Indiana Community Action Poverty Institute
@incap.bsky.social
Research and policy advocacy so all Hoosiers can achieve and maintain financial well-being.
“Medical debt isn't a choice. It's a price people pay for getting sick," said Dave Almeida, with Blood Cancer United, telling those gathered that his was one of about 25 organizations that have worked together to try and find solutions to medical debt.
Hoosiers urge lawmakers to pass legislation to help people with medical debt
A rally was held at the Indiana Statehouse on Wednesday in support of Senate Bill 85, which would put limits on how hospitals collect unpaid medical bills.
www.wthr.com
February 12, 2026 at 4:51 PM
“Medical debt isn't a choice. It's a price people pay for getting sick," said Dave Almeida, with Blood Cancer United, telling those gathered that his was one of about 25 organizations that have worked together to try and find solutions to medical debt.
Debt collectors 1, Hoosiers Struggling with Bills 0
Sometimes a good bill dies quietly, just by not appearing on the calendar. That appears to be the fate of SB 197.
YOU don’t have to be quiet, though. Let Chairman Jeter know you wish he had put struggling Hoosiers first: h88@iga.in.gov
Sometimes a good bill dies quietly, just by not appearing on the calendar. That appears to be the fate of SB 197.
YOU don’t have to be quiet, though. Let Chairman Jeter know you wish he had put struggling Hoosiers first: h88@iga.in.gov
February 12, 2026 at 1:28 PM
Debt collectors 1, Hoosiers Struggling with Bills 0
Sometimes a good bill dies quietly, just by not appearing on the calendar. That appears to be the fate of SB 197.
YOU don’t have to be quiet, though. Let Chairman Jeter know you wish he had put struggling Hoosiers first: h88@iga.in.gov
Sometimes a good bill dies quietly, just by not appearing on the calendar. That appears to be the fate of SB 197.
YOU don’t have to be quiet, though. Let Chairman Jeter know you wish he had put struggling Hoosiers first: h88@iga.in.gov
“This is Mark. This is what #medicaldebt looks like. This is the one time he held his granddaughter before he died.”
Today’s powerful press conference was a call to action for lawmakers. Do not end this session without protecting Hoosiers.
Today’s powerful press conference was a call to action for lawmakers. Do not end this session without protecting Hoosiers.
February 11, 2026 at 5:54 PM
“This is Mark. This is what #medicaldebt looks like. This is the one time he held his granddaughter before he died.”
Today’s powerful press conference was a call to action for lawmakers. Do not end this session without protecting Hoosiers.
Today’s powerful press conference was a call to action for lawmakers. Do not end this session without protecting Hoosiers.
🖊️ Sign on TONIGHT to call on policymakers to protect Hoosiers facing medical debt. We'll be sharing this letter with members of the media at a press conference tomorrow (Wednesday) at noon. 🖋️
Letter: forms.gle/VJ3vSWribJjp...
Letter: forms.gle/VJ3vSWribJjp...
February 10, 2026 at 11:17 PM
🖊️ Sign on TONIGHT to call on policymakers to protect Hoosiers facing medical debt. We'll be sharing this letter with members of the media at a press conference tomorrow (Wednesday) at noon. 🖋️
Letter: forms.gle/VJ3vSWribJjp...
Letter: forms.gle/VJ3vSWribJjp...
We talked about #paidparentalleave for K-12 staff in House Education today. If Georgia, Alabama, Utah, Tennessee, and many many other states can do it - so can we! In fact, how about paid parental leave for all parents?
February 10, 2026 at 8:33 PM
We talked about #paidparentalleave for K-12 staff in House Education today. If Georgia, Alabama, Utah, Tennessee, and many many other states can do it - so can we! In fact, how about paid parental leave for all parents?
Joining Feeding Indiana’s Hungry to meet with Chairman Thompson about SNAP and Medicaid this morning.
February 10, 2026 at 4:51 PM
Joining Feeding Indiana’s Hungry to meet with Chairman Thompson about SNAP and Medicaid this morning.
By adjusting two numbers in Indiana law, SB 197 helps prevent an overdue bill from becoming a financial catastrophe - and is a critical move in an affordability crisis.
indianacitizen.org/macey-commen...
indianacitizen.org/macey-commen...
Macey Commentary: Raising garnishment floor will help Hoosiers during affordability crisis - THE INDIANA CITIZEN
By Erin Macey Indiana Poverty Community Action Institute February 6, 2026 A key piece of affordability legislation passed the Indiana Senate on Jan 27. Senate Bill 197 addresses the aftermath of high…
indianacitizen.org
February 6, 2026 at 8:33 PM
By adjusting two numbers in Indiana law, SB 197 helps prevent an overdue bill from becoming a financial catastrophe - and is a critical move in an affordability crisis.
indianacitizen.org/macey-commen...
indianacitizen.org/macey-commen...
