In a recent meeting of the City Council of Indianapolis, the Health & Hospital Corporation Board highlighted significant disparities in spending with minority-owned, women-owned, veteran-owned, and disabled-owned businesses. For the period ending July 31, 2025, the total supplier engagement spend reached approximately $183 million, with only 11.57% allocated to diverse suppliers.

The board set ambitious goals for diversity spending: 15% for minority-owned businesses, 8% for women-owned enterprises, 3% for veteran-owned businesses, and 1% for disabled-owned businesses. However, the actual figures fell short. Spending for minority-owned businesses was reported at just 7.8%, totaling over $14.3 million. Women-owned businesses received only 2.68% of the spend, amounting to $4.9 million. Veteran-owned businesses saw a mere 0.95% share, with over $1.7 million spent, while disabled-owned businesses received only 0.15%, totaling around $268,000.

These figures underscore the ongoing challenges in achieving equitable spending practices within the city’s procurement processes. The board's discussions reflect a commitment to addressing these gaps, but the current statistics reveal a need for more focused efforts to meet established diversity goals. As the meeting progressed, Dr. Virginia Kane, the director and chief medical officer, was set to provide updates on the Marion County public health department, indicating a broader agenda focused on health and community well-being.