Indiana Receives Approval To Expand Lead Testing

Two Indiana state agencies received approval to use federal money to expand lead testing, particularly for low-income Hoosiers.

The Indiana Family and Social Services Administration will be able to use $3 million a year for the next five years to provide lead testing and prevention services.

FSSA received permission from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services last week. The funding will come from the Children’s Health Insurance Program through the Indiana State Department of Health, although the entire CHIP program runs out of money in the next several months if Congress doesn’t act to renew its appropriations.

Still, Gov. Eric Holcomb’s administration expects to serve hundreds of homes per year in areas of the state with a high risk of lead exposure. That includes East Chicago and South Bend, which are struggling with lead contamination from soil and paint, respectively.

The funding will supplement other government efforts to reduce the harmful effects of lead exposure on children.

The program will serve families eligible to be covered by Medicaid or CHIP.