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STATE OF INDIANA
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
INDIANAPOLIS

EXECUTIVE ORDER: 21-21

FOR: ESTABLISHING THE GOVERNOR'S PUBLIC HEALTH COMMISSION


TO ALL WHOM THESE PRESENTS MAY COME, GREETINGS:

WHEREAS, the Indiana Department of Health (Department) was established to protect the health and safety of Hoosiers;

WHEREAS, Indiana's public health system currently consists of the Department, 94 local health departments, hospitals, and other healthcare facilities;

WHEREAS, Indiana's public health system has evolved significantly since the Department was created, yet the statutes governing the structure of the public health system have not been substantially updated in over 30 years;

WHEREAS, addressing and managing the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic has highlighted challenges within Indiana's public health system and the need for modernization;

WHEREAS, Indiana ranks 41st overall in the nation based on all public health measures evaluated by America's Health Rankings (2019) as measured by our lower life expectancies and higher health care costs; and

WHEREAS, Indiana would benefit from a comprehensive review and evaluation of its existing public health system resulting in recommendations for improved efficiency and efficacy to better promote the health and safety of Hoosiers.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Eric J. Holcomb, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor by the Indiana Constitution and the laws of the State of Indiana, do hereby order:

1. The Governor's Public Health Commission

A. The Governor's Public Health Commission (Commission) is hereby established and convened to advise the Office of the Governor and the Department on the functioning of Indiana's public health system.

B. The Commission is charged with the following:

i) analyzing Indiana's current public health system to identify both strengths and weaknesses;

ii) analyzing the performance of state and local health departments during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 pandemic;

iii) identifying the following:

a) ways to improve the delivery of public health services throughout the State;

b) the funding challenges for the State's public health system and ways to address those challenges;

c) ways to promote health equity;

d) ways to ensure the sustainability of our local health departments; and

e) ways to improve responses to future public health emergencies;

iv) identifying potential legislative proposals to address the Commission's findings and recommendations; and

v) issuing a written report of the Commission's findings and recommendations.

C. The Commission will be made up of the following 15 members, appointed by and serving at the pleasure of the Governor:

i) two representatives of the public, who will serve as co-chairs;

ii) the State Health Commissioner;

iii) two local health officers;

iv) a public health administrator representing the Local Health Department Managers Association;

v) an academician from the public health field;

vi) a representative for healthcare workforce initiatives;

vii) a representative from the Indiana Hospital Association;

viii) a representative from the Indiana Minority Health Coalition;

ix) a representative from the Indiana Rural Health Association;

x) a representative from the Indiana Public Health Association; and

xi) three elected officials.

D. The Commission should meet at least monthly and at the call of the Co-Chairs. A majority of members constitutes a quorum, which is necessary for all business to occur. Decisions will be by majority vote.

E. All members of the Commission shall serve without salary or per diem, except that members of the Commission shall be reimbursed in accordance with state law and the policies of the Indiana Department of Administration and the State Budget Agency for actual expenses incurred in carrying out their responsibilities as Commission members.

F. The Commission shall sunset upon the delivery of the written report to the Governor and the Department which shall be no later than December 31, 2022.

2. The Indiana Department of Health

A. The State Health Commissioner is hereby directed to provide all necessary support to staff the work of the Commission.

B. The Department may use any legal appropriation, grant, or other financial resource in furtherance of this Executive Order. The Department may apply for and receive grants, gifts, or donations to support the work of the Commission.

C. The Department may enter into contracts, agreements, and memoranda of understanding in support of the Commission's work subject to the statutory approval normally given by the State Budget Agency, Indiana Department of Administration, and Office of the Attorney General.

D. The Department will document the work of the Commission, ensure adherence to the Open Door Law (Ind. Code § 5-14-1.5), and maintain public records (Ind. Code § 5-14-3).

3. Cooperation

All state agencies, departments, institutions and other instrumentalities of the executive, shall cooperate and provide assistance to the Commission and the Department to the fullest extent permitted by law in connection with this Executive Order.

IT IS SO ORDERED.
  IN TESTIMONY WHEREOF, I, Eric J. Holcomb, have hereunto set my hand and caused to be affixed the Great Seal of the State of Indiana, on this 18th day of August, 2021. 
   
  Eric J. Holcomb 
  Governor of Indiana 
SEAL   
ATTEST:  Holli Sullivan 
  Secretary of State 

Posted: 09/08/2021 by Legislative Services Agency

DIN: 20210908-IR-GOV210394EOA
Composed: May 10,2024 11:21:13PM EDT
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