Every Indiana county opts to receive state public health funding, despite initial concerns

All 92 Indiana counties opted into a $150 million state public health funding initiative in the second year of the program, despite initial hesitancy from some local officials about the state's increased involvement in public health following the COVID-19 pandemic.

Funding will be directed towards “core health services,” including disease prevention and control, immunizations and maternal and child health. Up to 40% can also be used for services such as food protection, sanitary inspection and pest control.

“This historic investment promises to help improve the health of Hoosiers,” Gov. Holcomb said in a statement. “I’m beyond grateful for all the local officials, health departments and legislative leaders who are embracing (the funding initiative) and implementing new health strategies that will now ultimately be available to every Hoosier.  It took a combination of courage and collaboration to significantly increase our commitment to help those who seek the means to help themselves, and for that, I’ll forever feel indebted."

The initiative stems from concerns about lack of and inconsistency in public health funding, particularly between counties.

Indiana ranks 35th in overall health, according to the United Health Foundation. This reflects various health risks, including some of the worst infant mortality rates and cancer mortality rates in the country.

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Last year, six counties opted out of funding: Fountain, Johnson, Whitley, Wells, Crawford and Harrison.

Lawmakers approved the increased state funding as part of 2023's Senate Enrolled Act 4 and the state budget, which allocated $225 million to a two-year program. Last year, 86 counties and three municipal health departments received a total of $75 million. Before that, Indiana only allocated $6.9 million annually in total to local health departments.

During the 2023 legislative session, some lawmakers and local officials spoke out against the bill. They opposed what they saw as a loss of local control, as state dollars came with certain standards and ways they could be used. Many also still lacked trust in Holcomb and the state health department in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill ultimately passed, but many conservative lawmakers remained concerned.

In 2025, Marion County will receive a minimum of approximately $23 million and could receive up to around $30 million. Last year, the county received nearly $12 million, which has been used for health personnel salaries and benefits, as well as services such as obesity prevention, maternal and mental health improvements and trauma and injury prevention.

Now that the six counties who didn’t participate last year opted in for the money this year, each county will receive between around $5.5 million and $7.7 million total.

Contact IndyStar politics Pulliam fellow Nadia Scharf at nscharf@indystar.com or follow her on Twitter @nadiaascharf.

This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: All counties opt into shared $150M in state public health funding