New Indiana law could help hold down prescription drug costs
An Indiana lawmaker says a new state law promises to be an important step toward helping hold down Hoosiers’ prescription drug costs.
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AG Hill defends ACA lawsuit despite demands for withdrawal
Despite demands for Indiana to be withdrawn from a federal lawsuit against the Affordable Care Act, Attorney General Curtis Hill said he will continue to lead Indiana’s opposition to the “unconstitutional” law. Hill said “the foundation on which the Supreme Court built its justification for Obamacare’s constitutionality ceased to exist” when Congress repealed the individual mandate tax.
Dems see Kavanaugh as Obamacare threat, but law likely safe
The heated debate over how Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh would vote on the Affordable Care Act might not matter. As long as five past defenders of the health care law remain on the nation’s highest court, the odds tilt in favor of it being allowed to stand. Some Democrats are warning that President Donald Trump’s designee could spell doom for the statute, even as some conservatives are portraying Kavanaugh as sympathetic to former President Barack Obama’s landmark legislation.
Anthem sued by doctors in dispute over emergency room coverage
The health insurer Anthem Inc. was sued by doctors in Georgia for declining to pay for some emergency room care, escalating a long-running battle over how far insurance plans can go to push patients to seek lower-cost treatment. It’s the latest legal challenge over a change in policy that Indianapolis-based Anthem says was designed to cut down on patients going to an emergency room in situations that don’t require it.
Health officer rejects needle exchange for Miami County
The number of hepatitis C cases doesn’t justify implementing a local needle exchange program despite cases doubling in just one year, a Miami County health official said. Health Officer Dr. Rafik Farag declined to declare an epidemic caused by needle sharing despite pleas from other officials.
Former Mainscape CEO sentenced in nursing home kickback scheme
A fifth person who played a role in a $19 million kickback scheme involving Indiana nursing homes has been sentenced to probation. David Mazanowski, founder and former CEO of the Fishers-based landscaping firm Mainscape Inc., pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court to one felony count of conspiracy to commit mail, wire and health care fraud. […]
Westrick: Summer study committees to focus on health-related topics
While the list of health-related bills that took effect this year is lengthy, there is still more health-related work to be done. The Interim Study Committee on Public Health, Behavioral Health, and Human Services will meet later this summer and fall.
Hadler: Changes to CMS Nursing Home Compare provide better data
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) regularly monitors and publishes comparative data for nursing homes throughout the nation. In Indiana, there are 551 facilities that receive Medicare and/or Medicaid reimbursement and are thereby subject to this regulation.
Right to hope: New law lets patients request untried drugs, but many skeptical
The federal right-to-try law passed this year after similar legislation was adopted in dozens of states, including Indiana. While the law aims to give patients hope for a new treatments or cures, it does not guarantee they will have access because drugmakers can still turn down requests for their experimental medicines.
A look at Supreme Court nominee Kavanaugh’s notable opinions
Judge Brett Kavanaugh, President Donald Trump’s nominee for the Supreme Court, has sat on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit since 2006. Here are summaries of some of his notable opinions:
Nursing home exec Burkhart handed stiff sentence for kickback scheme
James Burkhart's hopes for a light sentence were dashed Friday afternoon when a federal judge handed down a 9-1/2-year sentence for his role in leading a massive kickback scheme as CEO of Indiana’s largest chain of nursing homes.
Federal lawsuit challenges Notre Dame’s birth control rules
A lawsuit has been filed in Indiana challenging Notre Dame University’s plan to make health plan members share in birth control costs.
Justices won’t hear nursing home moratorium appeal
A majority of Indiana’s Supreme Court let stand Indiana’s moratorium on nursing home construction. The 3-2 ruling is a loss for Carmel-based Mainstreet Property Group, which sought to overturn the ban.
7th Circuit reinstates pain clinic’s claim against billing provider
A chronic pain clinic that lost more than a year’s worth of insurance claims through its billing software had its potentially multi-million-dollar breach of contract claim against the provider reinstated Wednesday by the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals.
Lower costs, fewer benefits in new health insurance option
The Trump administration Tuesday rolled out a health insurance option for small businesses and self-employed people that could lead to lower premiums but may also cover fewer benefits than current plans.
COA: Personal rep in estate case has no claim to survivor damages
After a man who filed a wrongful death suit for his wife died intestate and without heirs while the suit was pending, the Court of Appeals concluded the estate’s personal representative could not claim survivor damages.
Prison doctor must face inmate suit as judge seeks counsel
A prison doctor must face a lawsuit from an inmate who claims the physician didn’t follow a surgeon’s orders for pain medication and physical therapy after the inmate’s back surgery. The judge in the case also said he would solicit counsel to represent the inmate going forward.
College skirts health care law’s birth control rule
A northern Indiana college has won its long-running lawsuit seeking a religious exemption from paying for employees’ birth control under former President Barack Obama’s health care law.
Judge: Flashing GIF sent to provoke seizure may be battery
An epileptic seizure suffered by a journalist that was caused by a flashing strobe-like animated GIF sent on Twitter with the message “You deserve a seizure for your posts” may constitute battery, a federal judge in Texas ruled.
Judge: FSSA must allow quadriplegic to receive home care
An elderly quadriplegic who has been confined to a hospital or nursing home since February 2016 could soon return home after a district judge ruled the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration violated her rights by failing to provide her with home-based care.