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.
Health Care & Life Sciences
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Indy startup has rare disease in its sights
Founders of Chondrial Therapeutics believe that if further testing validates their treatment for Friedreich’s ataxia, it could be a blockbuster with annual sales topping $1 billion.
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.
Hospital services center to hire up to 320 workers
An affiliate of Lutheran Health Network in northeast Indiana that concentrates on health-related businesses services expects to nearly triple its workforce.
Vote would let big conferences set their own rules
The NCAA board of directors will vote Thursday on a proposal that would give the five wealthiest college football conferences the ability to make rules and pass legislation without the approval of the rest of Division I schools.
WellPoint unit launching $80M information exchange
Two insurers announced Tuesday that they are partnering for an ambitious project to establish one of the nation's largest health-information exchanges, an effort they hope will reduce duplication and improve patient outcomes.
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.
Group fighting sexual violence closes over unpaid taxes
The Indiana Coalition Against Sexual Assault suspended its operations after failing to pay payroll and other taxes, raising alarm that victims will fall through the cracks.
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.
Indiana health startups have raised $100M this year
Investors seem to have rediscovered the Midwest this year, pouring a record $777 million into 139 companies, according to BioEnterprise. In the first half of 2013, Midwest companies raised $351 million.
FDA approves Lilly, Boehringer diabetes drug
The Food and Drug Administration said Friday it will permit Jardiance tablets to be used by adult patients with type 2 diabetes who also are trying to control their condition with diet and exercise.
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.
WellPoint beats expectations despite smaller profit
WellPoint Inc.’s profit fell in the second quarter, but still topped Wall Street’s expectations. The health insurer raised its full-year profit forecast and projections for enrollment in its health plans.
Connecticut nixes rate increase by WellPoint subsidiary
Anthem told regulators that the 12.5-percent rate increase was needed because of higher costs for medical services, pharmaceuticals and fees levied by the federal government as part of the Affordable Care Act.
NCAA settles head injury suit, will change rules
In a deal expected to “change college sports forever,” the NCAA agreed Tuesday to settle a class-action head injury lawsuit by creating a $70 million fund to diagnose thousands of current and former college athletes to determine if they suffered brain trauma.
CNO sees higher earnings, revenue in latest quarter
CNO Financial Group Inc. earned $78.1 million compared with profit of $77.1 million in the same period of 2013.
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.