Statehouse committee provides updates on Medicaid program changes
An estimated 130,000 Hoosiers over the age of 60 using Medicaid will receive notices in early 2024 advising them to choose a Managed Care Entity to coordinate their health coverage.
Health Care & Insurance
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City committee delays decision on bond plan for buying Broad Ripple Family Center
The move follows pushback by several neighborhood groups on the north side who expressed concern about the city’s plan, which could rely heavily on the Midtown tax-increment financing district to repay bonds issued for the acquisition.
There are riches, risks when private-equity firms acquire medical practices
Some warn that the spiraling number of deals could lead to large physician groups having an unfairly high market share, which could lead to price increases and cost-cutting.
In face of low investor interest, Lilly again extends $1.4B offer for Point Biopharma
The extension comes amid pushback from several investors, including Point’s largest institutional stock holder.
Advocates say White House slow to act as millions booted off Medicaid
If trends continue, as many as 30 million people could end up being dropped from Medicaid. The numbers dwarf the Biden administration’s initial projections.
Carmel sanitizing device maker 3Oe Scientific files for bankruptcy
The business makes a hand-sanitizing device called Iggy that kills pathogens with ozone-infused water instead of soap or other chemicals.
State health care panel adopts final report, targets prior authorizations
The interim Health Care Cost Oversight Task Force unanimously agreed on a final report Monday detailing seven recommended legislative proposals for the upcoming session.
Lilly’s proposed $1.4B acquisition of Point Biopharma gets investor pushback
Point has a pipeline of clinical and preclinical-stage compounds in development for the treatment of cancer using radiopharmaceutical isotopes that hold the promise of delivering targeted treatments to cancer patients.
Lilly experimental drug lowers heart disease risk factor in just one dose, study finds
Lilly’s lepodisiran, given at the highest dose, reduced a heart disease-linked protein to undetectable levels for 48 weeks, according to the study.
State, localities starting to spend $507M share from National Opioid Settlement
Almost a year after distributions started from the National Opioid Settlement, only $7.1 million has been put to use so far in Indiana as local units of government wrestle with how to make the most of the payments.
Program to get doctors to high-need areas falling short, study says
A decades-old federal program that offers doctors incentives to practice in disadvantaged communities has had little effect on physician density or patient mortality, a recent analysis concludes.
Obesity drug cut risk of serious heart problems by 20%, study finds
The research is the first to document that an obesity medication can not only pare pounds, but also safely prevent a heart attack, stroke or a heart-related death in people who already have heart disease—but not diabetes.
Abortion providers seek to broaden access to procedure in Indiana
Abortion providers and a pregnancy resource center sought a preliminary injunction Thursday to broaden the scope of a health or life exception to Indiana’s near-total abortion ban and to expand the sites where the procedures can be performed.
Amazon takes another shot at virtual health care services
The e-commerce giant says its Prime customers can now get quick access to a health care provider through a program that costs $9 a month or $99 annually.
FDA approves Lilly’s diabetes drug for weight management
Eli Lilly and Co.’s hot-selling diabetes drug, Mounjaro, will now be sold for a second use, chronic weight management, using a separate brand name, Zepbound.
Indianapolis-based life sciences research firm Pearl Pathways acquired by Versiti
The acquisition is the second in central Indiana this year for Versiti, a not-for-profit specializing in blood-health services.
Judge denies request to quash attorney general’s civil demands
Two Indianapolis hospitals and a Goshen clinic will be forced to further answer civil demands on health care services provided to transgender Hoosier minors, a judge has ruled.
Indiana’s rural health care gaps are complicating patient outcomes
Fifty-three of Indiana’s 92 counties have a shortage of primary health care providers, federal data shows. And nearly all counties falling into that category are considered rural or partially rural.
IBJ Podcast: Indy anesthesiologist quit career to become whiskey-making entrepreneur
Juliet Schmalz, CEO of Fortune’s Fool Whiskey, explains what possessed her to leave a lucrative and respected profession to make spirits for a living.
Fall back: How daylight saving time can affect your health
Experts say “falling back” and gaining an extra hour is generally easier on the body than “springing forward” and losing one, but time changes can create sleep issues.