Garten Welfare Reform Bill Heads to Governor

Senate Enrolled Act 1, a sweeping reform package authored by Senate Majority Floor Leader Chris Garten, has cleared its final legislative hurdle and is now headed to the Governor’s desk after passing the Senate by a 39–9 vote. The measure represents one of the most comprehensive overhauls of Indiana’s Medicaid and SNAP eligibility and enforcement standards in decades, with a stated goal of curbing waste, fraud, and abuse while safeguarding taxpayer dollars.

A Push for Stronger Safeguards

Garten has framed the legislation as a response to growing concerns about the long-term sustainability of public assistance programs and the need for stricter oversight. According to the release, Medicaid costs in Indiana have doubled over the last four years, heightening urgency around tightening eligibility standards and enforcement practices.

At the core of SEA 1 is what is described as a permanent “Hoosiers First” firewall, designed to ensure that public assistance is reserved for individuals who meet eligibility requirements. The legislation mandates that applicants verify legal residency as part of the application process and establishes protocols for cases in which residency cannot be verified.

Reinforcing Eligibility Standards

The reform package restores an asset test for SNAP applicants by ending the use of expanded categorical eligibility, which had allowed some applicants to bypass a full review of financial resources. Under SEA 1, applicants will once again undergo a mandatory assessment of assets to ensure that benefits are directed toward individuals in genuine financial need.

The legislation also establishes specific income and resource standards for SNAP eligibility and requires state officials to verify immigration status for applicants and share information with federal agencies when verification cannot be completed. In addition, SNAP benefits would be prohibited from being used to purchase candy and soft drinks, with the state required to seek any necessary federal waivers to implement that change.

Changes to Medicaid and the Healthy Indiana Plan

SEA 1 introduces several changes to Medicaid administration, including new timelines for eligibility redeterminations and requirements for transmitting information to federal authorities to prevent individuals from being enrolled in Medicaid in more than one state. The bill also adjusts how the initial date of Medicaid assistance is determined based on application timing and modifies countable income standards.

For the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP), the legislation reinstates work and exemption requirements for able-bodied, working-age adults and requires individuals to meet those conditions for the three months preceding enrollment. Ongoing compliance with work requirements must be verified at least quarterly. The bill also shortens the eligibility period for HIP from 12 months to semiannual renewals and introduces additional copayments for nonemergency use of emergency room services.

A Broad Legislative Effort

SEA 1 was authored by Sen. Chris Garten along with Sens. Ryan Mishler and Ed Charbonneau, with a large group of co-authors and sponsors involved in advancing the measure. The bill passed both chambers following amendments, with final concurrence recorded on February 25.

As the bill now moves to the Governor’s desk, its passage marks a significant moment in the ongoing effort to reshape how Indiana administers public assistance programs. Supporters have emphasized that the reforms are intended to strengthen program integrity, ensure responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars, and preserve resources for those who qualify for assistance under the law.