‘Make Indiana Healthy Again,’ Indiana Gov. Mike Braun Implements MAHA With Praise From RFK Jr, Dr. Oz

Republican Indiana Gov. Mike Braun signed nine health-related executive orders on April 15 addressing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid and fitness, along with food ingredients and source transparency. 

“Today’s nine executive orders reflect a new approach to health policy in the state of Indiana focused on empowering everyone to live healthier, longer lives. Let’s Make Indiana Healthy Again!” Braun said, according to a press release from his office. 

The executive orders ban candy and soft drinks from SNAP benefits, promote transparency about food ingredients in Indiana, increase consumers’ access to food directly from farmers, and initiate a study by the Indiana Department of Health about the connection between diet and chronic illness. He also mandated a Governor’s Fitness Test and School Fitness Month in schools. 

Indiana just became the first state in the union to ban soda AND candy from SNAP! pic.twitter.com/YvJTYndH0E

— Anna Matson (@AnnaRMatson) April 15, 2025

The other executive orders require able-bodied food stamp recipients to take on jobs, reinstate income and asset verification to prevent fraud and order the Family and Social Services Agency (FSSA) and Indiana’s State Budget Agency to review federal SNAP statutes. The final executive order is intended to cut back Medicaid eligibility errors. 

“This isn’t the usual top-down, one-size-fits-all public health agenda: We’re focused on root causes, giving Hoosiers the transparent information to make decisions affecting their health, making it easier to access to fresh local food from Indiana’s incredible farms, and taking on the problems in government programs that are contributing to making our communities less healthy,” Braun said. 

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. and Mehmet Oz, head of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid were also in attendance as Braun signed the executive orders. (RELATED: ‘The Evidence Is Overwhelming’: RFK Jr. Calls On CDC To Stop Recommending Fluoride)

“Thank you, Governor Braun, for your courageous and visionary leadership to Make Indiana Healthy Again,” Kennedy said, according to the press release. “I urge every governor across America to follow your lead by signing similar executive orders in their states to improve nutrition standards in SNAP, increase transparency around food dyes and additives, implement physical fitness tests in schools, expand farm-to-school programs, and embrace the full scope of your transformative health agenda. Together, we can Make America Healthy Again.”

Indiana just became the first state in the union to ban soda AND candy from SNAP! pic.twitter.com/YvJTYndH0E

— Anna Matson (@AnnaRMatson) April 15, 2025

Oz also voiced his support for the executive orders. 

“We’re delighted to work with our state and local partners—who are critical to advancing the Make America Healthy Again agenda,” Oz said. “By prioritizing prevention, proper nutrition, and healthy lifestyle choices, we can set our younger generations up for a lifetime of success.”

In March, Kennedy was also present when West Virginia‘s Governor Patrick Morrisey announced he had signed a bill banning certain synthetic food dyes and preservatives from food sold in the state.