INDIANAPOLIS (WTWO/WAWV) — Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb signed an Executive Order establishing a 15-member commission Wednesday to analyze the state’s public health system and make recommendations to improve its structure, funding and operations, according to a news release.
“Our public health system has been around for almost 140 years, and it’s overdue for a thorough look so that we can best position it to provide excellence to Hoosiers for the next 100 years,” Holcomb said. “This review, coupled with our ongoing commitment to improve key health indicators, will best position Indiana to be a great state to live, work, play and invest in and grow a healthy workforce.”
The Public Health Commission will be co-chaired by former state Sen. Luke Kenley, who has previously worked with the state’s budget, and Dr. Judy Monroe, who served as Indiana’s state health commissioner from 2005 to 2010 and now serves as president and chief executive officer of the CDC Foundation. State Health Commissioner Kris Box, M.D., will serve as commission secretary.
“Indiana’s public health workforce is made up of some of the most dedicated people you will ever encounter,” Dr. Box said. “They truly care about their communities and have worked tirelessly to protect Hoosiers. They deserve our heartfelt thanks, and they deserve our help. Determining what that help should look like is the goal of this commission.”
Appointments to the commission are going to be planned in the future, the release said. The commission is expected to begin its work in September and provide recommendations within a year.
