Open Letter to Indiana General Assembly, Governor Holcomb from the Indiana Chamber of Commerce, AARP Indiana, Americans for Prosperity-Indiana and Hoosiers for Health Care Access: Give Patients Health Care Provider Choice, Access

INDIANAPOLIS, Nov. 16, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, groups from across the state announced the launch of Hoosiers for Health Care Access (HHCA), a coalition representing 10 Indiana patient, business, faith and community-based organizations. In an open letter, the group calls on the Indiana General Assembly and Governor Holcomb to provide patients greater access to high-quality health care, delivered by the provider of their choice. The Indiana Chamber, AARP Indiana, Americans for Prosperity-Indiana, the Coalition of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses of Indiana, the Convenient Care Association, the Indiana Minority Health Coalition, Purdue University NW College of Nursing, INhouse Primary Care, Rounding Providers and Sojourner Truth House signed the open letter. 

"Throughout the state, our organizations deliver health care, conduct business, grow jobs and our economy, and represent Hoosiers by empowering them to choose how they live as they age. While our focuses may differ from each other, we share a commitment to strengthening the health of our state and all of its citizens," the letter states. "Today, more than 2 million Indiana residents live in federally designated primary care provider shortage areas. Along with these Hoosiers, 4.7 million more residents lack access to mental health care. This leaves millions of our neighbors without adequate access to care. And if that wasn't enough, 33 out of 92 counties in Indiana are classified as obstetric deserts, meaning that women in almost 40% of our state don't have access to vital health care services or don't have a hospital with labor and delivery capabilities. We believe Indiana can and must do better to protect the health of our state and families. Our businesses cannot recruit and retain a healthy workforce without adequate health care access, and we can no longer accept policies that exclude rural and underserved communities from receiving equitable health care access in their own communities. Over the last two years, the public health emergency temporarily empowered patients with greater health care choice through direct access to advanced practice registered nurses (APRNs). We cannot turn back now. With the suspension of the Governor's executive order lapsing earlier this year, the General Assembly must act swiftly to pass legislation in the 2023 session to make this access permanent. There are 26 states, the District of Columbia, and the VA Health system that grant patients full and direct access to the comprehensive care APRNs deliver in one billion patient visits each year nationwide. It is time for Indiana to join them. We, the undersigned organizations, urge you to prioritize Indiana patients and enact full practice authority this legislative session. We stand ready to work with you to build a healthy future for Indiana where every citizen has access to the health care they deserve, delivered by the provider of their choice."

Signed,

Indiana Chamber of Commerce
AARP Indiana
AFP Indiana
Convenient Care Association
Coalition of Advanced Practice Nurses of Indiana
Indiana Minority Health Coalition
Purdue University NW College of Nursing
INhouse Primary Care
Sojourner Truth House
Rounding Providers

Hoosiers for Health Care Access is a statewide coalition dedicated to expanding access to Advanced Practice Registered Nurses (APRN) to meet our state's growing health care needs. Today, over 2.1 million Hoosiers lack access to basic primary health care services in their community. In fact, the federal government has designated 117 health care provider shortage areas across the state.

To make a general inquiry, please visit www.hoosiersforhealthcareaccess.com. Members of the media can reach our press office at: [email protected].

SOURCE Coalition of Advanced Practice Registered Nurses of Indiana