Counties all across Indiana are joining hands to welcome a substantial increase in state funding for their public health programs. Senate Enrolled Act 4 (2023), led by state Senator Ed Charbonneau, introduced "Health First Indiana" in response to the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, which has sadly claimed over 25,000 lives in the state since 2020.
With support from the Republican-controlled General Assembly and Governor Eric Holcomb, House Enrolled Act 1001 (2023) allocated a significant $75 million for local public health in 2024, with an additional $150 million set aside for 2025. This is a substantial increase compared to previous state budgets, which only provided $6.9 million for local public health.
In return for this funding boost, counties pledged to use it exclusively for essential "core public health services," such as disease prevention, maternal and child health, and health education. They also committed to transparently tracking how the funds are spent and reporting their results to the state and the public. Additionally, counties promised to maintain their existing levels of local government funding for public health services.
Lake, Porter, LaPorte, Newton, and Jasper counties have all opted to participate in Health First Indiana, with substantial funding increases on the horizon. This funding surge will support critical public health initiatives and represents a significant departure from previous years' funding levels.
Photo Credit: minnesota-corn-growers-association
Categories: Indiana, Government & Policy