Time to Tackle Indiana’s Staggering Health Challenges

Gov. Holcomb and leaders of the Indiana General Assembly recently released their priorities for the 2023 legislative session. Included in these are much needed investments in Hoosiers’ physical and mental health.

This past summer, 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.

These poor metrics need to improve, and they need to improve soon. It’s critical that we address these statistics today and ensure that businesses looking to locate operations in Indiana do not overlook the Hoosier state because of various health-related deficiencies. The Indiana Chamber supports implementing these recommendations, which include a budget request for $120 million for state fiscal year 2024 and $227 million in 2025.

It’s hard to look at these numbers and not highlight Indiana’s poor ranking when it comes to smoking rates. Indiana’s poor position can be directly tied to the high smoking rate of its residents. With 19.2% of Hoosiers still smoking, the state’s smoking rate is among the highest in the nation. Each year, approximately 11,000 Hoosiers die from this habit. and smoking in Indiana costs $3.17 billion in lost productivity and $2.9 billion in health care expenses. Meanwhile, Indiana has one of the lowest cigarette taxes in the nation. We’re going to talk a lot about moving Indiana’s health metrics in a positive direction this session. Let’s start with smoking and increase the tax per pack by $2.00. If not now, when?

In September, the Indiana Behavioral Health Commission released their 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 prices, absenteeism, premature mortality and expenses for caregivers. The Chamber recognizes the need to address the issues brought forward in this report and looks forward to working with stakeholders to reach a solution.

It’s time the Indiana General Assembly steps forward to address the physical and mental health of the Hoosier workforce.

Another group that will factor into discussions, Hoosiers for Affordable Healthcare, has announced its legislative agenda, which focuses on “lower prices, increased accessibility and increased transparency.”

The Indiana Chamber believes it’s time the Indiana General Assembly steps forward to address the physical and mental health of the Hoosier workforce and will be doing all we can to make that happen.

Ashton Eller is vice president of health care policy and employment law for the Indiana Chamber of Commerce. A Hamilton County native, Eller previously served as the Chamber’s manager of political affairs and has been with the organization since 2008.