Governor Holcomb’s Public Health Commission Takes Feedback from Around Indiana

PLAINFIELD, Ind.–Governor Holcomb created a Public Health Commission last year. The statewide listening tour for that commission wrapped up on Thursday after gathering public input over the last few weeks.
Preparedness, programs, and healthcare personnel were just a few of the topics of conversation. The commission says strengthening the public health workforce was the biggest concern that people brought up.
“What kind of delays are happening in public health programming because there’s a delay in getting paperwork?” said Jason Grisell, president and CEO of The Health Foundation of Greater Indianapolis.
Jeff Qualls, health officer for Johnson County, is concerned about where the money is going.
“We need to direct funding not just to shiny new buildings – I need the horses to pull the cart,” said Qualls.
Health leaders say there is also that stress of wondering when the next big scare could come from out of nowhere.
“There’s always that worry about the dirty bomb or a biological terrorism agent,” said Mary Kay Foster, special pathogens program manager for IU Health.
The commission is supposed to issue a report with recommendations to the state by the end of the summer.
The final session was in Plainfield on Thursday.