The Governor has done several things right by guiding his Healthier Indiana plan into law. He’s creating a plan that gives employed but uninsured Hoosiers some health coverage. And he’s raising the money by taxing the state’s largest contributor to Hoosier’s poor health, cigarettes. It’s got symmetry alright, as well as some significant challenges.

The plan is modeled on health savings accounts, which have not been seen much in the low-income population. Educating this population on the difference between an HSA and traditional coverage is an essential first step, and a big one at that.

The Governor’s plan also excludes people who have an option to enroll in an employer-sponsored health plan, but do not. That’s no small group.

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