Indiana State Rep. Charlie Brown appointed to 2015 health policy development committee

INDIANAPOLIS – House Democratic Leader Scott Pelath has appointed State Rep. Charlie Brown (D-Gary) to represent the Indiana House on the Midwestern Legislative Conference (MLC) Health and Human Services Committee of the Council of State Governments.

Policies under the committee’s jurisdiction address the nexus between state and federal policy making as it relates to health and social services programs. Brown will work with legislators from 11 Midwest states and four Canadian provinces.

“I’m privileged to brainstorm with lawmakers from across the U.S. and Canada to propose solutions that tackle the health issues affecting Hoosiers,” said Brown. “Recent conferences have focused on Medicaid reform, health treatment within correctional facilities, e-cigarettes, and child welfare policy.

“These topics are incredibly relevant to our state, and I’ll be thinking about how to help the people back home during each and every discussion. The impact of the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act on states is likely to remain on the agenda as well,” he added.

Mental health, vaccine safety, health care cost strategies, welfare reform, early childhood development, and health information technology are other areas of committee emphasis.