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2026 Indiana Legislative Session
Hoosier lawmakers convened earlier than usual for the 2026 legislative session, meeting for two weeks in early December. While lawmakers did hear some legislation for the 2026 session, the main focus was redistricting legislation, HB 1032. The measure passed the House 57-41, but failed to advance in the Senate where it was defeated 19-31.
The 2026 legislative session will begin in earnest on January 5, 2026. Bills proposed for this session can be found here. The session has until March 14 to meet via statute, but lawmakers have indicated they aim to complete business by the end of February.
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Hepatitis B Vaccine Recommendation Changes
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reversed course this week on a decades long recommendation. Instead of guidance requiring all newborns to be vaccinated for hepatitis B at birth, the CDC adopted "individual-based decision-making for hepatitis B immunization for infants born to women who test negative for the hep B virus".
The vaccine will still be available to newborns through the Vaccines for Children Program.
Some major children's health organizations, like the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and the American Academy of Family Physicians (AAFP), have spoken out against the change.
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CMS Releases Guidance on Work Requirements
The Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) released guidance on the community engagement provisions, also known as work requirements, required by OBBBA and set to be implemented by start of 2027.
The guidance offers few new details to help states implement the provision; more comprehensive directions will presumably come through the interim final rule that CMS must release by June 1, 2026. Read more here.
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Notice of CMS Approval of Waiver Amendments
Indiana Family and Social Services Administration has received approval from the Centers for Medicaid & Medicaid Services (CMS) for the agency’s proposed waiver amendments to the following 1915(c) home and community-based services waivers:
- Health and Wellness
- Traumatic Brain Injury
- Indiana PathWays for Aging
- Community Integration and Habilitation
- Family Supports
Approved waivers have an effective date of December 31, 2025.
The approved Community Integration and Habilitation, Family Supports, Health and Wellness, and Traumatic Brain Injury Medicaid waivers can be found here.
The approved Indiana Pathways for Aging Medicaid waiver can be found here.
| | SCHOOLS & EARLY CHILDHOOD | | | | |
Call for ISHN Proposals is Open! | | 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. Learn practical tactics and inspiring strategies to guide and support kids on their journey to becoming confident champions of their health and future. | | Oral Presentation and Digital Poster Submissions Accepted - Proposals should be informed by theory, research, and practice, and address Hoosier kids' diverse perspectives and health-related social needs. Presentations should include techniques and strategies to engage attendees with the topic and to provide ways to incorporate lessons learned into their work. All oral presentations are 60 minutes long, including Q&A and evaluation. Digital posters will be showcased during the 2-day conference and highlighted during breaks. Please read the Call for Proposals guidelines before you begin the submission process. | | |
Obesity and Severe Obesity in Youth
Before and During COVID-19
Childhood obesity rates in the U.S. rose from 21.2% pre-pandemic to 22.6% during the global health crisis, researchers reported in the journal Pediatrics.
For the study, researchers analyzed data from a federal health and nutrition survey conducted annually, comparing the health of more than 4,700 youth from ages 2 to 19 prior to the pandemic, and 2,500 youth during the pandemic. Results show the pandemic particularly intensified weight gain for minority youth, disadvantaged kids, and those who were already overweight or obese. Obesity was most common among adolescents 12 to 19, most notably among low-income households.
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MDwise Member Transition
The deadline for MDwise members to switch to another MCEs was changed from December 15 to December 24. If members do not choose a new plan by December 24, they will be assigned to one of the three remaining plans (Anthem, CareSource or MHS). If they are unhappy with the assignment, members can switch plans up to 90 days after January 1, 2026.
Members should have received a letter with detailed instructions on how to select a new plan. For assistance, they can contact the Enrollment Broker for HIP at 1-877-GET-HIP9 (1-877-438-4479) and Hoosier Healthwise at 1-800-899-9949.
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Marketplace News
Open Enrollment Report: The December 5, 2025 report shows that in Indiana, 62,985 new and returning consumers have selected a 2026 plan as of November 29, 2025. Last year, 359,240 Hoosiers selected plans during open enrollment.
Deadlines: Although open enrollment continues until January 15, 2026, the deadline has passed to receive coverage January 1, 2026. Here are some important upcoming deadlines:
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December 31, 2025 – Consumers need to cancel coverage by December 31 if auto-enrolled into a plan they do not want to avoid being charged a January premium.
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January 15, 2026 - Open enrollment ends. Consumers who sign up by January 15 will receive coverage starting February 1, 2026. Consumers who have already signed up for a plan should also return to the Marketplace by this date to see if premiums have changed based on congressional action.
Trans insurance guidelines – Out2enroll.org released their Marketplace 2026 Transgender Health Insurance Guides for every state.
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CMS Region 5 Contact Email
If you have any questions or would like to provide feedback on how CMS is doing, topics you would like covered in upcoming engagement briefs, or other information to keep CMS informed on how the programs are impacting you or those you serve, just click on the Regional Map to the right to create an email directly to CMS Chicago Local Engagement & Administration (LEA).
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Holiday Support
In addition to information on warming centers, Indiana 211 can also help families connect with local resources for holiday meals and food programs (meal sites, emergency food pantries, food box programs) as well as holiday giving programs (toy distribution, clothing).
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SNAP Changes
Starting January 1, 2026, sugary drinks and candy will no longer be eligible for purchase with SNAP benefits. This stems from an April executive order. Learn more at Smart SNAP.
Fliers defining sugary drinks and candy are available in English, Burmese, Haitian Creole, and Spanish here.
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Cost Report Public Uses Files – Annual Update
The Cost Report PUFs provide user-friendly access to data extracted from the Healthcare Cost Report Information System (HCRIS). Each PUF is organized at the hospital or facility level and includes select measures such as facility characteristics, utilization measures, cost and charge data by cost center, Medicare settlement data, and financial statement data. This release incorporates 2023 data and updates earlier years data for the Hospital Cost Report PUF, the Skilled Nursing Facility Cost Report PUF, and the Home Health Agency Cost Report PUF.
| | Indiana Immunization Coalition Trainings | | |
Cancer Prevention
The Indiana Immunization Coalition and the Indiana Cancer Consortium will host a joint webinar on Cancer Prevention through Vaccination. There will be two featured speakers: Dr. Teresa Imburgia (who will focus on HPV) and Deborah Nichols (focus on Hepatitis B).
Date: January 29, 2026
Time: 3 pm ET
Location: Zoom
Register here
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Vaccine Updates
The Indiana Immunization Coalition and Medical Science Liaison will provide updates on vaccine products for infants and adolescents.
Date: February 3, 2026
Time: 3 pm
Location: Zoom
Register here
| | TOBACCO PREVENTION & CESSATION | | |
Eight Foods and Drinks That Could
Help People Quit Nicotine
The Truth Initiative highlights eight foods and beverages that may help people manage cravings and ease withdrawal while quitting smoking, vaping, or other nicotine products, including fruits and vegetables to restore nutrients and reduce cravings, ginseng tea that may lessen nicotine’s appeal, milk and dairy that can make tobacco taste unpleasant, sugar-free gum and mints to occupy the mouth, nuts and seeds for oral distraction and magnesium support, water to ease withdrawal symptoms and stay hydrated, dark chocolate (especially with 70% cocoa) that has been linked to reduced cravings, and even “unique” food combinations suggested by quit-support communities as tasty distractions.
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IHCP Membership
Total Membership decreased in November. With 1,692,367 members, there were 38,955, or 2.25%, less members in November 2025 than in October 2025.
Since March, Total Membership has dropped by nearly 280,000.
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