Legislation establishing a state health improvement plan and a $50 million grant program targeting Hoosiers’ most critical health challenges is now law, according to Hamilton County lawmakers.
“The COVID-19 pandemic shined a bright light on Indiana’s public health challenges,” House Speaker Todd Huston (R-Fishers) said. “We know this virus and other diseases can adversely impact those with underlying health conditions, and this initiative seeks to make a measureable impact on the overall wellbeing of our state.”
State Rep. Tony Cook (R-Cicero) said under the new law, the Indiana Department of Health and the Family and Social Services Administration will prepare a plan on how to best improve the physical and behavioral health of Hoosiers.
“We know many Hoosiers are struggling with diabetes, obesity and addiction, which can negatively impact so many aspects of their lives,” Cook said. “This new law is about finding solutions to these issues and others in order to improve the health of our local communities.”
According to State Rep. Chuck Goodrich (R-Noblesville), the grant program will help improve Indiana’s public health by allocating $50 million over two years to initiatives addressing health disparities.
“This is a strategic investment to get more Hoosiers on a healthier path,” Goodrich said. “We must take a hard look at our overall health and work with community partners to develop attainable goals that improve outcomes for Hoosiers.”
The grant program will give preference to proposals focused on improving chronic health problems such as diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular diseases. State Rep. Chris Jeter (R-Fishers) said grants can be used for both new and existing programs and initiatives.
“Our state continues to lag behind others in many key health metrics,” Jeter said. “This new law empowers local organizations to develop strategies addressing their communities’ most pressing health disparities and enhance Hoosiers’ overall quality of life.”
The grant program will be modeled after Indiana’s successful Safety PIN program, which helped lower the state’s infant mortality rate by providing funding to local health organizations. After the Safety PIN program was developed through legislation co-authored by State Rep. Donna Schaibley (R-Carmel), Indiana reached a record-low infant mortality rate last year for the first time in state history.
“Indiana’s Safety PIN program has proven to be a community-based solution to help our state reduce the number of infant mortalities, and provide at-risk mothers and their children an opportunity to thrive,” Schaibley said. “It’s a great model to follow in order to identify and solve our greatest public health challenges.”
State Rep. Jerry Torr (R-Carmel) said House Enrolled Act 1007 will take effect July 1.
“Our state has long struggled with chronic health issues, which has increased spending and limited economic growth,” Torr said. “This new law is a step in the right direction to help improve the health of Hoosiers and our communities.”
For more information about this new law, visit iga.in.gov.