STATEHOUSE (May 19, 2021) – Legislation establishing a state health improvement plan and a $50 million grant program targeting Hoosiers' most critical health challenges is now law, according to State Reps. Don Lehe (R-Brookston) and Heath VanNatter (R-Kokomo).
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. Lehe said the grant program will help improve Indiana's declining public health by allocating $50 million over two years to initiatives addressing health disparities.
"As we've worked tirelessly to slow the spread of COVID-19, the pandemic further emphasized the urgent need for Hoosiers to improve their health," said Lehe, a member of the House Public Health Committee. "This new law will fund important initiatives that help us build on our efforts to make the state healthier overall."
VanNatter said the grant program will give preference to proposals focused on improving chronic health problems such as diabetes, obesity and cardiovascular diseases. Grants could be used for both new and existing programs and initiatives.
"Many of these chronic health problems are preventable by making certain lifestyle choices when it comes to diet and exercise," VanNatter said. "This grant funding, whether for new or existing programs, will go a long way toward providing education and resources to help get Hoosiers healthier."
The grant program will be modeled after Indiana's successful Safety PIN program, which helped lower the state's infant mortality rate through providing funding to local health organizations. After the Safety PIN program was implemented, Indiana reached a record-low infant mortality rate last year for the first time in our state's history.
House Enrolled Act 1007 will take effect July 1.
-30-
State Rep. Don Lehe (R-Brookston) represents House District 25, which
includes portions of Carroll, Cass, Clinton, Tippecanoe and White counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
State Rep. Heath VanNatter (R-Kokomo) represents House District 38,
which includes portions of Carroll, Cass, Howard and Clinton counties.
Click here to download a high-resolution photo.
