Health maintenance organization MDwise struggles to find way forward
The not-for-profit that helps low-income Hoosiers get health care coverage and social services lost $60 million in 2016 and cut about 80 jobs last year.
Public Health
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House panel approves bill to raise state smoking age from 18 to 21
Lawmakers stripped a provision from the bill that would have boosted the cigarette tax from 99 cents a pack to $2.99.
Food insecurity, hunger vex large swath of Indianapolis residents
Nearly 175,000 food-insecure people live in the city. About 47,000 of them are children, whose ability to learn and thrive can be hampered, according to panelists at a local hunger summit on Friday.
FDA’s consumer protection warnings falling under Trump
From January to July, the agency sent 265 warning letters to companies, notifying them of what it alleged to be serious violations of federal rules. That’s the lowest tally for the first seven months of any year since 2008.
State using big data to attack opioid epidemic
Indiana’s Management Performance Hub is organizing and analyzing data to help state agencies make better decisions about fighting the opioid scourge and other systemic problems.
Indiana lawmakers appear unlikely to increase cigarette tax
A proposed $1 per-pack hike in Indiana's cigarette tax appears likely to fail for a second straight year, dismaying public health advocates.
Indiana needle exchange bill heads to governor, who backs it
The state Senate approved the measure Thursday by a 32-16 vote after lengthy discussion about needle exchanges, which aim to reduce the spread of infectious diseases by providing people with clean syringes and discouraging needle sharing
Hospitals, state push to reduce infant mortality in Indiana
Indiana is the 10th highest state for children not reaching their first birthday. Hospitals and public officials want to turn that around.
Indy EMS analyzes data to spot, share trends in public health
IEMS has been at the forefront of big data, unifying granular information into a real-time public health picture and spurring action across other government agencies.
Judge allows state vaping law to move forward
Vaping advocates called Thursday’s decision by Marion County Superior Court Judge Cynthia Ayers “a dark day.”
Hospitals try to cut readmissions, avoid steep federal penalties
Across Indiana, 64 hospitals are facing total federal penalties this year estimated at $9.3 million, according to the Indiana Hospital Association. Nationally, hospitals will pay an estimated $420 million.
Monroe becomes 4th county to use needle exchange
To launch a needle exchange program, community officials must convince the state it has a hepatitis C or HIV outbreak.
Former state health chief to head CDC Foundation
Former Indiana State Health Commissioner Judith A. Monroe has been named president and CEO of the Atlanta-based CDC Foundation, the organization announced Monday.
SMARTT: Health disparities among Amos’ many causes
Before his untimely death, Amos Brown used his media pulpit to raise awareness among minority populations about their elevated risks of heart disease, diabetes and stroke.
Governor weighs in on criticism of HPV vaccine letter
The Indiana State Department of Health sent letters to 305,000 parents who haven’t vaccinated their children for a virus known to cause cervical cancer. Conservative groups have objected to what they call an intrusion into parenting decisions.
Report ranks Indiana 32nd for child well-being
The national report found that more Indiana children have health insurance and fewer are abusing drugs and alcohol, but the state still dropped in the rankings due to improved results in other states.
UPDATE: Pence, other governors order Planned Parenthood probes
Gov. Mike Pence has directed the Indiana Department of Health to investigate whether organs from aborted fetuses are being sold.
Feds award indiana $11.8M for home visits program
The funds will support home visits by nurses and others to check on low-income pregnant women and those with young children.
Three hospitals part of plan to provide Ebola care
Indianapolis hospital leaders have spent the past two months ironing out a plan to deal with any cases of Ebola that emerge in Indiana. The plan is aimed at ensuring effective care while also minimizing the need to bring other hospital services to a virtual halt while patients are under care.
Pence confident Hoosier health workers can handle Ebola
Gov. Mike Pence appeared on a webcast with health care workers Thursday to talk about Ebola and the state’s preparations should the disease arrive in the state.