The Indiana General Assembly passed two important pieces of legislation in 2023 addressing the mental and physical health of Hoosiers. Both bills are products of state commissions formed to combat two different health crises facing Indiana. Senate Bill 1 and Senate Bill 4 were Senate priorities and received considerable media coverage throughout the process, and the Indiana Chamber strongly advocated for their passage at all stages of the legislative process.
In August 2022, the Governor’s Public Health Commission released an extensive report detailing Indiana’s lack of investment in health funding that has only been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to the Commission, Indiana’s life expectancy has dropped by six months after reaching a peak of 77.5 years in 2010. Indiana also ranks in the lowest 75% for a variety of health metrics including infant mortality, obesity and smoking.
Senate Bill 4, authored by Sen. Ed Charbonneau (R-Valparaiso), implements many of the recommendations of the Commission to combat these consistently low rankings. Most notably, SB 4 allows local health departments to opt into state funding to help provide core public health services to improve local health metrics. This optional opt-in allows local health departments the ability to tap into increased funding while maintaining local control of these vital services. House Bill 1001 provided that increase in funding. The Chamber worked with other stakeholder organizations to advocate in support of SB 4 throughout session.
Late last summer, the Indiana Behavioral Health Commission released its report stating, “The Commission studied the cost of untreated mental illness in Indiana and estimates that cost to be a staggering $4.2 billion annually.” Hoosier businesses shoulder the brunt of these costs through direct health care costs, absenteeism, premature mortality and expenses for caregivers. The Indiana General Assembly took heed of the human and economic cost of this crisis and turned it into legislation.
Senate Bill 1, authored by Sen. Michael Crider (R-Greenfield), helps address a different health issue for Hoosier businesses. Mental health concerns cost Indiana employers $885 million annually in lost productivity, and it costs the state $708 million per year in direct health care costs. Senate Bill 1 received nearly unanimous support throughout the process and was quickly signed by Gov. Eric Holcomb.
The budget bill, House Bill 1001, also funded the structure of SB 1 with $100 million total over the two-year budget for community mental health (to establish certified community behavioral health clinics, provide crisis response services including mobile crisis teams, and crisis receiving and stabilization services) and $10 million for regional mental health facilities. The Chamber testified in favor of SB 1 in both chambers of the General Assembly.
The Indiana Chamber applauds Sens. Charbonneau and Crider for their impassioned work on these critical issues. The mental and physical health of Hoosiers is imperative to the business climate in Indiana and these bills are important steps in making Indiana a healthier state.
