Indiana Gov. Mike Braun signed nine executive orders April 15 that will implement Medicaid eligibility reforms, initiate nutrition studies related to chronic disease, and make changes to SNAP benefits.
“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,” he said in a news release. “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.”
Medicaid
The order mandates stricter verification processes, ending self-attestation of income, residency, or age without documentation, and requires the state to use data from multiple state and federal agencies to identify ineligible enrollees. It also establishes performance standards and escalating penalties for hospitals making presumptive eligibility determinations, including mandatory training and potential disqualification for repeated violations. Quarterly progress reports will track implementation.
Nutrition
Another order will initiate a statewide review of artificial food dyes and additives, including Red No. 40 and Yellow No. 5, that have raised safety concerns. The review will examine scientific research, consumption patterns among Indiana residents, and potential health risks, with findings due by July 1, 2026.
Another order requires the state to conduct a study related to diet-related chronic disease among state residents, especially related to children. A report is due by July 1, 2026 and must include research about the state of obesity in Indiana, existing state nutrition programs and their effectiveness, regulatory barriers that may limit nutrition efforts, successful efforts within the state and within other states, and opportunities to improve chronic disease education.
Another order directs the Indiana State Department of Agriculture to conduct a study by July 1, 2026 that analyzes barriers to farm diversification, regulatory hurdles for small farmers, gaps in food processing, and consumer trends. The study will also explore the potential economic impacts of expanding local food access, with recommendations to boost direct-to-consumer sales.
By Sept. 30, 2025, the Secretary of Education must offer schools a “Governor’s Fitness Test,” and rewards for high-performing students, a “School Fitness Month” to improve physical activity, and initiatives to increase locally sourced meals through farm-to-school programs. The order also mandates transparency in school meal nutrition, requiring food providers to disclose ingredients to parents and eliminate artificial dyes and additives tied to hyperactivity and memory problems.
SNAP benefits
Currently, about 170,000 SNAP recipients in the state are exempt from work requirements because they have children or are between 55 to 59 years old. Another order directs the state’s Family and Social Services Administration to expand and improve its employment training programs, focusing on measurable results like job placements, wage increases, and skill development. The state will track participants’ progress for up to a year after they complete training, checking if they found work, earned more money, or gained credentials.
Another order will require asset tests for all SNAP applicants and limit “expanded categorical eligibility,” which currently allows some households to qualify automatically if they receive certain other benefits. Under the order, only families getting direct cash assistance, childcare help, or participating in work/training programs will see automatic eligibility.
Another order will require the state to analyze three key areas for a year-end report: how well SNAP provides nutritious food to participants, whether its employment and training programs effectively promote self-sufficiency, and how successfully it prevents improper payments and administrative errors.
Another order will require the state to seek federal approval within 14 days to ban SNAP purchases of candy and soft drinks. This would be implemented through a pilot program under federal waiver authority. The state will move to implement further restrictions, requiring health officials to identify additional low-nutrition items correlated with obesity and chronic diseases for potential future bans.
