Report: First month of Illinois pot sales netted nearly $40M
Despite shortages, Illinois residents bought more than $30.6 million in January, while out-of-state visitor sales totaled $8.6 million. Dispensaries sold more than 970,000 products.
Health Care & Insurance
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Two dozen Indiana hospitals to be fined for high rates of infections, patient injuries
Twenty-four Indiana hospitals will be docked by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services—the highest number since the program began six years ago.
China readies cushion for virus shock when markets re-open
China’s central bank announced plans Sunday to inject 1.2 trillion yuan (about $173 billion) into the economy to cushion the shock to financial markets from the outbreak of the new virus when trading resumes Monday.
Frustrated health consumers turn to apps, websites to find lowest drug prices
In recent years, a host of online websites and smartphone apps—such as GoodRx, Blink Health and Script Saver—have popped up to help people find the lowest price for prescription medicines. By using them, consumers can save thousands of dollars a year on their prescriptions if they don’t mind shopping around and buying some of their drugs outside their insurance plans.
Delta, American Airlines suspend flights between U.S., China
Delta Air Lines and American Airlines are the first U.S.-based airlines to do so and join several international carriers that have stopped flying to China as the coronavirus outbreak continues to spread.
U.S. advises against travel to China; virus declared emergency
The United Nations health agency defines an international emergency as an “extraordinary event” that constitutes a risk to other countries and requires a coordinated international response.
Anthem sues senior executive who took job with competitor, demands return of $4M
The Indianapolis-based insurer said the former senior vice president and general manager of its Commercial Business division violated terms of his executive agreement by taking a position as president and CEO of Health Net LLC of California.
Lilly reports strong fourth quarter on rising sales of Trulicity, Taltz
The Indianapolis-based drugmaker exceeded analyst expectations for both profit and revenue during the most recent quarter.
Anthem sees big jump in quarterly profit, but misses analyst expectations
The Indianapolis-based health care insurer’s earnings more than doubled, to $934 million, in the fourth quarter, compared with $424 million in the same quarter of 2018.
Indiana lawmakers pass bill aimed at addressing health care costs
The Indiana House approved legislation that would attempt to end surprise billing, and the Indiana Senate approved a bill that could establish a statewide all-payer claims database.
China virus outbreak rams global tourism, costing billions
Businesses around the world that have grown increasingly reliant on big-spending tourists from China are taking a heavy hit, with tens of millions of Chinese residents restricted from leaving their country as the coronavirus spreads.
U.S. stocks tumble amid global sell-off on fear of coronavirus
Chinese health authorities have confirmed 2,750 cases of the coronavirus along with 81 related deaths as authorities extended a week-long public holiday by an extra three days as a precaution against having the virus spread still further.
Health care systems scramble to offer latest in cancer care
Indiana University Health’s new Schwarz Cancer Center is the latest addition to a crowded landscape of cancer centers and hospital oncology programs popping up around central Indiana.
Indiana lawmakers backing tougher tobacco sales penalties
The House and Senate will need to reach agreement on a single version in the coming weeks of the legislative session.
Lawmakers push health care cost-saving, price-transparency bills forward
The measures are largely focused on ending surprise billing for patients, creating an all-payer claims database and requiring health care providers to give patients costs estimates in advance.
OurHealth merges with Vermont company in national expansion move
OurHealth, a fast-growing, 11-year-old Indianapolis-based company that provides medical clinics for employers in Indiana and five other states, is merging with a Vermont company, creating a combined operation with 200 clinics in 40 states.
Lilly to build $470M manufacturing plant in North Carolina
Eli Lilly and Co. said it considered sites in Indianapolis and Pennsylvania but chose North Carolina for quality of life, cost of operations and geographical diversity.
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.
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.