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Sponsor says SB1 will tighten Medicaid and SNAP eligibility; advocates warn of added paperwork and coverage churn
Summary
Sen. Garten told the House Ways and Means Committee SB1 would end broad-based categorical eligibility, verify immigration and citizenship for applicants and align state rules with HR1 work requirements. FSSA described operational limits and asked for follow-up; providers and advocacy groups warned the changes could create administrative churn and hurt eligible Hoosiers.
Senator Garten urged the House Ways and Means Committee to pass Senate Bill 1 as a package of reforms intended to "restore trust in Medicaid and SNAP programs" by restoring asset tests, enforcing citizenship verification and aligning state law with federal HR1 work requirements. "If you have $100,000 in your bank account, you should not depend on the taxpayer for your groceries," the senator said in his opening remarks, arguing the bill closes what he called a verification loophole.
The sponsor described three main components: ending expanded broad‑based categorical eligibility (BBCE) so more applicants face asset and income verification; requiring state agencies to verify immigration or citizenship status and to refer applicants identified as present illegally to the Department of Homeland Security; and adopting federal HR1 changes including work requirements for able‑bodied adults and creation of…
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