NEWS & VIEWS

November 6, 2025

Delayed and Forgone Care

As hospitals and health systems brace for financial uncertainty tied to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, one issue is drawing renewed focus: those who skip or delay care — often due to cost, coverage loss or access barriers.

This concern was recently highlighted among seven pressing questions for health system leadership, amid efforts to prepare for the ripple effects of the legislation. Leaders said delayed or forgone care, while still difficult to quantify, is a strategic priority.  

In July 2025, 36% of adults said they had skipped or postponed needed healthcare in the past year due to cost — a figure that rose to 75% among uninsured adults younger than 65, according to KFF.

Indiana General Assembly

Last month, Governor Braun called for a special session of Indiana's General Assembly to redistrict Indiana's Congressional maps to make a 9-0 Republican stronghold and to align Indiana's tax code with the provisions in H.R.1. The General Assembly has decided to incorporate that "special" business into the 2026 session, which starts on November 18, 2025 with Organization Day.

The business of the special session will start December 1, 2025 and go, according to lawmakers, no later than December 12, 2025. They will start the regular legislative session on January 5, 2026.

Aligning Work Requirements Across SNAP and Medicaid

Reductions in federal spending for the SNAP program coincide with future reductions in federal Medicaid spending enacted through H.R. 1. Community Engagement requirements (work requirements) for certain adults covered by the Medicaid expansion programs are also included in H.R. 1. SNAP and Medicaid serve largely overlapping low-income populations including individuals and families who often experience economic hardship and poorer health as a result.

Meeting SNAP work requirements exempts individuals from Medicaid work requirements. However, expanded SNAP work requirements may lead to fewer people qualifying for SNAP, and thus fewer qualifying as “specifically excluded” from Medicaid work requirements. As such, coordination between these programs is essential to ensure continued access to food and health care services for those who remain eligible. 

Employer-Sponsored Health Plans

Family premiums for employer-sponsored health insurance reached an average of $26,993 this year, KFF’s annual benchmark health benefits survey of large and smaller employers finds. On average, workers contribute $6,850 annually to the cost of family coverage, with employers paying the rest.

Over the past five years, the cumulative increase in family premiums (26%) and in what workers pay toward family premiums (23%) is similar to inflation (23.5%) and wage growth (28.6%).

About 154 million Americans under age 65 rely on employer-sponsored coverage, and the 27th annual survey of more than 1,800 employers with at least 10 workers provides a detailed picture of the trends affecting it. 

Media Literacy for Young People

Health experts as well as policymakers recognize the need to educate and support young people with skills to live a healthy, and well-informed life in the highly digital world. These media literacy skills — including health information literacy, mental health and self-regulation of social media use, online safety and wellbeing, and how media can impact health decision making — are essential for student learning and wellbeing today. 

Important considerations regarding media literacy are:

• Exposing educators and school professionals to the basic concepts and definitions 
• Demonstrating how media literacy is essential in health education today
• Reviewing evidence showing effectiveness related to better health decision making and outcomes
• Referencing media literacy skills in the National Consensus for School Health Education Standards
• Finding and sharing resources to increase the knowledge base and comfort levels around the topic

FIVE by 50

At this year’s KIDS COUNT® Conference, Indiana Youth Institute unveiled a bold, long-term vision for Indiana’s youth, FIVE by 50. 

By the year 2050, the vision is for every child in Indiana to be connected with at least five supportive, caring adults who help them thrive. These adults include family members, mentors, teachers, youth workers, coaches, and community partners, everyone who plays a role in helping young people succeed. 

Youth workers, youth-serving organizations, families, and caring adults each play a vital role in creating the web of support every child deserves. 

IYI is calling on youth workers and youth-serving organizations to make a commitment to reach this long-term statewide goal by saying with pride, “I’m one of five for Indiana kids.” 

• Youth-serving professionals can join the vision by signing up to stay updated and learning how to support this important work. 
• Organizations can commit as a FIVE by 50 partner and strengthen the web of care for every Indiana child. 

This important initiative will ensure that every young person in Indiana grows up surrounded by trusted adults who believe in them, guide them, and open doors to opportunity. 

Open Enrollment Resources

Marketplace open enrollment for 2026 coverage is in full swing! CKF-IN has social media graphics and a "key messages" document for your agency's use.

Contact Amy Chandler achandler@ckfindiana.org with questions on use.

