Indiana case at U.S. Supreme Court could affect millions of Americans
Advocates for the elderly, poor and people with disabilities say the legal challenge could severely threaten federal benefit programs, like Medicaid.
Health Care & Insurance
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U.S. clears updated COVID boosters for children as young as 5
The FDA cleared the COVID-19 booster tweaks without requiring human test results—just like it approves yearly changes to flu vaccines.
Large study provides powerful evidence of long COVID’s lasting impact
Between 7 million and 23 million Americans—including 1 million who can no longer work—are suffering from the long-term effects of infection with the virus, according to government estimates.
Screening procedure fails to prevent colon cancer deaths, large study finds
A 10-year study by researchers from Poland, Norway and Sweden published in the New England Journal of Medicine questions the benefits of colonoscopy screening exams.
Growth of Catholic hospitals has implications for U.S. reproductive care
Catholic health care systems now control about 1 in 7 U.S. hospital beds, requiring religious doctrine to guide treatment, often to the surprise of patients.
Telemedicine got easier during pandemic, but limits are returning
Over the past year, nearly 40 states have ended emergency declarations that made it easier for doctors to use video visits to see patients in another state, according to the Alliance for Connected Care, which advocates for telemedicine use.
Pregnancy complications spiked during pandemic. No one knows exactly why.
While the vast majority of people who are infected with COVID do not experience complications, the risk of preeclampsia and other severe issues has been documented to be much higher with infection.
Lilly lands Fast Track designation for potential blockbuster drug
Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Co. announced Thursday that it has received a Fast Track designation from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to investigate its diabetes drug tirzepatide for the treatment of adults with obesity.
Joint replacement center to be second tenant at Noblesville’s Innovation Mile
The Indiana Joint Replacement Institute is planning a $28 million, 35,000-square-foot facility at Innovation Mile, which is along 141st Street, between Olio and Prairie Baptist roads.
Ivy Tech to launch Hamilton County nursing school in 2023
The Hamilton County campus will admit 20 nursing students for the spring semester and 20 more students for the fall semester. Enrollment increases are expected in future years.
Elevance Health must face federal suit alleging Medicare Advantage fraud
In a ruling announced this week, Judge Andrew Carter of the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York said Elevance failed to show the lawsuit should be dismissed for lack of materiality.
Federal employee health care premiums to rise 8.7% on average
That change in Federal Employees Health Benefits Program premiums is significantly larger than last year’s rise and marks the biggest increase in more than a decade, the government announced Friday.
Chief of Roche Diagnostics North America leaving Indy for larger corporate job
Matt Sause, president and CEO of Roche Diagnostics North America since 2019, has been named CEO of Roche Diagnostics and a member of the corporate executive committee. He will relocate to the parent company’s offices in Basel, Switzerland.
Health system Ascension to close hospital, 9 medical practices in Indiana
The closure of the hospital will result in the layoffs of 77 employees, and more than 50 employees will be affected by the closures of the nine practices.
New law clamps down on certain medical titles in advertising
Some say doctors are raising the issue just to protect their turf and status.
Untreated mental illnesses cost state $4.2B annually, report says
The infrastructure of Indiana’s behavioral health treatment system is underfunded and in need of reform, a new report says.
Experimental Alzheimer’s drug slows cognitive decline in trial, firms say
The upbeat news served as a stark contrast to the calamitous rollout last year of another drug, marketed as Aduhelm, sponsored by the two companies.
Indiana abortion providers accepting patients while state ban stays on hold
Planned Parenthood, historically the largest abortion provider in Indiana, made the procedure available again on Thursday, immediately following the injunction from an Owen Country judge.
In unhealthy Indiana, business and health leaders rally around plan to boost public health spending
A blue-ribbon commission appointed by Gov. Eric Holcomb is recommending that the state spend an additional $242 million a year to help local health departments and school districts make their communities healthier.
U.S. watchdog estimates $45.6B in pandemic unemployment fraud
The new estimate is a dramatic increase from the roughly $16 billion in potential fraud identified a year ago, and it illustrates the immense task still ahead of Washington as it seeks to pinpoint the losses, recover the funds and hold criminals accountable.