Finding foster parents is a challenge, Indiana advocates say
In the 2022 fiscal year, 570,000 children across the United States were served by the foster care system. Of that number, 19,201 children were served in Indiana.
Department of Health and Human Services
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Marijuana recommendation by U.S. health agency hailed as first step to easing restrictions
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has delivered a recommendation to the Drug Enforcement Administration on marijuana policy, and Senate leaders hailed it Wednesday as a first step toward easing federal restrictions on the drug.
Feds expect to collect $4.7B in insurance fraud penalties
The Biden administration estimated Monday that it could collect as much as $4.7 billion from insurance companies with newer and tougher penalties for submitting improper charges on the taxpayers’ tab for Medicare Advantage care.
Feds to investigate nursing home abuse of antipsychotics
The federal government says it will begin a targeted crackdown on nursing homes’ abuse of antipsychotic drugs and misdiagnoses of schizophrenia in patients.
Judge blocks enforcement of Biden abortion guidance in Texas
A federal judge in Texas temporarily blocked the federal government from enforcing a legal interpretation that would require hospitals in the state to provide abortion services if the life of the mother is at risk.
Biden admin: Docs must offer abortion if mom’s life at risk
The Biden administration on Monday told hospitals that they “must” provide abortion services if the life of the mother is at risk, saying federal law on emergency treatment guidelines preempts state laws in jurisdictions that now ban the procedure without any exceptions following the U.S. Supreme Court’s decision to end a constitutional right to abortion.
Drug pricing enforcement action against Lilly blocked by federal court
The federal government’s assertion that Eli Lilly and Co. violated a program to offer low-income Medicaid and Medicare patients discounted drugs was tossed by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Indiana in a 65-page opinion, which also hinted that Congress needs to address the problems with the 340B Drug Pricing Program.
Anderson, Foster: OCR shows unwavering commitment to Right of Access initiative
The Office of Civil Rights under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services continues to enforce individuals’ rights to access their health information through its Right of Access Initiative. Through its initiative, OCR vigorously enforces individuals’ rights to receive copies of their medical records without facing overcharges.
Cox, Friedman: Federal, state protections for manufacturers of COVID-19 products
In order to protect and encourage innovation in the pandemic response effort, both the secretary of Health and Human Services and the Indiana Legislature have enacted protections from liability for those making products aimed at helping in the fight against COVID-19.
Reversing Trump, US restores transgender health protections
The U.S. will protect gay and transgender people against sex discrimination in health care, the Biden administration announced Monday, reversing a Trump-era policy that sought to narrow the scope of legal rights in sensitive situations involving medical care.
Biden begins to undo Trump’s ban on abortion referrals
The Biden administration on Wednesday began to undo a Trump-era ban on clinics referring women for abortions, a policy directive that drove Planned Parenthood from the federal family planning program and created new complications for women trying to get birth control.
Divided 7th Circuit upholds judgment against mom of injured child
A mother whose son was injured in a “traumatic” birth experience cannot proceed with her tort claims against the federal government because her claims were untimely, a divided panel of the 7th Circuit court of Appeals has ruled. A dissenting judge, however, warned of setting an “extraordinarily harsh” standard.
Indiana receives 10-year extension of Healthy Indiana Plan
The state of Indiana has received federal approval to continue for 10 more years its Healthy Indiana Plan medical savings account that enrolls more than 572,000 low-income adult Hoosiers.
McKinney experts offer ‘roadmap’ to control COVID-19
To put it mildly, the year of COVID-19 has been a time of uncertainty. That’s why a group of law professors, including two from Indianapolis, has been working since March to shine a light on the role the law plays in a national emergency.
Trump administration $21M gamble on Pepcid as a COVID remedy fizzles
As the coronavirus began its deadly march through the world, two well-respected American doctors identified a possible but seemingly unlikely remedy: Pepcid, the heartburn medication found on drugstore shelves everywhere. There were no published data or studies to suggest its effectiveness against the novel coronavirus. But that didn’t stop the Trump administration from granting a $21 million emergency contract that is now the subject of whistleblower complaints.
Trump administration urges end to Affordable Care Act as pandemic surges
As coronavirus cases rise in more than half of the states, the Trump administration is urging the Supreme Court to overturn the Affordable Care Act. The administration’s high court filing Thursday came the same day the government reported that close to half a million people who lost their health insurance amid the economic shutdown to slow the spread of COVID-19 have gotten coverage through HealthCare.gov.
Court strikes down Trump rule that drugmakers disclose price
In a major legal setback for President Donald Trump on a high-profile consumer issue, a federal appeals court has ruled that his administration lacks the legal authority to force drug companies to disclose prices in their TV ads.
State total of COVID-19 cases rises to 10 after 3 test positive in Johnson County
The Indiana State Department of Health on Wednesday said the number of presumptive positive cases for COVID-19 has risen to 10 in the state after the emergence of four more cases, including three cases in Johnson County.
State aims to extend Healthy Indiana Plan
Indiana has submitted a request for a 10-year extension of its Medicaid alternative program, the Healthy Indiana Plan, and still included is the suspended work requirement that was imposed on some enrollees in the public assistance program but is currently under review by the courts.
Ruling in Arkansas case creates hurdle for Indiana’s Medicaid work mandates
Indiana’s attempt to impose work requirements on some Medicaid recipients likely suffered a setback Feb. 14 when an appellate court ruled that similar mandates in Arkansas fell outside the core objective of the federal health care program.