Written by: Amy VanDuyn

For over ten years, Michelle Hennessee has served the state’s most vulnerable. She built ACE (Autism Center for Enrichment) from the ground up and has improved the lives of many families by providing critical treatment. She’s fought against insurance companies on behalf of her patients and even continued to provide treatment during COVID-19.

“I consider myself a Hoosier through and through,” says Hennessee. “But I cannot stand idly by and allow support to be stripped away from the very people that I have dedicated my life to understanding, supporting, and protecting. I had to take a stand and use my voice, my knowledge, and my experience to have the opportunity to bring change to Indiana.”

Two of Hennessee’s key platform issues are healthcare and the Medicaid waiver. She shares, “In 10 years I have not seen so many delays and denials as I have in the past two years. These corporations are being allowed to dictate the healthcare that people receive and are the only businesses in the world that can legally not pay their bills if they don’t want to. I would propose legislation that would hold commercial insurance companies accountable for timely payment, In addition to matching or exceeding Medicaid/Medicare rates for payment. Legislation like this would reduce the burden on the Medicaid system financially, increase individual provider financial sustainability, and increase quality healthcare options.”

Additionally, Hennessee sees opportunity with marijuana legalization, taxation, and regulation. “The tax revenue that would be collected from marijuana legalization could support optimizing infrastructure in Indiana in addition to supporting social programs, quality child care, and public education.”

Hennessee has a strong plan combining these platforms into one effective, and mutually beneficial solution. “Indiana was long recognized as one of the best states for Autism care, one of the most comprehensive Medicaid waiver programs, and high quality public education. Our current legislators are making quick work of gutting these programs and decreasing support for our most vulnerable populations. I understand the need for sustainability, which is why legalization of marijuana and taxation of such makes logical and financial sense. By the numbers, it is estimated that Indiana is missing out on over $170 million dollars annually in additional tax revenue from legalization, regulation, and taxation of marijuana.”

All Hoosiers would benefit from Hennessee’s plan, but no one understands the dire need for the changes she wants to make more than the families she’s helped. “She changed our lives!” says one mother of a child with profound autism.

Born and raised in Crown Point, Indiana in a union household, she’s now the mother of teenagers and resides in Johnson County with her union husband. She earned her BA in psychology from the University of Southern Indiana, and her MA in Applied Behavior Analysis from Ball State in 2015. She is the owner of ACE (Autism Center for Enrichment) in Greenfield, IN.

For more information, Hennessee may be reached at hennessee4in@gmail.com, on Facebook: Hennessee for Indiana House, and TikTok @hennessee.for.in.

“My wife is one of the most intelligent people I have ever met. She believes in acting according to science, data, and research and not emotion. When something is the right thing to do, Michelle doesn’t back down and will find a way.” -Richard