FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
ISMA honors Rep. Barrett, Sen. Crider at annual convention
(PLAINFIELD, Ind.) – The Indiana State Medical Association (ISMA) honored two state legislators at its annual convention on September 10 for their outstanding efforts on behalf of Hoosiers’ health during this year’s legislative session.
Rep. Brad Barrett, MD (R-Richmond) received the ISMA Legislator of the Year award. As chairman of the House Public Health Committee, Rep. Barrett was instrumental in passing several important pieces of legislation, from implementing the recommendations of Indiana’s Public Health Commission to expanding oversight of health care costs. Rep. Barrett’s perspective as a physician helped shape these bills into their final versions. Rep. Barrett also authored bills addressing licensing standards for rural emergency hospitals and do-not-resuscitate orders, and stood up for Indiana’s physicians in opposing bills to inappropriately expand unsupervised practice of medicine by nonphysician providers.
The ISMA also recognized Sen. Michael Crider (R-Greenfield) for his work to expand access to mental health care. Sen. Crider authored Senate Enrolled Act (SEA) 1, which will increase capacity by creating a network of community behavioral health clinics. SEA 1 also continues the implementation of 9-8-8 suicide prevention call centers, while ordering the addition of a toll-free helpline to direct people to other mental health resources. Sen. Crider’s bill also re-establishes the Indiana Behavioral Health Commission, to ensure Indiana remains focused on these initiatives, and to track the state’s progress. Finally, as a member of the Appropriations Committee, Sen. Crider helped advocate for a $100 million first step toward accomplishing those goals.
The Indiana State Medical Association (ISMA) is a federation of county and district medical societies across Indiana. With more than 9,500 physician and medical student members, the ISMA seeks to maximize the leadership and impact of physicians, make Indiana one of the best states in which to practice medicine, and make Hoosiers among the healthiest people in the country. Learn more about the ISMA’s mission and history at
www.ismanet.org.