NEWS & VIEWS

January 15, 2026

2026 Indiana Legislative Session

After a December of redistricting, the Indiana General Assembly (IGA) has returned to tackle the mountain of bills filed for this short session. Of the hundreds of bills, CKF is tracking those bills related to Medicaid, schools, immigration, housing, public health, and more. (Each link directs to the bills CKF is tracking in that category.)

Some bills to take note of are:

• SB 78 Wireless Communication Device Policy - This bill would require schools to have a policy not allowing students to have devices during the school day. The biggest concern voiced was that parents worry about not being able to contact their student in the event of a school shooting.
• SB 159 School Technology Plans and Policies - This bill is similar to SB 78, but expands scope to tablets and other technology supplied by the school, and addresses the ability of parents to limit access when device is at home.
• SB 275 FSSA Fiscal Matters - This bill lowers income limits in certain categories of Traditional Medicaid (Aged, Blind and Disabled) and categories of programs for Medicare beneficiaries. The bill drops the income guidelines by lowering the percentage of Federal Poverty Level (FPL) used when determining eligibility. 
• HB 1001 Housing Matters - This bill covers a bevy of housing topics, but focuses on requirements for new construction, zoning matters, and definitions of terms.
• HB 1004 Various Education Matters - This 168-page bill addresses everything from curriculum to funding to work-based learning. CKF is paying close attention to the provisions that make AEDs in the school buildings optional instead of required.

Changes to Childhood Vaccine Schedule

On January 5, 2026, The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced a reduction in the number of recommended pediatric vaccines. The new CDC vaccine schedule no longer universally recommends six vaccines - flu, Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, rotavirus, meningococcal disease, and RSV - instead recommending them only to certain "high-risk" groups or based on "shared clinical decision-making" with a health care provider.

HHS underscored that all vaccines recommended as of Dec. 31, 2025, will continue to be fully covered by Affordable Care Act insurance plans and federal insurance programs, including Medicaid, CHIP and the Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program. AHIP, the national trade association representing the health insurance industry, released a statement in the fall, saying, “Health plans will continue to cover all ACIP-recommended immunizations that were recommended as of September 1, 2025, including updated formulations of the COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, with no cost-sharing for patients through the end of 2026." Coverage beyond that is uncertain.

The change to the vaccine schedule may have implications for who can administer vaccines at the state level. Moving from “routine” to “shared clinical decision-making” may mean that pharmacists, nurses, and medical assistants can no longer administer those vaccines, which would have major implications for vaccine access in many communities. To avoid any disruption to access, states can update scope-of-practice laws and issue standing orders to preserve flexibility for vaccine administration and delivery capacity.

As detailed in a recent New England Journal of Medicine article, the CDC’s recommendation to vaccinate based on shared clinical decision-making “does not meaningfully change the clinical interaction [between patient and provider] but rather serves to mislead and introduce more paperwork and perceived clinician liability into an already complex system.” By introducing the concept that some vaccines are “optional,” it implies those are less important than vaccines recommended for routine use. 

Under HHS’ new policy, states will have the option to continue collecting and reporting these measures to CMS on a voluntary basis. Notably, states must still collect data on vaccination for other programs, such as the VFC Program, which provides free vaccines for children who are Medicaid-eligible, uninsured or underinsured (with health insurance that does not cover vaccines), as well as to administer vaccination requirements for school attendance, among other functions. 

This policy decision, which the American Academy of Pediatrics rejects and 17 states have announced they will not follow, will have widespread affects on public health.

Call for ISHN Conference Partners is Open!

Sponsors & Exhibitors

Submission Deadline: May 1, 2026

The theme of ISHN 2026 is Champions in Action: Empowering Healthier Hoosier Kids. This conference offers a winning opportunity for school health professionals and youth-serving adults to share expertise and foster collaboration while earning free continuing education credits. Consistent, caring relationships are the foundation of youth well-being, learning, and long-term success. Attendees will learn practical tactics and inspiring strategies to guide and support kids on their journey to becoming confident champions of their health and future. 

