Earlier this year, Congress passed the landmark healthcare reform bill known as the Affordable Care Act (ACA). While many have debated the merits of this legislation, there is no debating the fact that ACA will profoundly impact healthcare in Indiana.

The legislation includes a number of funding opportunities for the State of Indiana and ways for many Hoosiers to try to improve our healthcare. As of today, our state has ignored these opportunities. Grants worth hundreds of millions of dollars may go to other states. We must work together to ensure that Indiana does not miss these opportunities. All options must be thoroughly investigated so that healthcare reform can work for all of our residents and businesses. We cannot afford to be behind the curve.

Healthcare reform affects all of us. Thousands of Hoosiers continue to go without health insurance and small businesses are often strained by the rising costs of providing health benefits to their employees. They are tired up in knots applying for programs that don’t satisfy employer or employees. If we work at it, ACA might just stimulate the creation of private sector jobs and give everyday Hoosiers the healthcare coverage they need. Griping will accomplish nothing.