The American Spectator

prisonman| 11.3.08 @ 7:38AM

The New Castle prison is run by the GEO Group, not Corrections Corporation of America.

Bob Miller| 11.3.08 @ 11:03AM

I, too, have experienced the newly efficient BMV branch in Nora, on several occasions. This thing moves like lightning, the new wonder of the world. That a Hoosier politician could actually make this happen is mind-boggling.

Dave Heinekamp| 11.3.08 @ 1:27PM

I would be surprised if Daniels is on the national ticket in 2012. He has said on many occasions that this is his last political campaign. He has even based one of his television ads on this premise. It would be a major flip-flop for him to run for any office in the future.

Rantly McTirade| 11.3.08 @ 5:20PM

As a native of Indiana, and still living next-door,
I'll just note that Daniels is the kind of Republican(corporatist & amoral) the keeps me registered independent.

Chris Slade| 11.3.08 @ 6:43PM

Simply put for IN to be in the black while our neighbors: IL, OH, MI are struggling to stay fiscally viable and are shedding jobs is an achievement that can't be ignored. He is governing like a buisnessman and it works.

Ms. Know| 11.14.08 @ 11:14AM

The fact that the left-wing illuminati won Indiana shocked me tremendously. Everyone has fell for this change that the elitist are promising.

angie| 11.20.08 @ 1:14AM

Daniel's endevour to "balance the budget" has put many disabled hoosiers at a substantially increased risk of death due to decreased coverage. Due to pre-existing conditions these people are denied medical insurance - medicaid is their ONLY option. Any one of us, at any time, can become totally and permanently disabled.

Anyone can "balance a budget" when they have no conscience or concern for life sustaining healthcare that determine the difference between life and death.

It seems that Daniel's only interest is in his own "reputation" as "the Governor that balanced the budget" - but when doing so is at the expense of the lives of our citizens - taxpayers - with a surplus to boot - is detrimental to everyone. Any one of us, at anytime, can suffer a permanent injury resulting in a pre-existing condition that negates eligibility for health insurance.

Indiana Medicaid now only pays $600 a year for dental care for those over 21. My 28 year old disabled son has congenital heart disease that requires he receive and had always received ongoing dental care with no cost limits- a tooth infection could lead to a fatal heart infection called Endocarditis. As each day goes by he is at risk for Endocarditis - an infection of the tissue lining the heart. Almost always, the disease involves the heart valves - the bacteria enters the bloodstream from the mouth. Sometimes this occurs when there is a minor dental infection. Because of a stroke at age 2 he has trouble swollowing, and the medicines he takes cause tooth decay.

He has only half a heart and only one heart valve, and the one valve he has leaks. He likely would not survive this infection.

He needs an estimated $3,000 in dental work; I have no idea how I am going to pay for this, and as each day passes he is at significant risk for this fatal infection.

I am his sole caregiver so my income is extremely limited, and I have no assets - I sold what little I owned to take him to Colorado to be evaluated for a heart transplant; he didn't meet the critria in Indiana.

Up until 2 years ago his dental was completely covered. We recently returned to Indiana from Colorado - upon our return we learned that since we left he is no longer covered for dental treatment over $600 a year.

After the transplant evaluation it was determined he could have the transplant at Colorado Children's - but too soon to do just yet. Because of the high altitude his Dr could not get his congestive heart failure symptoms under control so we returned to Indiana until the time comes to do the transplant.

Colorado had NO dental coverage for medicaid and during that period he developed several surface cavities. His cardiologist sent a letter to the dental department at Colorado University Hospital stressing he needed treatment despite no coverage. Was told by the dentist the only way they could fix his teeth is if it were paid for, and that medicaid would cover if done all at once under anesthesia. We agreed that is what we would do - this was in July - but they were backlogged until Oct. When Oct arrived he was severely symptomatic and his cardiologist said it would put him at too high of a risk of stroke to take him off the blood thinner to do the dental procedure at that time.

We returned to Indiana and his symptoms immediately diminished - he could now have the dental work. BUT - learned that since we left he is no longer covered for dental care over $600.

Another problem upon our return - Indiana is one of only 10 states that will not transfer medicaid coverage from another state. A three month wait to go through the entire application process - the other 40 states determine eligibility based on SSI eligibilty which is more difficult to get approval than medicaid.

