Introduced Version
SENATE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION No. _____
DIGEST OF INTRODUCED RESOLUTION
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION supporting the behaviors,
policies, and practices necessary for a healthier Indiana.
JOHNSON T, GARTEN,
CHARBONNEAU
, read first time and referred to Committee on
2025 RC 1518/DI BB Introduced
First Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2025)
SENATE CONCURRENT
RESOLUTION No. _____
1 A CONCURRENT RESOLUTION supporting the
2 behaviors, policies, and practices necessary for a healthier
3 Indiana.
4 Whereas, Chronic diseases, including diabetes, obesity, and
5 heart disease, account for over 70 percent of healthcare costs
6 and are the leading cause of death and disability in the United
7 States, impacting millions of families and straining public
8 resources;
9 Whereas, The chronic disease epidemic especially harms
10 our young people, with almost 50 percent of all U.S. teens and
11 young adults being overweight or obese, 77 percent of young
12 adults being ineligible for military service, and 40 percent of
13 high school students having a mental health disorder;
14 Whereas, The epidemic continues into adulthood, where 60
15 percent of Americans have a chronic disease, 90 percent of
16 deaths are tied to preventable chronic diseases, and 90 percent
17 of chronic diseases are reversible;
18 Whereas, The root causes of chronic disease are linked to
19 preventable factors such as poor nutrition, sedentary lifestyles,
20 and lack of access to health education;
21 Whereas, Public policies that incentivize better health
22 provide meaningful results that empower people and
23 communities;
24 Whereas, The State of Indiana and the United States
2025 RC 1518/DI BB 2
1 require a paradigm shift in healthcare policy that emphasizes
2 the role of nutrition, exercise, and lifestyle medicine in
3 preventing and reversing chronic disease; and
4 Whereas, The State of Indiana has a responsibility to its
5 citizens to ensure government policy serves to improve public
6 health outcomes, reduce healthcare costs, and provide citizens
7 the tools and resources to lead healthy, productive lives:
8 Therefore,
9 Be it resolved by the Senate of the General Assembly
10 of the State of Indiana, the House of Representatives
11 concurring:
12 SECTION 1. That the Indiana General Assembly supports
13 and adopts the following principles and priorities for a healthier
14 citizenry:
15 1. Reform the Food Economy: The Supplemental Nutrition
16 Assistance Program should exclude ultra-processed, high-sugar,
17 and high-fat junk foods while incentivizing fresh, nutrient-
18 dense options; state partnerships with local farmers, grocers,
19 and schools should seek to increase access to healthy,
20 affordable food in underserved areas; and crop subsidies should
21 incentivize healthy, whole foods instead of ultra-processed
22 foods.
23 2. Support Lifestyle Medicine and Education: Integration
24 of health and wellness curricula into K-12 schools, focusing on
25 nutrition, exercise, and the long-term benefits of healthy living;
26 greater public access to lifestyle medicine practitioners through
27 state healthcare programs and partnerships with medical
28 schools; and utilization of health savings accounts and flexible
29 spending accounts to cover more holistic and preventative care,
30 such as exercise costs and nutritional supplements, to create
31 opportunities for better health.
32 3. Encourage Good Governance: Conflicts of interest in the
33 U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), U.S. Department
34 of Agriculture, and other regulatory agencies lead to flawed
35 nutrition standards and must be eliminated; toxins banned in
36 other developed countries that are poisoning our food, water,
37 and consumer goods should be banned here as well; and the
2025 RC 1518/DI BB 3
1 FDA's approval process, which is slow, costly, and stifles
2 healthcare innovation, should be improved.
3 4. Lead by Example in State Institutions: Food served in
4 state facilities, including schools and government offices,
5 should meet high nutritional standards; and wellness programs
6 and resources for state employees to reduce healthcare costs and
7 improve productivity should be available.
8 SECTION 2. That the Indiana General Assembly urges the
9 Governor of Indiana, the Indiana State Health Commissioner,
10 and the members of Indiana's federal congressional delegation
11 to actively support and advocate for policies that align with
12 these principles and requests their participation in an annual
13 "Make Indiana Healthy" summit to advance these goals for the
14 health of all Hoosiers.
15 SECTION 3. The Secretary of the Senate is hereby directed
16 to transmit copies of this Resolution to the Governor of Indiana,
17 the Indiana State Health Commissioner, and the members of
18 Indiana's federal congressional delegation.
2025 RC 1518/DI BB