Single-payer health care would be ‘major undertaking,’ CBO says
Adopting universal health coverage “would significantly increase government spending and require substantial additional government resources,” the office said.
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Former Pharmakon exec sentenced to five months for adulterating drugs, conspiracy
Caprice R. Bearden, the company’s former compliance officer, pleaded guilty in November to multiple criminal charges related to the sale of over-potent drugs. She later testified against her boss, who was convicted and awaits sentencing.
Eli Lilly shares droop after drugmaker lowers full-year outlook
Indianapolis-based Lilly reported first quarter revenue of $5.09 billion, up 3% from a year ago but below analyst expectations of $5.2 billion. Sales of several of Lilly’s top drugs missed expectations.
Hospitals sue over new national liver transplant policy
Hospitals and patients have sued to block a new nationwide liver transplant policy that they say will waste viable livers, lead to fewer transplants and likely cause deaths.
Walgreens to hike minimum age for store tobacco sales
Walgreens Boots Alliance Inc. said Tuesday that it will require customers to be at least 21 years old to purchase tobacco in any of its more than 9,500 stores nationwide. The policy starts Sept. 1.
Medicare chief Verma uses forecast as warning for expand-it-to-all plans
The Trump administration’s top Medicare official used an annual report on the program’s fiscal outlook to attack proposals by some Democrats to expand government health-care coverage to all Americans.
McConnell proposes national minimum age of 21 for tobacco
Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell said Thursday his bill will cover all tobacco products, including vaping devices.
Drugmakers reveal list prices online after pressure from Trump
Indianapolis-based Eli Lilly and Co. was one of the first drug firms to begin sharing prices. Now, others are following suit.
Indiana Biosciences Research Institute’s top exec steps down, citing health problems
Dr. Rainer Fischer is giving up the roles of CEO and chief scientific officer, but will continue as senior executive for innovation and discovery.
Indiana Senate sends sperm-misuse legislation to governor
The Indiana Senate gave final approval Tuesday to a bill allowing felony charges in cases of deception involving human sperm, eggs or embryos.
Bristol-Myers gets shareholder approval for $74B Celgene deal
Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. on Friday won a shareholder vote to approve its takeover of Celgene Corp., paving the way to close the largest pharmaceutical merger in history and create a cancer-drug giant.
Springbuk software release spurs double-digit growth
Local tech firm, Springbuk, has grown from 16 to 102 employees in a little more than two years. A recently released product upgrade the company is calling “a game changer” is spurring another round of serious growth.
Pharmacy owner found guilty of manufacturing over-potent drugs sold to hospitals
Paul Elmer, former owner and CEO of Pharmakon Pharmaceuticals in Noblesville, was convicted in federal court of nine counts of adulterating drugs and one count of conspiracy. He was acquitted of an additional count of obstruction of justice.
Marion County syringe-exchange program ready to hit the road
County officials unveiled a mobile health unit that will visit neighborhoods hit hard by hepatitis C and offer health screenings and clean needles in the latest tactic against the opioid epidemic.
Feds charge two dozen in billion-dollar Medicare brace scam
Federal agents on Tuesday broke up a billion-dollar Medicare scam that peddled unneeded orthopedic braces to hundreds of thousands of seniors.
Indiana lawmakers back felony charge for doctors who misuse sperm
The Indiana House voted 93-0 on Monday in favor of a bill allowing felony charges in cases of deception involving a medical procedure, device, drug or human reproductive material, such as sperm, eggs or embryos.
Young introduces bill to boost rural nursing program
U.S. Sen. Todd Young is co-sponsoring legislation that would expand a federal program that rewards nurses who work in underserved areas.
Watchdog to examine Medicare chief Seema Verma’s publicity spending
Verma, a protege of Vice President Mike Pence and the architect of Indiana’s Medicaid expansion, appears to have steered agency money to political allies in an effort to boost her reputation, prominent Democrats say.
Battered insurer MDwise readies for turnaround
The CEO who took charge last summer of the Indianapolis company that provides health insurance, food, career help and other services to low-income people acknowledges he has a big job ahead.
Ruling creates uncertainty for states’ Medicaid work rules
Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson urged the federal government to appeal a ruling against his state’s requirement that certain people covered by its Medicaid expansion work or lose their coverage. States with similar rules, like Indiana, are closely watching the case.