Indiana’s infant mortality rate at its lowest in 6 years
In 2018, 7.3 out of every 1,000 babies born in Indiana died in their first year of life, one of the highest rates in the nation. Last year, the rate dipped to 6.8 per 1,000.
Health Care & Insurance
Articles
Jury awards doctor $4.75M in defamation, fraud case against St. Vincent
The doctor, an obstetrician and gynecologist, claimed she had been wrongly accused of having alcohol on her breath while on duty.
Lawsuit throws spotlight on physicians’ hospital referrals
A high-stakes suit this month by the federal government against Community Health Network is raising questions about when they are proper and when they cross the line.
Lilly adding two more insulin options to discount program
Under fire over insulin prices, the Indianapolis-based drugmaker said Tuesday morning it is introducing lower-priced versions of its Humalog KwikPen and Humalog Junior KwikPen.
Urgent care clinics adopt retail approach
Upscale, fast service, with lots of consumer touches: It’s a growing model for retail health care in Indiana and around the nation.
$1.1B acquisition would give Lilly more skin in immunology game
Analysts have said that Dermira’s lead pipeline product, lebrikizumab, has the potential to be the best in class among a wave of similar antibodies to treat eczema.
Proposal for $20M family center project at Broad Ripple Park advances
A city hearing examiner recused herself from ruling on a variance for a proposed 40,000-square-foot health and family center at Broad Ripple Park. The recusal automatically advances the proposal to the city’s Metropolitan Development Commission.
Assembly Biosciences moves HQ from Carmel to California
The eight-year-old biotech startup is developing treatments for gastrointestinal disorders, and last year hired a new CEO. It’s unclear how many employees remain in Indiana, or how much longer the company will keep a local office.
Lawmakers discuss potential creation of all-payer claims database
The Indiana House Public Health Committee on Wednesday discussed legislation that would create an all-payer claims database and require health care providers to give patients a “good faith” cost estimate of non-emergency procedures in advance, if requested by the patient.
Cook Medical wins new trial in product lawsuit after judge admits he erred
The judge vacated a $3 million jury award against Cook Medical, saying a Georgia woman who sued the Bloomington-based device maker “did not have overwhelming evidence” to show the company’s implanted blood-clot filter was defective or caused her injuries.
American Cancer Society reports biggest one-year drop in U.S. death rate
Researchers on Wednesday reported the largest-ever one-year decline in the U.S. cancer death rate, a drop they credited to advances in lung-tumor treatments.
Renowned research leader Shekhar leaving IU School of Medicine for Pitt dean’s job
Dr. Anantha Shekhar, a nationally recognized health sciences researcher and entrepreneur, has played a major role in boosting research funding at IU, where he has worked since 1989 in numerous leadership roles.
Feds accuse Community Health of submitting false claims to Medicare
The Justice Department said the financial arrangements were outlined in a whistleblower suit brought by Thomas Fischer, who served as Community Health’s CFO from 2005 until his sudden exit in 2013. In a separate suit, Fischer claimed he was fired in retaliation for questioning possibly illegal practices.
IBJ Podcast: The top Indianapolis-area stories of 2019
Podcast host Mason King talks with IBJ Managing Editor Lesley Weidenbener and reporter Anthony Schoettle about Penske Corp.’s acquisition of the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, Eli Lilly and Co.’s biggest acquisition ever, trucking giant Celadon’s demise, Ambrose’s decision to pull back from the GM stamping plant site and more.
Buttigieg health plan hinges on ‘supercharged’ version of Obamacare mandate, critic says
Democratic presidential hopeful Pete Buttigieg sells his health-care plan as a moderate alternative to “Medicare-for-all”—offering a government-sponsored plan to those who want it while letting others keep their private and employer-sponsored insurance.
Medical device tax is history, ending years of frustration for Indiana companies
The repeal ends a 2.3% tax on thousands of medical devices, from stents and catheters to pacemakers and MRI machines. Indiana is home to 155 device-makers, ranging from small metal shops to multibillion-dollar manufacturers.
Indiana lands $5.2M grant to address maternal opioid misuse
The grant from the U.S. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services will be used to improve the coordination of clinical care and the integration of other services that are critical for maternal and child health and recovery, officials said.
North America trade pact contains rare setback for Big Pharma
To satisfy House Democrats, the Trump administration removed a provision that would have given the makers of ultra-expensive biologic drugs 10 years of protection from less expensive knockoffs.
Court: Part of Obamacare invalid, more review needed
A federal appeals court on Wednesday struck down Obamacare’s now-toothless requirement that Americans carry health insurance, but sidestepped a ruling on the law’s overall constitutionality. The decision means the law remains in effect for now.
Bill to raise tobacco age has unlikely allies: Altria, Juul
Congress is moving to pass the biggest new sales restrictions on tobacco products in more than a decade, with support from two unlikely backers: Marlboro-cigarette maker Altria and vaping giant Juul Labs.