The COVID-19 pandemic has cast a spotlight on the importance of high-quality public health systems, particularly states’ capabilities to conduct contact tracing and vaccine distribution. Even beyond the pandemic, Indiana’s ability to prevent illness and lead our communities through public health emergencies will have a dramatic impact on the well-being of Hoosiers. Evidence shows that investing in public health is correlated with longer lifespans and lower spending on health care. But Indiana’s public health system is ranked among the lowest in the country, and our people are suffering the consequences.