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Recommendations to Governor Frank O'Bannon by IKE's Lead Poisoning Prevention Task Force
Finalized on April 26, 2000
Recommendation #8
Provide funding for bricks-and-mortar improvements such as window replacement and other efforts to eradicate lead poisoning in Indiana.
Action: Provide financial support to encourage window replacement and other bricks-and-mortar efforts to eradicate lead poisoning in Indiana. This money should come from the tobacco settlement fund supplemented with Medicaid funds whenever possible.
Indiana’s risk assessors commonly identify old windows and porches as the primary sources of lead-based paint that causes children to have extremely high levels of lead in their blood. The paint is often poorly maintained and subjected to grinding and scraping when used. If we can eliminate these hazards, complemented with the other recommendations, we can virtually eliminate the extremely high levels of lead poisoning.
By focusing on these two items and complementing it with strong educational programs, the State cannot only reduce the hazards to children, but it can also significantly increase the value of the home. And in the case of windows, it can result in energy efficiency gains as well.
Tobacco funds are a logical source of revenue for these programs. Both lead and tobacco are public health threats. And both involve environmental exposures. Finally, the need for the lead money is only for a relatively short time – approximately ten years.
Medicaid funds are available also – at least for window replacement. Rhode Island recently established a federally approved Medicaid program to provide $183 per window for the replacement of lead-based paint-covered windows in homes with lead poisoned Medicaid eligible children. A program similar to Rhode Island’s could make a significant difference to future generations of Hoosiers.
The IKE Task Force believes that Indiana should:
- Serious develop a bricks-and-mortar program to support the replacement of lead-based paint covered, energy-inefficient windows and renovation of lead-based paint covered patios.
- Provide funding from the innovative use of tobacco settlement, Medicaid funds or other sources to help the program succeed.