Porter reaches across the aisle to remedy attendant care crisis

Yesterday, Feb. 21, State Rep. Gregory W. Porter (D- Indianapolis) planned to propose two amendments to give Hoosier families some much-needed relief from the attendant care crisis. The first amendment would have established a one-year freeze on the attendant care payment methodology. The second amendment would have required the Legislative Services Agency (LSA) to examine whether or not the transition from attendant care to standardized care is feasible. Rep. Porter agreed to hold two amendments in return for further discussion of the issue with House leadership. 

“I’m glad that House Republicans made the promise to meet with me on this issue,” Porter said. “Families are at risk of losing the critical funding they use to support their children with life-altering conditions. Let’s get something clear: these parents on the A&D waiver aren't collecting funding for regular parenting duties. They’re inserting G-tubes, administering medication through IV, providing CPR or they’re physically moving their children from their bed to their wheelchair. They’re providing life-saving support to their loved ones. 

“I wrote two amendments to give these families some breathing room and to ensure they’re getting the care they need. As my colleagues and I have expressed, we need to address the Medicaid shortfall pushing these cuts. If I held the amendments, leadership in the House Ways and Means Committee and other members of the caucus promised to sit down and solve this issue with me. I’m happy to reach across the aisle to get our Hoosiers the care they deserve. I’m optimistic that this meeting will help us take some steps in the right direction.”