Mrvan Hosts Medicaid Roundtable
Valparaiso, IN – Today, Rep. Frank J. Mrvan hosted a roundtable with Community Mental Health Centers (CMHCs) and Federally Qualified Health Centers (FQHCs) to discuss the impact of cuts to Medicaid. The roundtable included representatives from 219 Health Network, Community HealthNet, Edgewater Health, HealthLinc, NorthShore Health Centers, Porter-Starke Services / Marram Health Center, Regional Health Systems, and the Swanson Center.
On July 3, 2025, Congressman Mrvan voted against the One Big Beautiful Bill, in part because it includes cuts to federal funding for Medicaid. For additional information on this recent law, click here.
Congressman Mrvan stated, “I thank all of the representatives from our region’s Community Mental Health Centers and Federally Qualified Health Centers for the invaluable services that they provide and for participating in this timely roundtable discussion. I look forward to continuing to partner with you and will not back down in advocating to reinstate these cuts to Medicaid.”
Dr. Janet Seabrook, CEO of Community HealthNet, stated, “Community HealthNet, Inc. has prided itself on providing much needed healthcare services for 29 years. The proposed cuts to Medicaid will impact multiple service lines from pediatric care, obstetrics, to geriatric care. The loss of Medicaid will cause the number of uninsured Americans to increase and the cost of providing service to increase. The losses will have an impact in the community from small businesses to entrepreneurs.”
Dr. Danita Johnson-Woods, President and CEO of Edgewater Health, stated, "I’m deeply concerned about the potential impact of this legislation on the people we serve in Gary and throughout Northwest Indiana. Our community depends on Medicaid, Medicare, and ACA coverage to access essential health services. A significant portion (close to 80%) of Edgewater Health’s population relies on Medicaid and Medicare. Cuts to these programs will reduce access to mental health, primary care, and substance use services—widening health disparities in a community already facing systemic barriers. Just as alarming as the challenges OBBA presents to those who need to enroll or stay enrolled in Medicaid is the adverse ripple effect for all participants in the healthcare system. Hospital emergency rooms will be subject to more overcrowding, and individuals with private insurance are likely to experience premium increases as an already stressed system tries to adjust to billions of dollars in losses in Indiana over the next decade. This is not about them, it's about us.”
Melissa Mitchell, Executive Director and CEO of HealthLinc, stated, “HealthLinc has spent years building a strong network of services that support and improve health outcomes across northern Indiana. Proposed Medicaid cuts, particularly to the Healthy Indiana Plan, threaten that progress by limiting access to essential care for working families, parents and entrepreneurs. Without this care, our communities risk losing valuable members of the workforce to preventable illness, while healthcare costs rise long-term due to the lack of early intervention. HealthLinc is deeply grateful to Congressman Mrvan for his continued commitment to protecting healthcare access for those who need it most.”
David Hall, CEO of NorthShore Health Centers, stated, “In 2024, 43.1% of our patients benefitted from access to Medicaid. In some of the cities we serve, that percentage is more than 60%. Medicaid is a vital part of ensuring our communities have access to healthcare, which our organization remains committed to. Congressman Mrvan and the community partners he put together for today's roundtable are all an important piece of how we remain dedicated to the health of all Hoosiers. We are grateful to have an elected official, in Mrvan, whose vote and voice are working towards guaranteeing every Indiana resident continues to have access to affordable healthcare.”
Matthew Burden, President and CEO of Porter-Starke Services, stated, “Medicaid supports the majority of people we serve, and there are a number of unintended consequences associated with work requirements and eligibility determinations that concern us. We just want to make sure that our clients can continue to get the care that they need, and Medicaid plays such a vital role in that.”
William Trowbridge, President and CEO of Regional Health Systems, stated, "More than 70% of the people we serve at Regional Health Systems rely on Medicaid for mental health, addiction services, and primary care. Changes this wide-sweeping carry a real risk of unintended consequences—especially for people already on the margins. That’s why I’m grateful to Congressman Mrvan for taking the time to listen, ask tough questions, and understand what these decisions mean in real life. That kind of thoughtful leadership is exactly what we need right now."
Katie Hasnieski, Executive Director and CEO of Swanson Center, stated, “The recent federal cuts to Medicaid will place a devastating strain on community mental health centers like ours, and more importantly, on the individuals and families who rely on us for care. These cuts threaten to reduce access to essential mental health and substance use services at a time when the demand for these services are higher than ever. We are deeply concerned about the long-term impact this will have on the well-being of our most vulnerable community members.”
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