Marketplace Enrollment

ACA marketplace enrollment dropped to 22.8 million for 2026, down 3.4% from the same time last year, according to CMS data published January 12th. Nationally, the number of new consumers enrolling dropped nearly 12%. Consumers are considered new if they did not have 2025 Marketplace coverage through HealthCare.gov through December 31, 2025, and made a 2026 plan selection through the federal platform. A Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Marketplace Fact Sheet states that as of January 3rd, there were 300,135 Hoosiers who had selected a 2026 plan. Last year, 359,240 Hoosiers selected plans during open enrollment.

A Beyond the Basics email update notes:

“…it’s important to keep in mind that these early enrollment numbers do not provide the full picture of the impact of the expiration of PTC enhancements. For example:

• Many people who were automatically reenrolled may only be learning about their new, higher premiums for 2026 when they receive their January invoices from their insurer. Some of these individuals may opt not to enroll or may switch to a more affordable plan before the end of open enrollment.
• People who can’t afford the same plan they had last year and switch to a less generous plan (like a bronze or catastrophic plan) will have lower premiums but a higher deductible and out-of-pocket costs. This exposes them to more financial risk if they need care during the year.
• The data released during open enrollment reflect plan selections, but data to show the proportion of people who have paid their January premium won’t be available until several months after open enrollment ends."

Marketplace SEP

Marketplace annual open enrollment ends today but consumers can still enroll throughout the year if they qualify for a special enrollment period (SEP). Beyond the Basics offers a SEP reference chart that was updated in August 2025.

A couple of additional things to keep in mind:

• There is no longer a Marketplace SEP for consumers with incomes below 150% federal poverty level (FPL).
• As Marketplace and employer open enrollments end, it is important to remind Hoosiers eligible for Indiana Health Coverage Programs, such as Hoosier Healthwise and the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP), that they can enroll year around.

Extraordinary Care Allowance for Attendant Care and Participant Assistance and Care

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) is implementing the “extraordinary care” allowance for individuals receiving the following services through one of the indicated Home- and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid waivers: 

• Attendant Care – Health and Wellness (H&W) Waiver; Indiana PathWays for Aging (PathWays) Waiver
• Participant Assistance and Care (PAC) – Family Support Waiver (FSW) 

This allowance is outlined in the approved HCBS Medicaid waiver, effective Dec. 31, 2025. 

Extraordinary care means care provided by the parent of a minor child or by a spouse (also known as a legally responsible individual [LRI]), that the individual receiving the care is unable to perform independently to meet his or her intensive nursing care needs under the supervision of an interdisciplinary team. The care must be provided under the supervision of an interdisciplinary team and must exceed the range of activities that an LRI would ordinarily perform in the household on behalf of a person of the same age without a disability or chronic illness.  

Requests for state review of extraordinary care must be submitted to the FSSA by the waiver case manager or managed care service coordinator. Documentation from a physician involved in the individual’s care confirming skilled needs as outlined above must accompany the request using State Form 450b.

Prohibited Discrimination Under Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act

Section 1557 generally prohibits different treatment (also referred to as “intentional discrimination”) and discriminatory effects (also referred to as “disparate impact”). These theories recognize that discrimination takes many forms — sometimes there may be an explicit reference to categorization on the basis of a protected identity or it may be a policy that has the result of treating people differently and subjecting them to unfair treatment. This resource discusses and provides examples of discrimination under each of these theories.

Language Access for Individuals with

Limited English Proficiency

Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act prevent discrimination against individuals with limited English proficiency. Regulations from the Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights finalized in 2024 reiterated long standing requirements to ensure effective communication. This issue brief offers an explanation of applicable laws and guidance for language assistance services.

America’s Health Rankings® 2025 Annual Report

The United Health Foundation releasee the America’s Health Rankings® 2025 Annual Report recently which analyzes 99 measures of health and well-being drawn from 31 distinct data sources to provide a comprehensive portrait of health at both the national and state levels.

This year’s report reveals encouraging progress in national mortality rates and cancer screenings. These gains were tempered by continued increases in multiple chronic conditions and socioeconomic challenges. To find where Indiana ranks, see the full report here.

Human Trafficking Awareness Month

January is Human Trafficking awareness month. The Administration for Children & Families (Department of Health & Human Services) offers a Human Trafficking Prevention Month Toolkit with the goal to raise awareness, understanding, and reporting by equipping stakeholders with practical tools and resources. Individuals experiencing human trafficking and people who have concerns about someone they know can call the National Human Trafficking Hotline at 1-888-373-7888.