We are testifying on 4 bills today:
🏥 To make sure the tax benefits we give non-profit hospitals come back to us in community benefits
🩺 To protest additional red tape added to SNAP & Medicaid
👶 To increase funding for childcare
💵 To make thoughtful decisions about which tax breaks we offer
🏥 To make sure the tax benefits we give non-profit hospitals come back to us in community benefits
🩺 To protest additional red tape added to SNAP & Medicaid
👶 To increase funding for childcare
💵 To make thoughtful decisions about which tax breaks we offer
February 4, 2026 at 8:49 PM
We are testifying on 4 bills today:
🏥 To make sure the tax benefits we give non-profit hospitals come back to us in community benefits
🩺 To protest additional red tape added to SNAP & Medicaid
👶 To increase funding for childcare
💵 To make thoughtful decisions about which tax breaks we offer
🏥 To make sure the tax benefits we give non-profit hospitals come back to us in community benefits
🩺 To protest additional red tape added to SNAP & Medicaid
👶 To increase funding for childcare
💵 To make thoughtful decisions about which tax breaks we offer
One reason we are fighting for medical debt protections: a new study finds that 37.9% of respondents experienced financial hardship following surgeries. Surgeries were also associated with an 8-fold increase in yearly out-of-pocket spending. Read the full study: jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
February 3, 2026 at 8:33 PM
One reason we are fighting for medical debt protections: a new study finds that 37.9% of respondents experienced financial hardship following surgeries. Surgeries were also associated with an 8-fold increase in yearly out-of-pocket spending. Read the full study: jamanetwork.com/journals/jam...
“[SB 197] is a good bill in our perspective. It’s about people who are working…and they are also dealing with overdue bills.“ Check out discussion of SB 197 in the Indiana Catholic Conference podcast: www.indianacc.org/ican-podcast
February 3, 2026 at 4:51 PM
“[SB 197] is a good bill in our perspective. It’s about people who are working…and they are also dealing with overdue bills.“ Check out discussion of SB 197 in the Indiana Catholic Conference podcast: www.indianacc.org/ican-podcast
So disappointing! Utilities are a top issue we are hearing about from right now, but a majority just rejected an amendment to GRADUALLY reduce taxes on utility service.
February 2, 2026 at 8:33 PM
So disappointing! Utilities are a top issue we are hearing about from right now, but a majority just rejected an amendment to GRADUALLY reduce taxes on utility service.
Do you watch Indiana Lawmakers on @wfyi? This episode is on 👶childcare👧🏻 - a critical need in our state right now. Hear policymakers and experts from United Way of Central Indiana & Indiana Chamber of Commerce discuss the problem & solutions.
www.wfyi.org/programs/ind...
www.wfyi.org/programs/ind...
February 2, 2026 at 4:51 PM
Do you watch Indiana Lawmakers on @wfyi? This episode is on 👶childcare👧🏻 - a critical need in our state right now. Hear policymakers and experts from United Way of Central Indiana & Indiana Chamber of Commerce discuss the problem & solutions.
www.wfyi.org/programs/ind...
www.wfyi.org/programs/ind...
Parents who need assistance affording a safe and nurturing place for their child when they go to work may finally see some new support: Up to $300 million in reserves could be used for childcare under a bill that just passed the Indiana Senate.
www.wishtv.com/news/politic...
www.wishtv.com/news/politic...
February 1, 2026 at 10:33 PM
Parents who need assistance affording a safe and nurturing place for their child when they go to work may finally see some new support: Up to $300 million in reserves could be used for childcare under a bill that just passed the Indiana Senate.
www.wishtv.com/news/politic...
www.wishtv.com/news/politic...
"In 2020, nearly 34 million U.S. households reported reducing or forgoing food or medicine, or leaving their homes at unsafe temperatures, to pay their energy bills."
Understanding Energy Burden: Why Some Communities Pay More - Initiative for Energy Justice
Energy Justice 101: Explore how "energy burden" disproportionately affects low-income and communities of color, forcing hard choices between utilities and essentials like food and healthcare in the…
iejusa.org
February 1, 2026 at 1:51 PM
"In 2020, nearly 34 million U.S. households reported reducing or forgoing food or medicine, or leaving their homes at unsafe temperatures, to pay their energy bills."
We are at the mid-point of the Indiana State Legislative Session! What bills are you watching in the 2nd half? #INStatehouse #Policy
January 31, 2026 at 8:33 PM
We are at the mid-point of the Indiana State Legislative Session! What bills are you watching in the 2nd half? #INStatehouse #Policy
Anyone can be an advocate. You don't have to be an expert. But it helps if you care deeply about your community and have the courage to show up, like Rebecca!
Read Policy Fellow Rebecca Freeman's inspiring blog post about her first time attending a day of action, then ACT: tinyurl.com/2cr3jr89
Read Policy Fellow Rebecca Freeman's inspiring blog post about her first time attending a day of action, then ACT: tinyurl.com/2cr3jr89
January 31, 2026 at 4:51 PM
Anyone can be an advocate. You don't have to be an expert. But it helps if you care deeply about your community and have the courage to show up, like Rebecca!
