The Indiana Black Legislative Caucus, after calling on the governor to aid African American Hoosiers amid the COVID-19 pandemic, successfully pushed for the creation of the newly formed COVID-19 Health Disparities Task Force. On Friday, State Senator Jean Breaux (D-Indianapolis), member of the IBLC, was named a member of the new task force.

“This task force is a step in the right direction to aid our state’s black and brown communities,” Sen. Breaux said. “We know that Indiana has consistently seen poorer health outcomes for African Americans compared to white residents. We also clearly see that COVID-19 continues to disproportionately affect these same communities. A swift response is needed before this pandemic turns even deadlier for poor and minority Hoosiers.”

The COVID-19 Health Disparities Task Force will have to deliver concrete recommendations by June 30 of this year. The Task Force Committee will formulate two deliverables.

• A corrective action plan to address health disparities and COVID-19 response.
• Formulate a plan to address the prison population and juvenile detention centers.

“The data are clear that minority populations are suffering from this pandemic,” Sen. Breaux said. “This is why we have such a short timeline to put together a tangible plan for our state’s response. I’m hopeful that in the next two months, the task force will be able to communicate valuable steps to help Indiana’s residents. It’s important that all Hoosiers are protected during this crisis, not just a chosen few.”

The inaugural meeting of the COVID-19 Health Disparities Task Force Committee is set for May 18, 2020 at 11 a.m.