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County health official warns state cuts to Health First Indiana will force program changes; commissioners table related budget tabs
Summary
A county health representative told LaPorte County commissioners that state legislation cut Health First Indiana funding by about 75%, forcing officials to weigh whether to remain in the program; commissioners voted to table two related budget tabs pending the health board vote and further legislative guidance.
A county health representative told LaPorte County commissioners on July 15 that state changes to Health First Indiana have sharply reduced expected state support and left local public-health programs at risk. "They cut back Health First Indiana by over 75%. Where we were receiving $2,600,000 a year, that's been cut back to a little over $600,000," the representative said.
The reduction, staff said, has immediate effects across several programs. The health department reported steep cuts to immunization and emergency-preparedness grants and warned that long-standing services—such as Lake Michigan beach water testing—could require county funding to continue after 2027. "A lot of our grant people got cut," the health representative said, adding that the department has lost liaisons at the state and faces a 30‑day hiring freeze for vacancies.
Commissioners pressed staff on the financial implications and timing. The health official said counties can opt out of Health First Indiana on a two‑year cycle, and an opt‑out would take effect Jan. 1; existing funds would remain in local accounts pending later legislative direction on allowable uses. "If we opt out, it's January 1. So we can spend that money down till end of the year," the representative said, noting that counties previously were instructed to reserve a portion of funds for capital expenditures.
Given uncertainty about whether the state will amend the law this year and how long it would take any fix to affect county budgets, the board voted to table two affected budget tabs (11‑59 and 11‑61) to allow the health board to vote and staff to return with clarified numbers. Commissioners were told that additional appropriation requests for community grants and related expenditures will likely follow in the next month or two.
What’s next: The county health board is scheduled to meet and provide an official recommendation; commissioners will revisit the affected tabs after that meeting and once revenue figures are updated.
