The Indiana State Legislature will wrap up its 2025 session on April 29th.  Now is the time to advocate—and make your voice heard on the bills and budget items that impact the causes you care about most. 

Here in Madison County, our United Way is working to: 

• Help children succeed in school and build a foundation for future employment. 

• Support families striving for financial stability and security. 

• Ensure access to quality healthcare. 

• Strengthen communities by addressing their most pressing needs. 

Not all our neighbors are thriving equally. Disaggregated data reveals disparities in education, financial stability, and health. To address the root causes of such disparities, we provide grants, collaborate through collective impact coalitions, and inspire donors, volunteers, and advocates to raise their voices for those in need. 

This legislative session, we are monitoring bills that affect those working multiple jobs yet still struggling to make ends meet. While we all want an efficient and effective government, many agree that they do not want it at the expense of hard-working Hoosiers or our youngest citizens.  

Two critical issues in this session threaten them: 

• Healthcare Access: Senate Bill 2, the Medicaid Matters Bill, could put thousands of Hoosiers at risk of losing their healthcare insurance. In our five counties alone, an estimated 7,000 people, many of whom are low-wage workers, rural families, and individuals with chronic health conditions—could lose coverage. Without proper access to care, families are forced to rely on emergency rooms for treatment—which threatens to drive up costs, and it worsens already poor health outcomes in our region. 

• Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library: In the last budget cycle, Indiana funded half of the program’s enrollees statewide. Our United Way coordinates this initiative across our footprint, providing children newborn to age five with a free book every month. State funding allowed us to double enrollments, stretching donor dollars further. However, with current plans to cut this funding, enrollment numbers may be slashed in half. Governor Braun has tasked his wife with seeking philanthropic support, but the need for public funding remains urgent. 

If you care about children, low-wage workers, and rural communities, stay informed about bills affecting housing, healthcare, and education. Advocacy is vital in a democracy, and lawmakers need to hear from you. To ensure elected officials hear your concerns: 

• Clearly state what action you want your legislator to take. 

• Cite specific bill names. 

• Use concise bullet points when writing. 

• Share why the issue matters to you and your community. 

• Remain respectful. Disagreement is fine, but civility ensures your message will be heard. 

• Build relationships with legislators; thank them for their time and stay engaged throughout the year. 

Find advocacy resources and more information at HeartOfIndianaUnitedWay.org or call 765-288-5586. Your voice matters—use it to make a difference!