INALA-SPECIAL PATHWAYS WAITLIST ISSUE
October 15, 2024, News Conference
INALA has been working closely with State Representative Carey Hamilton (D-Indianapolis) to tell the story of the devastating impact the Medicaid Waitlist is having on the elderly and vulnerable Hoosiers throughout our state.
We are so appreciative of our INALA membership who are stepping up in many ways to amplify the need to eliminate the waitlist. See the list below of those who specifically were instrumental in bringing this news conference together.
But first, here are just two of the many press releases that were a result of the October 15th news conference. These articles tell the story of how the Medicaid Waitlist severely impacted a 103-year-old resident and her family. Please take a few minutes to review:
Hamilton holds press conference on impact of the Medicaid waiver waitlist | Indiana House Democratic Caucus
https://indianahousedemocrats.org/news-media/hamiltons-holds-press-conference-of-the-medicaid-waiver-waitlist
Woman 103 dies on an FSSA Medicaid waiver waitlisthttps://www.wthr.com/article/news/local/indiana-woman-103-dies-on-an-fssa-medicaid-waiver-waitlist/531-97f42a3c-39ee-4289-8bbd-0bb3d6a00ce7?ref=exit-recirc
There are many people to thank for bringing this press conference together.
Thank you to the leadership at Bloom Senior Living for enabling us to hold the press conference at their Bloom at Kessler location. And especially for all the staff at Bloom for their love and support of Josephine, the 103-year-old resident who, like so many, was caught up in this waitlist nightmare.
Thank you to Camille Beeson, Regional Director of Operations, Wyndmoor of Castleton. Who first introduced us to Representative Hamilton.
Thank you to Representative Carey Hamilton for her commitment to making sure all are aware of this tragic situation.
Thank you to Courtney Bell, Democratic Caucus Press Secretary, for her hard work in arranging all the logistics for this news conference.
And of course, thank you to Jo Lynn Garing who had the courage in the midst of her own grief to humanize this story. Many times, we hear statistics but do not grasp the fact that each number represents a personal story.
The Medicaid waitlist affects the entire Indiana assisted living industry. Even if your community does not participate in the Medicaid waiver, you will most likely be in the situation of assisting a resident who is running out of private assets and needs to move to a participating Medicaid Waiver Assisted Living. Please get involved in any way you can. You can make a difference.
Feel free to reach out to me at dkenyon@leadingageindiana.org if you are interested in participating in this important issue.
It is my privilege to serve you.
Dan
