Thank you for your interest and support. Indiana United Ways provides its Policy Update on "even Fridays" (2nd and 4th Fridays). Contact us
if you have any questions or comments about content (past, present or desired for the future).
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 Update on federal healthcare debate 
There was a lot of action this week regarding federal healthcare policies. The most recent was the debate in the Senate over a "skinny repeal" bill that would have repealed limited portions of the Affordable Care Act. The legislation included a repeal of the individual and employer mandate to purchase or provide insurance, a one year defunding of Planned Parenthood, a provision giving states more flexibility to opt-out of insurance regulations and a three year repeal of the medical device tax. When analyzing the repeal bill, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimated that premiums would increase and 16 million fewer Americans would have medical coverage by 2026. Senators voted to defeat the bill 49-51, which was primarily party-line driven aside from three Republicans who voted against the bill including Sens. John McCain of Arizona, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska.
As new proposals come up, United Way will continue to fight for the health, education and financial stability of every person in every community. We partner and advocate with a range of parties - including business, government and community leaders - to improve all Americans' access to affordable, quality healthcare.
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Take action during August Recess
Our elected officials use August Recess as a time to visit with constituents and gain a pulse of their communities before heading back to Washington. Congress will be focusing on a "once in a generation" comprehensive tax reform, appropriations as well as possibly making attempts at reforming our healthcare laws. Given how much is happening in Congress (and how rapidly), it is essential for the nonprofit community to leverage the August Recess to educate members of Congress on what's at stake for your community, particularly around tax reform, healthcare and appropriations. You may consider inviting your members to a local event (i.e. backpack drive or VITA site). Additionally, many members will hold town hall meetings and will be making public appearances at local events.
The House Recess is scheduled from July 28 - September 4. The Senate Recess has been shortened to August 14 - September 4. Check out this video from United Way Worldwide for tips on how to connect with Members of Congress during the August Recess.
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 Prosperity Now Scorecard provides data on American households' financial health 
Prosperity Now (formerly known as CFED) recently released a Scorecard tool which serves as a comprehensive resource for data on household financial health and policy recommendations to help put more Americans on a path to financial prosperity. Below is a sample of key findings from the Prosperity Now Scorecard.
- Indiana ranks 32nd overall in outcome measures - 29th in financial assets and income, 34th in businesses and jobs, 29th in home ownership and housing, 25th in healthcare and 30th in education.
- One in five households has significant income fluctuations from month to month.
- While unemployment remains low, one in four jobs in the United States is in a low-wage occupation, which means that at the median, these jobs pay below the poverty threshold for a family of four.
- 44% of households did not set aside any savings for emergencies in the past year.
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Legislative Study Committees 
During the legislative session many interim study committee topics are recommended by the General Assembly. The meetings allow experts in the field and state agencies to share information about the current state of issues in Indiana in preparation for the next legislative session. In late May, the Legislative Council announced the topics to be studied in the interim before the 2018 session. Here are a few highlights of interest to our members and partners (only a subset of all):
- Courts and the Judiciary will study Adult Protective Services, civil forfeiture laws, defense services for CHINS and guardianships and shared decision making.
- Education will study several topics related to the Every Student Succeeds Act.
- Fiscal Policy will study uniform property tax assessment of nonprofit entities and a multi-year review of certain tax incentives.
- Government will study food deserts.
- Public Health, Behavioral Health and Human Services will study changes to state law to respond to changes in federal law on healthcare.
The House and Senate recently released the interim study committee assignments. At this time not committee meetings are on the calendar. Check the interim committee calendar for updates. Current meetings on the calendar include:
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Indiana Coalition for Human Services and Children's Coalition of Indiana team up to offer summer learning opportunities
ICHS and CCI have partnered to host summer learning opportunities in Indianapolis. The sessions are open to members and guests free of charge. The meetings will cover a variety of topics including redistricting, federal healthcare reform, utilities and the federal budget process. Register now to attend sessions that interest you and view the flyer for additional event details.
- Tuesday, August 1: Federal healthcare reform and the impact on Hoosiers presented by Mark Fairchild of Covering Kids and Families of Indiana
- Tuesday, August 8: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the federal budget presented by Emily Weikert-Bryant of Feeding Indiana's Hungry and Jessica Fraser of the Indiana Institute for Working Families
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Weigh in on issues important to you!
Submitting comments during rulemaking periods is an important way to shape policy. State and federal agencies appreciate specific comments about possible impacts and ways to improve proposed rules. Below are a few open comment periods in Indiana.
- Office of Community and Rural Affairs (OCRA) is hosting regional listening sessions to hear about rural Indiana's current strengths, weaknesses, threats and opportunities to help guide future OCRA programming initiatives. Learn more about regional sessions beginning June 27 and ending August 3.
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IUW Public Policy 
IUW is a nonpartisan organization that works to advance policy principles and compromise solutions for the common good. Our policy priorities are developed and guided by our Public Policy Committee and our members, based on their programmatic work in Hoosier communities.
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Education, so that children are prepared for and succeed in school;
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Income/Financial Stability, so that individuals and families may achieve and sustain financial stability;
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Health, so that individuals may access quality healthcare; and
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Strong Communities, where a statewide 2-1-1 network and a strong charitable sector help communities thrive.
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Frequently Requested Links / Documents
iauw.org
- Learn about the Indiana Association of United Ways, current trainings and conferences and the ways we support local United Ways/Funds, partners and communities.
IaUW Policy / Advocacy info - Review and download IaUW Policy Priorities, Third House calendar, bill lists, fact sheets, talking points and testimony.
Federal Advocacy Action Center - Contact your member of Congress provided through our partnership with United Way Worldwide.
IaUW Policy Update Archive - Read prior issues, special articles and key documents produced by IaUW related to public policy and advocacy.
Community Report Card - Check out key indicators in Education, Income and Health for your neighborhood, county or region.
IN211.org - S
earch for human service information available through the referral database or by calling 2-1-1. Download reports about resources, needs, gaps and trends from Indiana 211 Partnership.
NRN Calendar - Register for high-quality and affordable training for nonprofit staff and volunteers by the Indiana Nonprofit Resource Network.
Indiana General Assembly
- Check the hearing or floor schedule, watch a live or recorded hearing or floor session and look up your legislators.
Congress.gov
- Look up bills introduced or passed in Congress.
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