll provide transportation from across the region. If you’re interested in joining the planning team, reach out to georgann@hoosieraction.org.
Join us!
Hoosier Action is a community organization made-up of members from local chapters and across the state. We work to build an Indiana where regular people have a say in the decisions that affect their lives. We have hundreds of members from South Bend to Seymour and everywhere in between. We run campaigns, hold trainings, and develop local leadership in the areas where we work; changing hearts and minds (and winning!) along the way.
Change both lives and politics in Indiana: become a member of Hoosier Action today!