INDIANAPOLIS — On Tuesday, Governor Braun hosted U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr, and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz in Indianapolis for the "Make Indiana Healthy Again" initiative.
During the event, held in the Authors Room at the Indiana State Library, Braun issued nine executive orders aiming "to improve Indiana’s health and well-being," according to the governor's office.
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Some of the key efforts of the initiative include addressing harmful additives in food, encouraging fitness and health in schools, and making changes to food stamps — by cutting out things like candy and soft drinks.
Thank you @SecKennedy and @DrOz for joining me to make this announcement. Today, we’re taking on big issues like preventative measures for diet-related chronic illnesses, addressing harmful additives in our food, encouraging fitness and health in schools through new initiatives,… pic.twitter.com/N6akALc8qJ
— Governor Mike Braun (@GovBraun) April 15, 2025
Outside, protestors gathered to express their dissatisfaction with the administration and its health initiatives, brandishing signs that read statements like "Make Science Great Again" and "Hands Off Hoosier Health."
Governor Braun released the following statement with the executive orders:
“Today, we’re taking bold action to Make Indiana Healthy Again and help Hoosiers live healthier lives.
This isn’t the usual top-down, one-size-fits-all public health agenda: We’re focused on root causes, giving Hoosiers the transparent information to make decisions affecting their health, making it easier to access to fresh local food from Indiana’s incredible farms, and taking on the problems in government programs that are contributing to making our communities less healthy.
We’re taking on big issues like preventative measures for diet-related chronic illnesses, addressing harmful additives in our food, encouraging fitness and health in schools through two new initiatives, and making big changes to food stamps to put the focus back on nutrition - not candy and soft drinks.”
We’re also focused on the health of Indiana’s biggest budget line item and biggest health program - Medicaid - by making sure that enrollees don’t exceed the income requirements for the program.
Today’s nine executive orders reflect a new approach to health policy in the state of Indiana focused on empowering everyone to live healthier, longer lives. Let’s Make Indiana Healthy Again!”
You can read the full list of executive orders at this link.
