A Recap of Indiana’s Legislative Session

The Indiana Legislature has wrapped up their work for this year! Thank you for using your voice to help make Indiana a healthier place. Here is an overview of all the important issues we worked on this year, and a sneak peek at what’s coming next.

Tobacco Control

HB 1001 – Budget Bill

As you may have heard, the Indiana legislature passed a $2 per pack tax increase for cigarettes, as well as a 30% tax increase for other tobacco products, vapes, and e-cigarettes. By raising taxes, Hoosiers are encouraged to quit using tobacco and other products. This is a huge win for the health of adults and children and your messages and calls to lawmakers made a big impact.

SB 453 – Heated Tobacco Products

There is a new non-combustible tobacco device that is a cross between a cigarette and a vape that hasn’t even been sold yet in Indiana. Big Tobacco testified urging lawmakers to lower the tax on their new product, but we were able to stop that proposal from moving forward. As a result, heated tobacco products will not receive a tax break, which is a big win!

Medicaid

SB2 – Medicaid Matters

Medicaid provides health care coverage to low-income individuals and families in Indiana that includes essential health services and improves preventative health measures. The proposed bill attacked Medicaid on multiple fronts, including cutting coverage for over 200,000 people, and setting a lifetime cap of being on Medicaid at 3 years. Thanks to the powerful testimony by advocates, we were able to protect Medicaid coverage for thousands of Hoosiers and prevent arbitrary lifetime caps on Medicaid coverage in Indiana, among other improvements.

Chain of Survival Policies

SB 350/HB 1002/ HB 1515 – Cardiac Emergency Response Plans (CERP) and Automated External Defibrillators (AED)

These bills went on a bit of a rollercoaster ride this year but ended with a win! On our lobby day advocates informed lawmakers about the necessity of CERPs and AEDs in schools, which was vital in moving this policy! Thanks to the efforts of Senator Rogers the final bill that passed included requirements for AEDs in schools and CERPs. In schools with AEDs, approximately 70% of children survive cardiac arrest – seven times the overall survival rate for children, and now all schools in Indiana will have them. Congratulations to all who advocated for CERPs and AED requirements on this win!

HB 1310 – Statewide Stroke Registry

During our lobby day advocates spoke with lawmakers about the importance of a statewide stroke registry. While it did not pass this year, educating lawmakers is an important step to passing this policy in the future, and we will continue to work with lawmakers to advance a statewide stroke registry next session!

It was a very busy session, and your advocacy had a real impact on making Indiana a healthier place. It’s important to celebrate our successes and look ahead to all the vital work to be done in 2026!