Democratic legislators see a few wins, a lot of missed opportunities

INDIANAPOLIS— The morning after the 2020 legislative session adjourned, Democrats — deep in the minority in the Indiana General Assembly — were celebrating some small wins while lamenting what they saw as missed opportunities.

House Minority Leader Phil GiaQuinta, D-Fort Wayne, said Thursday that House Democrats overall felt successful, despite being outnumbered 67-33 by Republicans. He said they checked off some goals on their agenda, including lowering health care costs, continuing to support traditional public schools, improving school safety and taking initiatives to provide relief for Indiana’s working families.

Senate Minority Leader Tim Lanane, the Anderson Democrat who leads 11 Democrats in the 50-member Senate, agreed. He singled out a measure championed by Sen. David Niezgodski, D-South Bend, and passed as part of House Bill 1372 to provide health coverage for two pediatric autoimmune diseases, known by the acronyms PANS and PANDAS.

“I am so thrilled that I can share with Hoosier families that we have given their children a second chance at life,” Niezgodski said in a statement. “This bill will truly save the lives of Hoosier kids. Families all across our state can now breathe a sigh of relief that their health insurance company cannot deny them coverage for PANS and PANDAS treatment. No longer will families go bankrupt or lose their homes because they can’t afford to treat their children who suffer from these disorders.”

Read more: http://thestatehousefile.com/democratic-legislators-see-a-few-wins-a-lot-of-missed-opportunities/41300/