Westfield reader: Indiana Department of Health must prove that its intentions serve Hoosiers

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Dear Editor,

I am writing to reflect on the column “Hoosiers deserve increased funding for public health” by Richard Feldman, MD, published in The Reporter on Nov. 23.

I’m always skeptical when the word “deserve” is used to promote an idea or product. Have you noticed advertisers using that term to get you to buy their products? Dr. Feldman is trying to “sell” you a product, too. This “product” will cost Indiana taxpayers nearly $250 million a year if it is approved. Dr. Feldman is promoting the implementation of recommendations made by the Indiana Governor’s Public Health Commission (GPHC – Learn more here: Indiana Governor’s Public Health Commission).

While Hoosiers DO deserve high quality health services, the health status of Hoosiers is of the worst in the nation. Clearly, the money taxpayers have invested already has not produced positive results. In his column, Dr. Feldman indicates that across the nation public health services have played a key role in expanding the lifespan. He specifically mentions that disease prevention and safer living conditions were main contributors to the increased lifespan; however, the recommendations made by the GPHC focus very little on those two areas.

Dr. Feldman offers that the proposed funding will improve governance; the GPHC proposes improving governance by requiring any county health department that “chooses” to accept funding to comply with Indiana Department of Health (IDH) policies. This removes local jurisdiction. If your county has unique service needs that are not deemed acceptable at the state level, your county may not be allowed to fund those services. Conversely, the IDH can decide to enact policies that are not reflective of the local needs.

Dr. Feldman reports that school-based clinics are on the list of GPHC recommendations. Public health departments are not designed to provide health care services. They were created to enforce health policy and monitor health issues common to all citizens – restaurant safety, water safety, building and environmental safety, etc. Health departments should not be funding or assisting in creating health services in schools.

An argument could be made that having health services in schools allows for convenient access to quality medical care. However, the American Care Act was created to ensure access to affordable care. Children should have a consistent provider who knows the child and family personally; hopefully, this provider will care for them throughout their growth. Parents should be fully engaged in managing health care for their children; schools are not medical entities and can interfere with parental consent for care.

Data collection and SHARING is also noted as a recommendation. That means data collection about YOU! What does IDH do with your information? Why do they need it? Electronic medical records (EMR) are all the rage in the health arena. EMRs can be accessed by many people depending on who is involved with creating, designing, and submitting information to them. You have no control over who sees your medical information – nope, HIPPA doesn’t apply here. If there are errors in your record, you do not have the ability to ensure there are corrections or updates.

Certainly, having access to your medical records in an emergency can be valuable, but until your information is truly protected, and processes are in place to ensure accuracy, EMRs are not the answer to improved health outcomes.

Finally, what Dr. Feldman does not indicate is that the GCPH and IDH have not identified how the nearly $250 million in tax dollars will be distributed or administered; there are no plans in place. The IDH has not demonstrated a successful history of using taxpayer dollars to achieve improved health states, so how do they intend to change that course if they should be given more money?

Money is not the solution to health challenges; it can be helpful in the right hands and in the right circumstances. Dr. Feldman and the GPHC need to go back to the drawing board and create a plan that serves taxpayers.

IDH shouldn’t be given more money until they can prove their intentions serve the citizens of Indiana.

Cathy Herndon
Westfield