Author Senator Ed Charbonneau, (R-Valparaiso), spoke before the Senate Chamber last Thursday to testify on his Senate Bill 4. Charbonneau said the bill seeks to bring more state funding and assistance to local health departments.
Indiana’s public health rankings have fallen short recently. In Governor Eric Holcomb’s proposed budget, he announced wanting to invest $240 billion in public health due to Indiana being ranked 45th in the nation for public health funding.
Additionally, according to the Governor’s Public Health Commission, “Since 2000, the state budget only provides $6.7-$6.9 million of direct funding each year to local health departments.”
With these concerns in mind, over 20 senators are listed as authors and sponsors of the bill, crossing party lines.
If passed completely through the House and turned into law, SB 4 would “require each local board of health to establish a local public health services fund to receive state funding” and allow the Indiana State Health Department to offer guidance to smaller local health departments. The bill also covers such matters as the creation of new local health departments, vision tests in schools and more.
The bill passed out of the Senator with a vote of 41-7.
Indiana News Powered by Franklin College Journalism Students—Ashlyn Myers
Marshall County Coroner appoints John Lampkins as Chief Deputy Coroner
DCS releases 2024 child fatality report
Walkertson driver arrested for reckless driving minutes after speeding citation
Etna Green man arrested on outstanding Kosciusko County warrant
Harlan man arrested for driving on suspended license
Two Rochester people arrested on marijuana charges after traffic stop
Marshall County under Travel Advisory due to snow, wind
Culver woman dies following two-vehicle crash at U.S. 31 and S.R. 10
