Decision 2020 Electing Indiana's Future: Health Care

Abstract

Health is a principal public concern in Indiana in 2020. From mid-March through the end of August, nearly 100,000 Hoosiers were diagnosed with COVID-19, and more than 3,000 died. The epidemic has affected all corners of the state, striking hard Indiana’s vulnerable elderly and minority populations, straining its health care, public health, and education systems, and harming the state’s short- and long-term economic outlook. In addition to COVID-19 concerns, Hoosiers continue to face serious issues related to health care access, cost, and outcomes; a significant share of the population is in fair to poor physical and mental health; and systems to protect the public’s health are underfunded. In this brief, Fairbanks School of Public Health Professor Ross Silverman explores the issues related to healthcare access, cost, and outcomes that are impacting Hoosiers and makes recommendations for access to care and better outcomes.