Indiana Public Health Commission

Gov. Eric Holcomb said new mental health legislation is a “sea change” for Indiana — getting people the help they need, when they need it.

Hundreds of Hoosiers rallied at the New Direction Church in Indianapolis Saturday to urge lawmakers to fully fund Senate Bill 1, which would bolster mental health care access and services across the state.

Senate lawmakers took their first step Wednesday aimed at dramatically improving Indiana’s public health system. But a committee hearing also revealed the challenges that lay ahead.

Indiana Senate Republicans are prioritizing health care issues in 2023 – from expanding access to care to trying to lower costs – and long-term goals on fiscal issues and public safety.

Gov. Eric Holcomb said the new state revenue forecast is “rosier” than he anticipated. But he said it still calls for a “discerning” approach to writing a new state budget.

A new state revenue forecast projects that Indiana lawmakers will have about $1.6 billion in new money to spend in the 2023 session.

The full funding recommendation from the governor’s Public Health Commission may be on life support before the legislative session even begins.

Gov. Eric Holcomb said health is Indiana’s “Achilles’ heel” – and he’s creating a Public Health Commission to try to improve it. The commission will spend…