Marketplace Information and Resources

A recent brief from the Urban Institute, Assessing Marketplace Coverage for Parents and Children, found that policy changes between 2019 and 2025 positively affected the affordability of Marketplace coverage, and enrollment surged as a result. In 2025, 4.8% of parents and 3.4% of children had Marketplace coverage. Marketplace enrollment is expected to drop in 2026 as enhanced premium tax credits are set to expire at the end of the year.

Meanwhile, Marketplace open enrollment started November 1^st. Here are some resources helpful to Navigators and others interested in educating consumers:

• Marketplace Key Messages and Social Media Graphics – Covering Kids & Families has compiled some key messages and social media graphics.
• Young Invincibles Toolkit and Resources – Young Invincibles is a national nonprofit advocacy organization committed to working on issues impacting young adults ages 18-34. They have been producing materials for Marketplace open enrollment since 2013.
• Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Enrollment Resources – This site offers toolkits, images, educational materials and more for outreach activities. 
• ACA Advance Premium Tax Credit (APTC) Calculator – KFF offers an easy-to-use calculator in English and Spanish to help consumers compare what they will pay in premiums for 2026 coverage without the enhanced credits that are set to expire the end of the year. 

2024 Health Insurance Estimates

During a recent webinar, State Health Access Data Assistance Center (SHADAC) researchers shared 2024 health insurance estimates using American Community Survey (ACS) and Current Population Survey (CPS) data. 

Speakers discussed data trends at the national and state levels, and dug into more granular data by coverage type (private, public, uninsurance) and other demographic categories (age, geography, poverty level, etc.). U.S. Census Bureau, Assistant Division Chief Sharon Stern, answered questions following the discussion.

Missed the webinar? There is a recording, presentation slides, and a written transcript on the SHADAC website.

ArgAbility's Youth Resources

ArgAbility is an organization that aims to "enhance quality of life for farmers, ranchers, and other agricultural workers with disabilities." They recognize that many youth with disabilities are involved in agriculture in various ways, including FFA and 4-H.  Check out this page on their website specific to youth that provides resources, trainings, and fact sheets.  

National Family Caregivers Month

Covering Kids & Families staff recognize and honor the family caregivers in Indiana. CKF is grateful for the vital support caregivers give to loved ones while navigating complex systems. 

State Strategies to Support Working Caregivers

70 percent of family caregivers are employed, and 40 percent are salaried workers. To address potential stress and strain on caregivers and their employers, many states are working with businesses, communities, and organizations to better support working caregivers. This can improve caregivers’ financial stability and workforce retention.

This new brief shares current data about family caregivers and highlights a range of policy approaches states are taking to support working family caregivers.

Strengthening the Respite Care Workforce: State Training and Registries


A robust and well-trained respite care workforce can help ensure caregivers have access to high-quality respite services.

Learn more about how states can utilize the National Respite Care Provider Training (NRCPT) and workforce registries to strengthen their respite care workforce.

Meeting the Vaccination Needs of Patients

Who Are Refugees

Join Indiana Immunization Coalition to learn more about ensuring that refugee families receive the vaccines they need to keep them free of serious and preventable illness!

The speaker will be Pyae Kyaw, MPH. Pyae is a Public Health Administrator, Refugee and International Health, at the Indiana Department of Health.

This webinar is on December 10, 2025, from 3–4 p.m. ET.

Site-Neutral Payment Model Legislation 

NASHP is hosting a webinar about the recently released site-neutral payment model legislation for state policymakers. 

Implementation of the model’s provisions may reduce health care costs for states, employers, and individuals — without affecting quality of care.

This webinar is November 18, 2025, from 3–4 p.m. ET.

Are Kids Using Nicotine In The Classroom?

What To Look For And How To Talk About Risks

A recent article from Truth Initiative reveals that discreet nicotine products, such as flavored oral pouches and sleek, high-tech e-cigarettes, are increasingly being used by students in middle and high schools, often hidden in pencil cases, backpacks, or bathrooms. The organization urges schools to take a supportive rather than punitive approach when addressing student nicotine use, emphasizing education and access to resources instead of punishment. Truth Initiative also encourages schools to provide staff training to recognize the signs of modern nicotine use and to connect students with free, evidence-based prevention and cessation programs.

© 2024 Covering Kids & Families of Indiana | All Rights Reserved