City of Indianapolis announces $4M in mental health, juvenile justice grants
The money comes from the city’s allotment of federal COVID-19 relief funds.
Health Care & Insurance
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Indianapolis-based health-tech startup lands $2M investment
Indianapolis-based Plan Forward, which helps dental practices set up membership plans for their patients, plans to use most of the investment on sales and marketing, while some will go toward improving its software platform.
Nearly two-thirds of serious mental health needs unmet in Marion County, report says
The latest report, called “Community Mental Health Needs Assessment Report for Marion County,” estimates that nearly 26,000 residents who needed treatment for a mental illness in 2022 did not receive it.
Pharmacist shortages, heavy workloads challenge drugstores heading into busy season
In recent years, drugstores have struggled to fill open pharmacist and pharmacy technician positions, even as many have raised pay and dangled signing bonuses.
Ozempic causing ‘slight pullback’ by shoppers, Walmart says
Walmart Inc. says it’s already seeing an impact on shopping demand from people taking the diabetes drug Ozempic, Wegovy and other appetite-suppressing medications.
FDA rejects Lilly drug for eczema due to inspection issues at outside manufacturer
Eli Lilly and Co. just hit another bump in the road in its quest to push deeper into treatments for skin diseases, the third setback this year for the Indianapolis-based drugmaker from the U.S Food and Drug Administration.
UPDATE: Westfield Mayor Andy Cook out of hospital after COVID treatment
The fourth-term mayor, who is not running for reelection, was discharged from the hospital Sunday, the city announced Monday.
State finalizing potential $15 billion in managed care contracts
The agency tasked with managing Indiana’s Medicaid program has recommended four different managed care entities as potential managers when the new program starts in July 2024.
Indiana health providers raise alarm on drug shortages
About 99% of pharmacists who responded to a recent survey by the American Society of Health System Pharmacists said they are experiencing drug shortages. About a third said the shortages are leading to rationing, delaying or canceling treatments or procedures.
Carmel-based Syra Health prices initial public offering
The company said it would raise $6.7 million in gross proceeds, exceeding expectations from earlier this month.
Indiana contemplating own strategic medical stockpile following national shortages
Pandemic shortages forced the state to run more lab tests—with results taking days rather than minutes—which former State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box said delayed quarantines and medication referrals.
LabCorp to pay $525K to Indy employees after discrimination claims
The labor department looked into potential discrimination by the federal contractor at its Indianapolis facility as a part of a routine investigation, federal officials said.
On COVID-19 response, Holcomb says he has ‘no regrets’
Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb’s comments came following prepared remarks he made to the Bipartisan Commission on Biodefense, a group focused on state and local efforts to strengthen public health and defenses to biological threats.
Halverson leaving IU Fairbanks School of Public Health for Oregon job
Paul Halverson, the founding dean of the Indiana University Fairbanks School of Public Health, is a longtime advocate for a stronger role for public health across the state.
16 Tech pencils in plans for two more buildings after early leasing success
Pre-leasing has begun on two buildings planned for the entrepreneurism-innovation district: a 100,000-square-foot laboratory building and a 40,000-square-foot office structure that would be dedicated to sports- and health-focused tenants.
Lilly to install $10M worth of solar panels at two Indianapolis campuses
The solar structures are designed to help generate power for the company and reduce its carbon footprint.
Get ready for the annual blitz of Medicare Advantage ads
If history is any guide, there will be plenty of high-budget television ads from national and local insurance plans looking to boost their rolls. But the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services is cracking down on misleading pitches.
Judge grants preliminary injunction in physician noncompete lawsuit
The court declined to apply the state’s new statute, but found that Lutheran’s physician noncompete agreement was unenforceable, overbroad and unreasonable.
Biden administration aims to scrub medical debt from credit scores, boosting ratings for millions
In addition to pulling medical bills from credit reports, the proposal would prevent creditors from using medical bills when deciding on loans and stop debt collectors from using credit ratings to pressure people with health care-related debt.
Number of Hoosiers without health insurance declines
The report credits increased insurance coverage in Indiana to an enrollment uptick in public health insurance options, such as Medicaid, rather than any significant change in private insurance plans.