Gov. Holcomb Extends Public Health Emergency Keeping Key Provisions In Place

Wednesday, December 1, 2021 at 12:32 PM

The extension ensures the state continues to receive enhanced federal funding for Medicaid and SNAP benefits.

INDIANAPOLIS – Indiana’s public health emergency has been extended another 30 days.

Governor Eric Holcomb today signed Executive Orders 21-31 and 21-32 to continue the public health emergency and the executive order for provisions that address the impact of COVID-19.

Under the public health emergency, the state is eligible to receive enhanced federal funding for Medicaid programs to help cover the increased costs of 500,000 Hoosiers who have enrolled in the programs because of the pandemic.

So far, Indiana has received $972 million in enhanced funding, but would lose more than $175 million in future funding through March 2022 if the state public health emergency ends before the federal public health emergency.

Approximately 250,000 Hoosiers would also lose partial or full Medicaid coverage.

Holcomb’s executive orders also allow 200,000 eligible households to receive additional federal food assistance.

Another key provision allows the state health commissioner to serve as the statewide ordering physician for those who choose to be vaccinated. This offers easy access to vaccines through pharmacies, local health departments and other health facilities.

The current public health emergency is set to expire on December 31.

Click here to see the executive orders.