UPDATE: Second coronavirus vaccine shows early success in U.S. tests
Moderna said its vaccine appears to be 94.5% effective, according to preliminary data from the company’s still-ongoing study.
Health Care & Life Sciences
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Amid pandemic, 66 Indiana hospitals facing fines for excessive readmissions
The federal government says readmissions are often unnecessary and cost taxpayers tens of billions of dollars a year for treatments that should have been caught the first time around, or were not followed up adequately.
Is ‘twindemic’ looming? COVID-19 and flu cases could hammer hospitals
Indiana lags much of the nation in flu vaccination rates, and some public health officials say the combination of flu and coronavirus illness could overwhelm hospitals this winter.
State not releasing detailed COVID outbreak data
Other than tracking schools and long-term-care facilities, the state doesn’t post any identifying data on a website or dashboard where people can identify COVID hot spots and track their spread.
Gov. Eric Holcomb’s coronavirus stance drawing criticism
The Republican has said repeatedly that he’d be willing to take a step back in the phased-in reopening if key data indicated the pandemic was worsening. But he has never made good on that threat.
Illinois governor bans indoor dining in Chicago as virus cases surge
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot says she isn’t sure the governor’s new restrictions are targeting the right people and worries that they will adversely affect the city’s economy.
Indiana’s count of new COVID-19 cases tops 2,000 for fourth straight day
The state on Monday reported 13 more deaths due to COVID-19. The seven-day moving average for cases has reached an all-time high of 2,215.
Indiana surging with COVID-19 cases, with ‘hot spots’ all over the place
State statistics reveal a very uneven, lumpy picture for COVID-19 cases from county to county, and the picture is constantly shifting.
Panel: Life sciences sector should continue pulling in cash
A panel of experts spoke at IBJ’s Life Sciences Power Breakfast, which took place virtually Oct. 9, talked about venture capital in the life sciences sector. These are some excerpts.
Ex-Cook Group execs to launch life sciences startup in Fishers
The new company, contract drug developer INCog Biopharma, plans to build a $60 million facility and hire up to 150 workers by the end of 2024.
Health insurance premiums climbed 3% to 5% annually since 2012, survey says
It’s that time of year, when workers gather in the conference room (or through a zoom video conference) and brace for the latest news on health insurance plans.
Experts aim to predict trajectory of COVID deaths in coming months
In the absence of a crystal ball, forecasting models offer the next best thing: a rough guide for people to guess when they might get back to something resembling normalcy.
IU Health seeks to close several streets on expanded campus, feature open green space
The hospital system has filed a petition for vacation of several streets, meaning it wants to close or privatize them and fold them into the new campus.
Eli Lilly, hospitals go to war over drug prices
A long-simmering dispute between Eli Lilly and Co. and safety-net hospitals across the nation over the price of prescription drugs has reached the boiling point.
Water-purification firm expands into high-tech air purification to fight COVID-19
Indianapolis-based US Water Systems has pivoted to devise a high-tech method to purify the air through which the virus is often spread.
Catholic hospital giant Ascension suffers $1 billion yearly loss
Like many other providers, Ascension suspended all elective, nonessential medical and surgical procedures for several months to prepare for the surge of COVID-19 patients, reducing volume and revenue.
New rehab hospital planned for western region of Indianapolis
The joint-venture announcement by partners Community Health Network and Kindred Healthcare comes less than a month after the partners closed another rehabilitation hospital, Community Howard Specialty Hospital and Replay Physical Therapy in Kokomo.
Aunt Bertha software helps connect patients to services
Hospital systems say their aim is to provide a helpful clearinghouse for patients in need of housing, transportation, food and other critical services—factors sometimes called “social determinants of health.”
Hc1 rolling out new tool to help colleges control COVID outbreaks
Indianapolis-based Hc1.com, which makes software that helps health care organizations interpret data to personalize care and control costs, said it thinks it has a solution that will help major U.S. colleges and universities control coronavirus outbreaks on campus.
Ballyhooed Simon Cancer Center to empty out by 2026
Just 12 years after opening to great fanfare, the future of the $150 million center, a partnership between the Indiana University School of Medicine and Indiana University Health, is full of questions.