Shackleford's Report for District 98

Jan 30, 2025

Welcome to Shackleford’s Summary, my monthly newsletter, where I will provide legislative and community updates for you as your state representative for Eastern Indianapolis. Please reach out to my office at h98@iga.in.gov if you have any questions, concerns or thoughts on what you’d like to see in this newsletter.

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Celebrating a Legacy of Peace Making and Equality

On Jan. 20, we honored the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and his working to realize the full promise of our country for all Americans. Let us recommit to ourselves to serving others, as he called us to do: “‘Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, “What are you doing for others?’”

I was honored to speak at the Indiana Christian Leadership Conference’s (ICLC) MLK Jr. Birthday Celebration, reminding us that Dr. King’s vision of love was not just a passive emotion but a call to action. Love must be active, relentless and rooted in the pursuit of justice. Love means breaking down the barriers of hatred and division, and it challenges us to see the humanity in everyone - regardless of race, religion or background.

But we cannot limit this work to one day a year. As Dr. King’s legacy shows us, the call to serve others and pursue justice is not confined to MLK Day. Every day is an opportunity to live out the principles he championed. In the face of challenges to our public schools and the growing divisions in society, we must remain steadfast in our commitment to making our communities -and our schools- places of love, inclusivity and opportunity.

Love demands action.

It calls on us to create educational spaces where every child is valued and empowered, where diversity equity and inclusion are more that just words guiding principles of a fair and just society. This is especially crucial as we face ongoing attacks on these very principles at the state level.

So, as we honor Dr. King, let us not forget that his dream lives on through the daily choices we make. It’s about fostering empathy, dismantling systems of inequality and lifting up those who have been silenced. This is the work we must continue, not just on one day, but every day, in our actions, in our communities and in our nation.

Let us strive to embody the love Dr. King spoke of—active, transformative love—so that together we can build a world where justice and equality are not just dreams, but living realities.

Addressing Governor Braun’s DEI Executive Order

On Jan. 21, the Indiana Black Legislative Caucus (IBLC) held a press conference to discuss Gov. Mike Braun’s executive order prohibiting Diversity, Equity and Inclusion practices in state agencies.

Indiana is already falling short of its goal to foster diversity in our businesses, and now, with the introduction of Senate Bill 235, we are taking an even greater step backward. This bill allows universities to ignore diversity goals and eliminates the obligation to support supplier diversity. What message does this send? That we don’t care about minority-owned businesses. That we don’t care about keeping dollars within our state that could uplift women and people of color.

Indiana Senior Day: 2025

On Tuesday, Mar. 18, 2025, Indiana Senior Day returns to the Statehouse! At the event, attendees will have the opportunity to connect with local resources, participate in informative workshops, and engage with health and wellness experts. This event is designed to empower seniors with valuable information and tools to enhance their quality of life. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Join us for a day of learning, connection, and community support! RSVP today by contacting Vickie Peterson at (317) 503-0992 or vickiepeterson@comcast.net!

With the official start of the IGA’s 2025 legislation session, I want you to know that the Indiana House Democratic Caucus and I are busy working for you and Hoosiers throughout the state. This session, I have filed bills focusing on several key areas including: public health; tenant rights and protections; and overall health and wellness for Hoosiers.

Chronic Obesity:

In Oct. 2024, I co-hosted the Chronic Obesity Stakeholders Meeting (COSM), bringing together experts to discuss initiatives that enhance access to effective healthcare interventions, improve nutrition and physical activity opportunities for children and address systemic barriers affecting underserved populations. A report generated from the meeting highlighted key legislative recommendations, including the long-term cost savings of addressing obesity, the need for stronger school nutrition standards and the importance of expanding access to preventative care and obesity treatments through the state Medicaid program.

As a result, I have proposed multiple pieces of legislation aimed at addressing chronic obesity, including, House Bill (HB)1202, which seeks to expand Medicaid coverage for obesity treatments, ensuring that more Hoosiers have access to the care they need.

