INDIANAPOLIS – As Vice President Pence returns to Indiana today to fundraise for Rep. Braun, Hoosiers are wondering whether either will address the wedge created by Rep. Braun’s consistent opposition to HIP 2.0.
HIP 2.0 provides health care for more than 300,000 Hoosiers and was one of Pence’s few bipartisan accomplishments as governor, but Rep. Braun has supported gutting it time and again. In 2016, Rep. Braun opposed major legislation designed to codify HIP 2.0 despite Pence’s strong support for the bill. Rep. Braun has also made clear he’d support last year’s GOP legislation that would have dismantled the health care system and gutted HIP 2.0.
Now, Pence is coming back to Indiana to raise money for Rep. Braun, but he must be aware that he’s campaigning for a man who would likely continue his crusade against a key part of his agenda if elected to the Senate.
“It could get pretty awkward as the former governor attempts to raise money for a candidate who voted against and continues to oppose one of the few bright spots of his administration,” said Michael Feldman, spokesman for the Indiana Democratic Party. “Rep. Braun’s opposition to health care legislation that expanded access to more than 300,000 Hoosiers in need doesn’t just show he’s out of touch with Indiana – it shows there’s a break between him and the man he’s depending on for an electoral lifeline this year.”
###