Feds OKs $1.8 million for health exchange helpers
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services is sending Indiana money to help the state's health care plan navigators sign up more residents through a federally run exchange.
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Conservatives swinging Pence’s way on health reform
Conservatives, after waging war on Obamacare, including its large expansion of Medicaid, are starting to try to propose alternative, conservative ways to achieve its key goals.
Obamacare tax rule that split appeals courts gets rehearing
The full U.S. Court of Appeals will rehear a case on Obamacare tax subsidies, granting a government request in a move that may reduce chances of a new Supreme Court showdown over a central part of the law.
While national health care spending growth slowed, Indiana accelerated
Indiana does not appear to be enjoying the rest of the nation’s slowdown in health care spending. Year-to-year growth in Indiana hit 6 percent in 2012 versus 4.5 percent for the nation.
More Indiana options coming on insurance exchange
Officials say Indiana residents will have more than triple the number of health insurance plans to choose from when the federal insurance exchange enrollment period starts in November. A a 5-percent average increase in exchange premiums is expected.
Indiana has too many nursing homes
Indiana has 58 percent more nursing homes per resident and spends an extra $1 billion per year on care in nursing homes than the average for the rest of the country.
Indiana’s tax breaks for jobs cost at least three times more than Medicaid expansion
State and local governments hand out $921 million per year to entice business to add jobs. The Medicaid expansion is estimated to cost no more than $279 million per year.
Is this the future of rural health care: Walmart, walk-in clinics and an ambulance?
In two to three years, primary care clinics could be popping up in Walmart stores in rural Indiana while most rural Indiana hospitals will offer little to no inpatient services. That’s dramatically different from what we’re used to.
Rebates shrink as Anthem gets better at pricing
Hoosiers are receiving $11.9 million in rebates this year from health insurers that used less than 80 percent of their 2013 premiums for medical bills last year. That’s down from $22.6 million handed out last year.
Indiana challenge to Obamacare tax-credit rule can go forward
U.S. District Judge William T. Lawrence in Indianapolis on Tuesday denied an IRS bid to dismiss that portion of the state’s 2013 lawsuit, in which it claimed the rule illegally conflicts with a provision of the federal law.
Boost for vets’ health: Obama signs new law
Tens of thousands of military veterans who have been enduring long waits for medical care should be able to turn to private doctors almost immediately under a law signed Thursday.
The most likely conflict zone between Pence, Obama
Gov. Mike Pence thinks his HIP 2.0 plan would reform Medicaid in line with conservative principles. To the extent the Obama administration agrees, that’s the biggest hurdle to get the plan approved.
Feds require state to talk to Native Americans for HIP 2.0 plan
State officials met Tuesday with members of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians in an effort to satisfy federal regulators who are considering a proposed expansion of the state’s low-income health insurance program.
Small employers dumping plans faster than expected, WellPoint says
WellPoint saw 218,000 members of its health plans disappear because their employers ended their group plans. Other insurers, however, say small employers are ending their plans more slowly than expected.
Should IU Health pursue a strategy of mediocrity?
Indiana University Health fell off U.S. News’ honor roll of the nation’s top 1 percent of hospitals. Because of Obamacare and other trends, perhaps IU Health should be happy about that.
Pence pushes Medicaid alternative with HHS chief
Gov. Mike Pence told U.S. Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell that he wants to maintain Indiana's "freedom and flexibility" under any expansion of Medicaid.
Probe exposes flaws behind HealthCare.gov rollout
Management failures by the Obama administration set the stage for the computer woes that paralyzed the president's new health care program last fall, nonpartisan investigators said in testimony released Wednesday.
Deal worth $17B aimed at improving veteran health care
The bipartisan agreement includes $10 billion in to make it easier for veterans who can’t get prompt appointments with Veterans Affairs doctors to obtain outside care; $5 billion to hire doctors, nurses and other medical staff; and about $1.5 billion to lease 27 new clinics across the country.
Most drug money in Indiana funds research. Is that good?
With federal research funding declining, drug companies are taking a larger role funding the medical research happening at IU and universities around the country. That’s not the same thing as paying to market drugs, but it’s hardly without controversy.
Feds cap fines for not buying health insurance
Federal researchers predict that about 4 million people, including dependents, could be hit with fines by 2016.