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White County health director to join state agency; raises concern about new restrictions on Health First Indiana funds
Summary
White County Health Department director announced she will join the Indiana Department of Health; at the meeting she warned that recent state legislative language restricts Health First Indiana funds from being used for non‑residents and urged the county not to adopt local residency‑proof practices that could erode trust.
Katie (last name not recorded in the transcript), the White County health director, told commissioners that Friday will be her last day as she has accepted a position with the Indiana Department of Health as the north region director. She introduced the new county health administrator, Christy (last name not stated), who will take over local operations.
During her report, Katie raised a policy concern about new language affecting Health First Indiana (HFI) funds. She said a recently passed legislative change requires that HFI funds cannot be used for anyone who is not an Indiana resident and who is not in the country legally. Katie recommended the county avoid routinely asking for proof of residency at health department encounters, arguing that requesting papers would undermine trust and reduce access to vaccines and other public‑health services.
She said the change creates an administrative and auditing burden, and she recommended the county consider local budget lines or funding mechanisms that would allow continuity of services without triggering state audits. Katie said she has spoken to the auditor and planned to delay parts of the county budget process to involve the incoming administrator in budget preparation. She urged preserving vaccination and outreach programs that the county has funded, including a swimming‑lessons subsidy the department previously funded at about $20,000 per year.
Why it matters
The Health First Indiana change affects how the county may use state HFI money and could force counties to implement residency verification processes that public‑health officials warned would likely reduce uptake of vaccines and other preventive services among non‑residents who access local services. The director urged caution to avoid eroding trust and to maintain disease‑prevention programs that serve the entire community.
Ending
The board received the report and staff signaled plans to coordinate budget timing and line items with the incoming administrator to address the funding and auditing implications.