In 2022, obesity’s economic impact in Indiana was estimated at $9.3 billion, with $996 million directly affecting the state budget. The disease drives up medical expenses, disability costs, and government spending on Medicaid and other public assistance programs. Expanding access to comprehensive obesity treatments through the SEHP and Medicaid, along with other interventions, could save taxpayer dollars and improve overall health outcomes for Hoosiers.

In a presentation at the COSM, Tim Dall, Executive Director of Life Sciences Consulting at Global Data, highlighted that even a modest 5% weight loss could reduce the prevalence of chronic diseases like diabetes by 30% over the next decade, saving approximately $8 billion in medical costs. More substantial weight loss (20-25%) could result in an estimated $20 billion in economic savings within the same timeframe.

House Bill 1138 expands health coverage for state employees by mandating that their health plans cover anti-obesity medications and intensive behavioral and lifestyle therapies for eligible individuals.

House Bill 1139 focuses on improving Hoosiers' health by expanding the Indiana Department of Health’s (IDH) Pilot Produce Rx program that helps individuals be prescribed healthy food as medicine.

My legislation also focuses on improving the overall health and wellness of Hoosiers. One initiative aims to improve local wellness initiatives in schools, ensuring that students have access to health and wellness programs that promote a healthy lifestyle and positive learning environment. House Bill 1163 prioritizes student wellness by creating a fund that provides financial support to schools for implementing local wellness initiatives.

Public Health:

HB 1048 proposes an increase in personal allowances for Medicaid recipients and Hoosiers residing in health care facilities, raising the current allowance from $52 to $100 per month. This increase will help individuals purchase essential items not covered by Medicaid, improving their quality of life.

House Bill (HB) 1065 aims to support cancer patients by establishing a framework for organizations to provide financial assistance to those participating in clinical trials. This bill also requires the Indiana Department of Health to offer guidance and resources for program implementers.

House Bill 1161 addresses the quality of care for home healthcare recipients by establishing a licensure program for home health aides, ensuring all aides are properly trained and qualified.

House Bill 1246 would establish a comprehensive student support program. This program would work to improve teacher-to-student ratios, enhance school safety and increase professional development opportunities of schools across the state.

Tenant Rights:

My legislation also includes provisions aimed at strengthening tenant rights – a pressing issue in Indiana. Currently, on average, only 4% of tenants are represented in eviction proceedings, compared to 83% of landlords. However, when tenants receive legal representation, their chances of staying in their homes increase significantly—evidenced by the 84% of tenants in New York City who remain in their homes with representation. House Bill 1140 would provide funding for counsel when tenants are facing eviction.

The Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority would administer these programs. Additionally, House Bill 1162 seeks to protect renters by capping excessive rent increases, limiting both the percentage of increase and the frequency with which rents can be raised in a given year. These measures will provide more stability and security for tenants across Indiana.

Below is the complete list of legislation I have filed for the 2025 legislative session:

1.) HB1048: Personal allowance for facility residents.

2.) HB1065: Cancer clinical trial program.

3.) HB 1138: Coverage for obesity treatments.

4.) HB 1139: Expansion of produce Rx pilot grant program.

5.) HB 1140: Eviction assistance grant program.

6.) HB 1161: Licensure of home health aides.

7.) HB 1162: Rental rate increase control.

8.) HB 1163: School wellness grant fund.

9.) HB 1202: Medicaid coverage for treatment of obesity.

10.) HB 1246: Comprehensive student support program.

I am proud to have introduced legislation that addresses critical needs across our state. From ensuring cancer patients in underserved areas to expanding access to healthy food, these bills reflect my commitment to improving the wellbeing of all Hoosiers. After all, health truly is wealth. By working together, we can build a healthier, stronger and more equitable future for our communities.

First Lady Maureen Braun’s Women Entrepreneurs Breakfast

On Jan. 13, I had the honor of attending Indiana First Lady Maureen Braun’s Women Entrepreneurs breakfast, alongside hundreds of women who came together to celebrate Indiana’s trailblazing female entrepreneurs. In part of the Braun Inauguration ceremonies, this event highlighted women entrepreneurs and their role in Indiana’s economy. I want to thank Engaging Solutions LLC for the invitation to join their table.