Johnson County among handful to join rest of Indiana opt in for second year of historic public health initiative

Wednesday, May 22, 2024 at 6:10 AM

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Governor Eric J. Holcomb announced that all 92 Indiana counties have opted in to Health First Indiana (HFI) funding for 2025.

HFI was established by legislation passed in the 2023 legislative session that transforms public health, and Gov. Holcomb has made public health a priority of his administration.

In January 2025, $150 million in Health First Indiana funding will be distributed among the 92 counties. New counties opting in to HFI for next year are Crawford, Fountain, Harrison, Johnson, Wells and Whitley. Historically, Indiana’s counties shared $6.9 million in public health funding annually from the state. In 2024, the first year of the new legislation, 86 counties opted-in and received a total of $75 million.

“This historic investment promises to help improve the health of Hoosiers,” Gov. Holcomb said. “I’m beyond grateful for all the local officials, health departments and legislative leaders who are embracing HFI 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."

Counties determine how the funding will help provide access to core public health services that address issues such as childhood lead poisoning, heart disease, tobacco cessation, obesity, and maternal and infant mortality to improve Indiana’s health outcomes.

“Local health departments across the state are working to create new partnerships and programs to enhance their public health services,” State Health Commissioner Lindsay Weaver, M.D., FACEP said. “I continue to be impressed by the level of engagement from Hoosier communities, including businesses and hospitals that have pledged their support.”

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