Indiana’s public health system faces budget cuts

Indiana’s already strained public health system is facing an unprecedented crisis. Ranking 45th in the nation for public health spending and grappling with low access to mental healthcare (43rd) and high obesity rates (41st), the state is now set to slash its public health budget by over 70% in 2026. This drastic measure, driven by a projected $2 billion state budget deficit, will see funding plummet from $150 million to a mere $40 million. Local public health departments, like the Marion County Public Health Department (MCPHD), rely heavily on this state funding. These are the funds that support competitive salaries for nurses who conduct chronic disease screenings at community clinics and inspectors who ensure safe living conditions. With the cuts, services such as these could be in