As a result he had no coverage for his medications or doctor visits - he's on ten different meds. He has received medicaid in Indiana his entire life and has had the same cardiologist.

When I called to transfer his medicaid back to Indiana I was repeatedly given incorrect information. I was told he would need to re-apply and that their records went back only one year. I was also incorrectly told that his Colorado medicaid would have to be discontinued before his app could be processed here. Called my state rep who found this was not true and I was able to have meds shipped from Colorado until approval here.

Upon our return everything had changed - I had a very difficult time finding an internal medicine doctor to accept medicaid - was told "their panels were full; and many no longer accept medicaid because they now pay slow/pay very little". I had never had any problem getting him into see ANY doctor before.

6 months later he received a letter, he needed to re-apply AGAIN. At the interview I asked why, commenting that it seemed like a waste of taxpayer money to pay someone to completely process AGAIN as well as the Dr's time filling out the paperwork AGAIN when he has been permanently and totally disabled his entire life - had never had to do this before - he has Cerebral Palsy. His caseworker said the letter was computer generated, a mistake - and that "it was against the law" to have him re-apply 6 months later. But, she said he would need to go through the entire application process AGAIN in one year; AGAIN, a waste of taxpayer money and Dr's time.

I asked her about the $600 limit on dental and was advised to check into a medicaid waiver. When I asked how to apply, her response was "I don't know - you can try Central Indiana Council On Aging (CICOA)- I don't have their number, I know it's hard to find, but keep trying, it is out there somewhere...."

Shouldn't his "medicaid caseworker" have the information on applying for a "medicaid waiver"? He had always had a waiver before, processed by his caseworker. After contacting CICOA was told they have nothing to do with medicaid waivers.

Also, during his initial interview was advised by his caseworker that he would likely be eligible for food stamps. Said O.K. - every little bit helps. She only asked me what he paid in rent - that was it. Told me he would receive $153/month.

Then received a letter he would receive $40/month. After repeated calls to caseworker, calls were never returned. Called her supervisor -and still no return call - after the fifth call she answered. I was told that the amount was based on his expenses and that "I had told the caseworker he paid ONLY rent". I told her she only asked me what he paid in rent, and nothing more - in actuality what he receives in SSI does not cover all of his monthly expenses. She then factored in utilities, healthcare co-pays, etc. - determined he would receive $94/month.

I then received a letter stating that MY application for food stamps was denied for "failure to cooperate" I DID NOT EVEN APPLY! My name was on the application as a household member, and nothing more! There was a section to fill out to apply for food stamps, I DID NOT FILL IT OUT FOR EITHER OF US - IT WAS SUGGESTED BY HIS CASEWORKER THAT HE WOULD LIKELY BE ELIGIBLE!

This is an example of the problem with privatizing social services. Without competition there is no incentive to be competitive, efficient, competent, and there is no accountability.

I have been in contact with many people experiencing the same lack of access to critically, life sustaining healthcare since these changes went into effect - pre-existing conditions make it impossible to get health insurance at any cost.

My son is lucky that he has me to advocate for him, and even I am at a loss for resolution. I am deeply concerned for those who are disabled and have no help in dealing with these unnecessary obstacles that result in life threatening situations.

I am trying to find a solution but under a constant state of stress. At least I won't have to stand in line at the license branch.

Governor Daniels - BRAVO....

Shawn McIntyre| 11.30.08 @ 1:10PM

I totally feel you on this issue. I suffer from fibromyalgia and see a pain doctor monthly. Until last month everything was fine.
I then went in for my appointment and was informed I was no longer covered by insurance and that I would have to pay to see the doctor.
I am on 10 medications a day, I could not afford to get my medications.
Since I no longer have a caseworker and everything is handled over the phone, I called!
I have called over 10 times and receieve a different story each time. The last call I waited on hold for 45 minutes to be told that everything had been fixed and my case had been reopened. So I called the doctor to only find out.. IT WAS NOT FIXED.AND I HAVE NO INSURANCE..
I do not know where to turn, or what to do!! Who do you call?? I am at a lose, I can see my doctors or get my medication!