Although he left the Indiana House of Representatives in 2002, Hoosier taxpayers have helped foot the bill for former Speaker and Democratic candidate for Governor John Gregg and his family’s health care to the tune of $200,000 and taxpayers are expected to pay an additional $36,000 this year.
According to House records requested by Indy Politics, Gregg, his ex-wife, current wife and dependent sons were all beneficiaries of the program.
The lifetime health benefit was created in mid-2002, however House Speaker Brian Bosma ended it administratively in 2006 and the program was statutorily repealed in 2007.
Records kept by House staff show Gregg is still receiving the coverage. Coverage for his former spouse ended in June 5, 2006. Coverage for his current wife began on March 30, 2013 and coverage for his two sons ended on December 31 of 2015.
Those same records also show the House of Representatives has paid $202,863.63 in benefits for Gregg and his family through the end of 2015 and is expected to pay another $36,251.01 in 2016.
According to House records less than two dozen lawmakers have taken advantage of the lifetime heath care program.
Indy Politics has reached out to the Gregg campaign for comment, however they did not respond.
They did respond to an inquiry by Niki Kelly, Statehouse reporter for the Ft. Wayne Journal Gazette who had also been working on the story.
