State Rep. Matt Lehman has rolled up his sleeves for a summer of deep dives and policy discussions, accepting several legislative interim committee appointments. Among these, Lehman will serve on the Interim Study Committee on Financial Institutions and Insurance. He stated that this particular committee "is going to take a close look at the increasing market concentration of the health care industry, from insurance providers to pharmacies." These words came directly from Lehman's mouth, according to an announcement via Indiana House Republicans.
Summer and fall will find state legislators, including Lehman, engrossed in scrutinizing pressing policy issues and integrating public perspectives into legislative recommendations for next year's session. When speaking on the objective of these committees, Lehman pinpointed the dire need to reign in the escalating costs of health care, asserting, "These trends effect the cost and quality of health care, so we are going to take a deep dive as part of our overall goal of lowering out-of-control costs."
The Berne representative's portfolio is packed. He is set to co-chair the Legislative Continuity Committee, lead the charge in the Legislative Council's Audit and Financial Reporting Subcommittee, and offer direction for the Oral History Project Advisory Committee. Lehman will also hold membership in the Legislative Council, the Indiana Semiquincentennial Commission, and the Legislative State of Emergency Advisory Group.
Accessible democracy is on Lehman's agenda, too. He encourages public participation, urging community members to attend, and, if so inclined, to testify at committee hearings. These sessions will be taking place at the Statehouse in Indianapolis, but for those who can't make it in person, Lehman reassures that all hearings will be livestreamed and archived for later viewing online. For the civically engaged who wish to mark their calendars, Lehman promises, "committee calendars and meeting agendas are posted" on the Indiana House Republicans' legislative website.
