Regenstrief Institute hires epidemiology, research expert as CEO
Dr. Rachel Patzer, director of the Health Services Research Center at the Emory University School of Medicine in Atlanta, will join Regenstrief Institute on May 1.
Health Care & Insurance
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IU board OKs plans to double nursing school capacity, raise residence hall rates
Indiana University said the renovations at the IU School of Nursing at IUPUI will help increase teaching and simulation capacity in support of planned enrollment growth to help address a shortage of nurses both in Indiana and nationwide.
Funding-boost bill for Indiana public health program advances
State Health Commissioner Dr. Kristina Box, several medical organizations and business groups urged lawmakers to support the plan, pointing to Indiana’s poor national rankings in areas such as smoking, obesity and life expectancy.
Three years into pandemic, Indiana hospitals paint bleak financial picture
Hospitals across the state experienced their most difficult financial year in 2022 since the beginning of the pandemic, according to a study released Wednesday by the Indiana Hospital Association.
Indiana to get $66.5M to settle overpayment suit against insurer Centene
The settlement with St. Louis-based health insurer Centene Corp. resolves allegations that the company overcharged Indiana’s Medicaid program for pharmaceutical costs.
Lawmakers hear mixed reviews on bill to lower health care costs
The legislator who introduced the measure said it was the result of a lack of action on the part of health care entities and insurers to lower prices.
Upcoming end of COVID emergency injects uncertainty into telehealth
A federal emergency declaration in January 2020 waived the requirement for health-care providers to meet patients in person before prescribing tightly regulated drugs. Once the emergency declaration expires, that practice could be in legal limbo.
Biden to end COVID-19 emergencies on May 11
The costs of COVID-19 vaccines are expected to skyrocket after the emergencies are lifted. Free at-home COVID tests will also come to an end. And hospitals will not get extra payments for treating COVID patients.
Feds expect to collect $4.7B in insurance fraud penalties
Federal watchdogs have been sounding the alarm for years about questionable charges on the private version of the Medicare program, with investigators raising the possibility that insurance companies may be bilking taxpayers of billions of dollars every year.
Lilly receives FDA approval for rare blood cancer treatment
Jaypirca was approved to treat mantle cell lymphoma, or MCL. a rare blood cancer that starts in white blood cells in the lymph nodes for which there is no cure, according to Lilly. The disease affects about 1 in 200,000 people worldwide each year.
Tauhric Brown: Indiana is working to solve health-care worker shortage
States all across the country are experiencing a shortage of home-health workers. It’s a problem that is not going away anytime soon.
Kalen Jackson: How do we fix Indiana’s behavioral health system?
Indiana’s mental health care system was created in a bygone era, and despite many efforts over many years, it is still problematic today.
Indiana Senate panel advances bill to prohibit non-compete agreements for physicians
It’s the latest in a series of bills meant to address the high cost of health care in Indiana, as well as the physician shortage and patients’ rights.
Record 16.3 million seek health coverage through ‘Obamacare’
The boost in enrollment for the insurance marketplace comes as the number of uninsured people is at an all-time low. Just 8% of those in the United States remain without coverage.
Lilly Endowment provides $20M grant to help youth-support workers
A coalition of five agencies in Indiana that serve youth plans to use the grant to support the well-being of professionals in the industry.
FDA proposes switching to annual coronavirus vaccine, mimicking flu model
The proposed change is designed to reduce the complexity of the vaccine regimen for the public, doctors and manufacturers. It also reflects a view that “chasing variants” with ever-changing booster formulations is ultimately futile.
Jake Teshka: It’s time to bring responsible cannabis reform to Indiana
Evidence showing that access to regulated cannabis can improve public health outcomes is getting harder to ignore.
Feds reject Lilly’s fast-track application for Alzheimer’s drug
Donanemab’s ability to rapidly remove amyloid beta from patients’ brains prevented the required number of patients from receiving the drug for a full 12 months, Lilly said, resulting in the FDA rejection.
Indy laboratory fires manager who threatened California congressman
Patients Choice Laboratories said Friday it was “appalled” by the comments of its employee, who sent a vulgar, threatening direct message to Democratic Rep. Eric Swalwell.
California to sue Lilly, other drug companies over insulin prices
California on Thursday announced it will sue the companies that make and promote most of the nation’s insulin, accusing them of scheming to illegally increase the price of the drug.