As someone who writes a local news blog focused on Fishers, following the actions of the Indiana State Legislature isn’t optional—it’s essential. What state lawmakers decide in downtown Indianapolis can ripple directly into our community.
Public health is a core need for every local community. When COVID-19 hit in 2020 and Fishers Mayor Scott Fadness couldn’t find support to launch a testing program, he took action—establishing the city’s own health department. That department just marked its fifth anniversary.
It’s worth remembering that Governor Eric Holcomb created the Governor’s Public Health Commission in 2022, co-chaired by former Noblesville State Senator Luke Kenley and former State Health Commissioner Dr. Judy Monroe. Their report delivered a sobering reality: Indiana ranked 48th in the nation in public health spending. The Commission recommended boosting that investment by $243 million annually to bring us closer to national norms.
While the General Assembly didn’t meet that full recommendation, lawmakers did approve a $350 million increase over the 2023–2025 budget cycle. It was a step forward.
But fast-forward to the end of the 2025 legislative session, and the outlook took a turn. A revised revenue forecast projected $2 billion less in state income than previously expected. That left Governor Mike Braun and legislative leaders with some tough decisions.
Their solution? A higher cigarette tax, elimination of funding for public broadcasting, and—most concerning—a major cut to public health spending.
The timing couldn’t have been more direct. The Fishers Board of Health met Thursday morning, just hours after the budget agreement was announced. Mayor Fadness broke the news: the state’s financial support for local health departments would be slashed by 73% from previously planned levels.
He did his best to frame the news constructively, saying the city would adapt as it builds the 2026 budget. Public Health Director Monica Heltz noted the department is funded through the end of 2025, but the impact will be felt in 2026.
Two years ago, former Senator Kenley stated plainly that Indiana’s chronic underfunding of public health had contributed to our poor health outcomes. Now, the very program designed to prevent those outcomes is on the chopping block.
If the expected Medicaid cuts materialize, Indiana’s emergency rooms could see a surge in patients with nowhere else to go. Others may simply delay care until minor health issues become major problems.
I understand the General Assembly faces difficult budget choices. But it’s disheartening to see them walk back support for public health—a need they acknowledged just two years ago. That need has not changed.