The current COVID-19 pandemic could lead state officials to push for more public health funding in the future. During state officials’ COVID-19 press conference Wednesday, Governor Eric Holcomb said the current situation is putting a spotlight on the state’s health challenges.
“Our diabetic and our obesity and all those rates that are adversely affecting those who are going into the hospital – the warning light is on,” the governor said. “And so, yes, we’ll put not just more attention, but there’ll have to be more resources.”
State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box noted that some local health departments are currently struggling. “To be able to improve our support for our local health departments across the state and to be able to beef that up so that they are better able to respond and have the support that they need and maybe have full-time health officers and full-time public health nurses that are there, I think that will set our communities better,” Box said.
Governor Holcomb praised federal lawmakers for their efforts to help states respond to the pandemic.
