The agony and ecstasy of electronic medical records
Health care providers’ frustration is running high, and even advocates say the movement has fallen short.
Health Care & Life Sciences
Articles
Senate Republicans toss potential Obamacare bomb into tax bill
The plan released Tuesday night by Senate Republicans mixes two red-hot debates by adding a repeal of the Obamacare law’s individual mandate to their tax legislation.
Obamacare sign-ups well ahead of last year’s pace
Sign-ups for Affordable Care Act health plans are running more than 45 percent ahead of last year's pace as people rush to meet a shorter deadline.
Trump names former Lilly exec as new health secretary
If confirmed by the Senate, former Eli Lilly and Co. exec Alex Azar will oversee a $1 trillion department responsible for major health insurance programs, medical research, food and drug safety, and public health.
Is it an emergency? Anthem makes patients question ER visits
Anthem said it has seen a drop in unnecessary ER visits in Kentucky since it started its review there and has rejected only around 1 percent of all claims as avoidable. The policy will expand to Indiana next year.
Trump expected to name ex-Lilly exec to lead Health & Human Services
Alex Azar, who ran U.S. operations for Eli Lilly before leaving in January, would be the administration’s point person on running—or dismantling—Obamacare.
Indiana prosecutors vehemently oppose medical marijuana
The Association of Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys argues any type of marijuana legalization would come with grave consequences.
Anthem confirms appointment of Boudreaux as CEO
Former UnitedHealth Group executive Gail Boudreaux, 57, is succeeding Joseph Swedish, 66, who will serve as executive chairman until mid-2018.
Boudreaux a trailblazer with vast experience in health insurance industry
Gail Boudreaux’s appointment as CEO of Anthem Inc., announced on Monday, makes her the highest-ranking female executive in the health insurance industry.
American drug deaths skyrocketed in 2016, new report shows
The rate of deaths increased slightly in every quarter of 2016, indicating an accelerating epidemic. That crisis has been driven by opioid abuse.
Assessing Elanco options: sale, spinoff or status quo?
Lilly CEO David Ricks says the time is right “to consider a variety of options to maximize future value,” such as an initial public offering. But analysts say an IPO would make more sense if Elanco were performing better.
UPDATE: Indy-based health insurer MDwise to be acquired by Michigan firm
After the deal closes, the insurers are expected to collectively cover more than 620,000 people and generate annual revenue approaching $6 billion.
Lawsuit targets Trump’s rollback of birth-control rule
Two national advocacy groups filed a federal lawsuit in Indiana on Tuesday challenging a rule change by President Donald Trump's administration allowing more employers to opt out of no-cost birth control for workers.
West Lafayette biotech raises $40M to develop cancer-imaging drugs
The company said the funds would help it test its lead compound in late-stage clinical trials, allowing surgeons to detect cancerous cells with the help of fluorescent dyes.
IU Health pushes further into Fort Wayne, a market in upheaval
The Indianapolis-based health system said it will open a primary-care medical office in Fort Wayne early next year, and is examining “a long-term presence” in the market.
Aetna shares surge after reports of $66B offer from CVS
A deal would create a health-services giant and a bigger competitor for UnitedHealth Group Inc., which is the largest U.S. health insurer and has its own own clinics and a pharmacy-benefits unit.
Tiny hospitals project hefty profits, but not all are sold on rosy outlook
St. Vincent’s new “neighborhood hospitals” are so small you fit three on a football field. But there’s nothing small about the profits the hospitals might rack up.
Eskenazi Health getting national recognition for healthy, fresh food
A movement is burgeoning at the hospital system to lead by example in food and nutrition.
Walgreens to close 600 stores as part of Rite Aid deal
Walgreens has more than 50 stores in the Indianapolis area. Rite-Aid operates 10 stores in Indiana, but none in the Indianapolis area.
Study: Premiums for popular Obamacare plan up 34 percent
Premiums for the most popular Obamacare plans are going up an average of 34 percent nationwide, according to a new study. But the increases aren’t as high in Indiana.