Governor Holcomb has made it a priority to tackle Indiana’s physical and mental health challenges.
In 2021, he issued an executive order to establish the Governor’s Public Health Commission charged with assessing Indiana’s public health system to identify both strengths and weaknesses, ways to improve the delivery of services and address funding challenges, and potential legislative proposals to improve the system.
The report concluded that “Indiana must take action to transform the state’s public health system…”
So in the 2023 legislative session, Governor Holcomb used the Commission’s report to lead the charge in overhauling Indiana’s century-old public health system, proudly signing Senate Enrolled Act 4 (2023) into law. As a result, $263 million was dedicated to fulfilling the Commission’s recommendations, including $225 million for increased funding to local public health departments that opt-in to a partnership with the state to provide “core public health services.”
That same session, Governor Holcomb proudly signed Senate Enrolled Act 1 (2023) to expand the number of certified behavioral health clinics in Indiana and set up the 988 crisis response hotline House Enrolled Act 1006 (2023) to divert people with mental health challenges away from jail and into treatment centers.
Fast Facts
- “My Healthy Baby,” an initiative launched by Governor Holcomb in 2020, is now available statewide to help improve the health outcomes of mothers and their babies.
- To fight the opioid epidemic, Governor Holcomb launched “Next Level Recovery” in 2017 and appointed the state’s first executive director for drug prevention, treatment, and enforcement to coordinate the state’s efforts to combat addiction.
- In 2018, Governor Holcomb proudly signed a law that allows prosecutors to charge drug dealers with the highest possible felony when their actions lead to the death of a fellow Hoosier.
- Under Governor Holcomb’s leadership, Indiana is implementing the Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide Among Service Members, Veterans, and their Families.