Healthcare Needs of the Unhoused

Health Management Associates is offering a two-part webinar series, Meeting the Healthcare Needs of Unhoused People.

Part 1: Meeting the Healthcare Needs of Unhoused People: Service and Care Responses



January 27, 2026

12 pm ET

Current events are reshaping how care is delivered and financed for people experiencing homelessness. This webinar will examine healthcare for the homeless and medical respite models of care, how these services connect with broader systems, and what providers need to know to sustain and strengthen care in medical respite programs in a changing environment.

Part 2: Meeting the Health Care Needs of Unhoused People: State Policy Responses

February 3, 2026

12 pm ET

Recent federal policy changes, including the 2025 budget reconciliation act (OBBBA), threaten Medicaid coverage gains and 1115 waiver services that have expanded care for people experiencing homelessness. In this webinar, experts will examine the implications for states and providers and outline practical policy options to mitigate harm, protect coverage, and support medical respite and other safety-net systems serving some of our most vulnerable neighbors.

Cancer Prevention Through Vaccination

Indiana Cancer Consortium presents a webinar focused on cancer prevention through vaccination.

Dr. Teresa Imburgia is a Postdoctoral Fellow in the Department of Epidemiology at Indiana University. Dr. Imburgia brings over fifteen years of research experience, with a focus on HPV related cancer epidemiology, prevention, and screening. She is a member of the IU Center for HPV Research and has published over 20 peer-reviewed manuscripts.

Deborah Nichols serves as the Deputy Director of the Division of HIV, STI & Viral Hepatitis at the Indiana Department of Health. Prior to her current role, she was the Staff Epidemiologist at the Indiana Department of Correction and has held various positions in epidemiology and management within the Indiana Department of Health. 

Date: January 29, 2026

Time: 3:00pm to 4:00pm ET

Location: Zoom

Register here.

Infant and Adolescent Vaccine Updates

Join Medical Science Liaisons for important updates about vaccines for infants and adolescents.



Date: February 3, 2026

Time: 3:00pm to 4:00pm ET

Location: Zoom

Register here.

Intimate Partner Violence Trainings

Stalking: A Tactic of Abuse and Beyond



January 22, 2026

2-3:30pm EST (1-2:30pm CST)

In this webinar, presenters will define stalking behaviorally and in the criminal code. Participants will then take a deeper look into who stalkers are, the tactics they use, and the relationship between stalking and intimate partner violence. The session will finish with exploring strategies for safety planning and resources for those impacted by stalking. 

Register Here!

Dimensions of IPV: Supporting Immigrant Survivors

January 28, 2026

2-3:30pm EST / 1-2:30pm CST



In this webinar we will explore the dynamics of power and control through the lens of immigration, discuss the specific barriers and concerns immigrant survivors have, and share strategies for supporting these survivors.

Register Here!

Economic Abuse: Dynamics, Impacts, and Strategies to Regain Control 

March 10, 2026

2-3:30pm EST / 1-2:30pm CST

Despite the high prevalence of economic abuse in domestic violence relationships; it often goes unrecognized. In this training, we will dive into the ways that an intimate partner might control or weaponize finances against a survivor; strategies to support survivors regain control over their finances, and resources for continued education or economic stability.  

Register Here!

Understanding Intimate Partner Violence for Service Providers

February 24, 2026

2-4pm EST / 1-3pm CST 



Description: This training functions as a basic introduction to the issues encompassed in intimate partner violence (IPV) and the experiences of both survivors and perpetrators of IPV. Focus areas include: understanding power and control dynamics; understanding the statistics, myths, and stereotypes around survivors and perpetrators; learning red flags and signs of abuse; and strategies in assessing and assisting families affected. This webinar meets the requirements of the Indiana Department of Child Services DV Survivor & Child Intervention Service Standards direct worker qualifications. 

Register Here!

Most Young Adult Nicotine Users Want To Quit In 2026

A new Truth Initiative survey found that about two-thirds (67%) of young adults ages 18–24 who use nicotine, plan to quit in 2026. Most state the goal to improve physical and mental health, marking a notable increase from the previous year’s quitting intentions. Despite the growing prevalence of potent, inexpensive nicotine products, (especially disposable e-cigarettes that often lack FDA authorization) the strong desire to quit highlights the need for effective support.

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