CALL to ACTION📢 Senate Changes to HB1001 Undermine Health First Indiana’s Flexibility and Impact

The Indiana Senate has released its version of House Bill 1001, maintaining a $100 million annual allocation for local public health. While the funding amount remains unchanged, the Indiana Public Health Association (IPHA) has serious concerns about several key amendments that significantly reduce the flexibility, stability, and practicality of Health First Indiana (HFI) dollars for local health departments.

These changes come at a time when local health systems need more support—not more restrictions—to meet the evolving needs of Hoosiers. Here are the most significant changes:

1. Stricter Spending Requirements

The bill changes the required allocation of state dollars from a 60/40 split—60% for preventive services and 40% for regulatory activities—to a more rigid 90/10 split, prioritizing preventive services. While we support strong preventive care, this shift may hamper essential regulatory functions like food safety inspections and environmental health oversight.

Counties may still use their local matching funds for regulatory activities, but the limitation on state funds could burden under-resourced counties that rely heavily on HFI dollars.

(See Page 117, line 36; Page 118, line 6)

2. Elimination of Key Services

The Senate version removes Tobacco Prevention and Cessation and Emergency Preparedness from the list of core services that can be supported with HFI funding.

These are foundational public health services. Removing them undermines efforts to prevent chronic disease and prepare for public health emergencies—both of which have major implications for community well-being and safety.

(See Page 117, lines 39 & 47)

3. Restrictive Citizenship Language

The bill introduces a new requirement that HFI funds can only be used for Indiana residents who are legal U.S. citizens.

This restriction may create barriers to care for immigrant and refugee populations and runs counter to public health principles of serving all people within a community to reduce the spread of illness and improve outcomes for everyone.

(See Page 119, line 31)

Now Is Not the Time to Restrict Local Health Funding

These changes limit local public health departments’ ability to serve their communities effectively. Instead of adding bureaucratic constraints, Indiana needs flexible, stable, and practical funding that allows counties to tailor services to local needs.

Take Action: Contact Your Legislators Today

We urge you to contact your state legislators and share your concerns. Use the attached talking points to advocate for a stronger, more adaptable public health system that puts the health of all Hoosiers first.

Find your legislators here: Indiana General Assembly Legislator Finder

Together, we can ensure that Health First Indiana lives up to its promise—supporting healthy communities across our state without unnecessary restrictions.