Read Policy Fellow Rebecca Freeman's inspiring blog post about her first time attending a day of action, then ACT: tinyurl.com/2cr3jr89
Read Policy Fellow Rebecca Freeman's inspiring blog post about her first time attending a day of action, then ACT: tinyurl.com/2cr3jr89
Our fearless leader-checking out the list of bills earlier this week that were up for readings. Did you watch any bills on 2nd or 3rd readings? #INStatehouse #Policy
January 30, 2026 at 8:33 PM
Our fearless leader-checking out the list of bills earlier this week that were up for readings. Did you watch any bills on 2nd or 3rd readings? #INStatehouse #Policy
"1.2 million Hoosiers hopefully will be positively impacted over the next few years by such legislation. Every district, every ZIP code across Indiana," Qaddoura said.
www.wthr.com/article/news...
www.wthr.com/article/news...
January 30, 2026 at 4:51 PM
"1.2 million Hoosiers hopefully will be positively impacted over the next few years by such legislation. Every district, every ZIP code across Indiana," Qaddoura said.
www.wthr.com/article/news...
www.wthr.com/article/news...
🎉 The Senate just passed SB 85 to help Hoosiers keep their heads above water when facing #medicaldebt.
Thank you Senator Charbonneau and Senator Qaddoura for your leadership, and all our partners who worked hard to get to this milestone.
Thank you Senator Charbonneau and Senator Qaddoura for your leadership, and all our partners who worked hard to get to this milestone.
January 29, 2026 at 3:52 PM
🎉 The Senate just passed SB 85 to help Hoosiers keep their heads above water when facing #medicaldebt.
Thank you Senator Charbonneau and Senator Qaddoura for your leadership, and all our partners who worked hard to get to this milestone.
Thank you Senator Charbonneau and Senator Qaddoura for your leadership, and all our partners who worked hard to get to this milestone.
This is Dave Almeida from Blood Cancers United. A couple years ago, he found our report on #medicaldebt in Indiana & asked if we wanted to work on a bill together. Today, we await the fate of SB 85 in the Senate. 🤞
Thank you, Dave, for being an incredible advocate & partner!
Thank you, Dave, for being an incredible advocate & partner!
January 29, 2026 at 2:47 PM
This is Dave Almeida from Blood Cancers United. A couple years ago, he found our report on #medicaldebt in Indiana & asked if we wanted to work on a bill together. Today, we await the fate of SB 85 in the Senate. 🤞
Thank you, Dave, for being an incredible advocate & partner!
Thank you, Dave, for being an incredible advocate & partner!
The Senate just passed a bill adding fines, court dates, and possible jail time to the challenges a homeless individual must navigate to reach stability.
Let’s come together and raise our voices to defeat this legislation in the house!
Let’s come together and raise our voices to defeat this legislation in the house!
January 28, 2026 at 10:39 PM
The Senate just passed a bill adding fines, court dates, and possible jail time to the challenges a homeless individual must navigate to reach stability.
Let’s come together and raise our voices to defeat this legislation in the house!
Let’s come together and raise our voices to defeat this legislation in the house!
The Senate just passed a bill adding fines, court dates, and possible jail time to the challenges a homeless individual must navigate to reach stability.
Let’s come together and raise our voices to defeat this legislation in the house!
Let’s come together and raise our voices to defeat this legislation in the house!
January 28, 2026 at 10:38 PM
The Senate just passed a bill adding fines, court dates, and possible jail time to the challenges a homeless individual must navigate to reach stability.
Let’s come together and raise our voices to defeat this legislation in the house!
Let’s come together and raise our voices to defeat this legislation in the house!
👍 🎉 SB 197, which offers additional protection to Hoosiers who fall behind on their bills and have a debt collector pursue wage or bank account garnishment, just passed on the Senate floor. Please thank those members who voted in support!
January 27, 2026 at 10:00 PM
👍 🎉 SB 197, which offers additional protection to Hoosiers who fall behind on their bills and have a debt collector pursue wage or bank account garnishment, just passed on the Senate floor. Please thank those members who voted in support!
☕️ and 🙏 with fellow advocates in the statehouse.
January 27, 2026 at 5:35 PM
☕️ and 🙏 with fellow advocates in the statehouse.
KEY VOTES TOMORROW - ACT TODAY!
👎😠 SB 285 Criminalization of homelessness: tinyurl.com/3m6ak9ff
👍 😀 SB 197 Debt protections: tinyurl.com/xex77pen
👎😠 SB 285 Criminalization of homelessness: tinyurl.com/3m6ak9ff
👍 😀 SB 197 Debt protections: tinyurl.com/xex77pen
January 26, 2026 at 11:51 PM
KEY VOTES TOMORROW - ACT TODAY!
👎😠 SB 285 Criminalization of homelessness: tinyurl.com/3m6ak9ff
👍 😀 SB 197 Debt protections: tinyurl.com/xex77pen
👎😠 SB 285 Criminalization of homelessness: tinyurl.com/3m6ak9ff
👍 😀 SB 197 Debt protections: tinyurl.com/xex77pen