COVID-19 lawsuit immunity bill heads to Holcomb
Legislation that aims to protect businesses from COVID-19-related lawsuits is heading to Gov. Eric Holcomb’s desk.
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Roche Diagnostics whistleblower wins $3.6M in settlement agreement
A former manager at Roche Diagnostics Corp. who filed a whistleblower lawsuit against the Indianapolis-based company two years ago has won $3.625 million as her reward in a $12.5 million settlement agreement.
Bill expanding long-term care visitation moves to House
Indiana lawmakers moved forward Thursday with a proposal to change visitation restrictions at the state’s health and residential care sites amid concerns about residents’ declining interactions with loved ones during the coronavirus pandemic.
Indiana to soon expand COVID-19 vaccines to those 60 and up
Indiana health officials will soon expand coronavirus vaccines to Hoosiers ages 60 to 65 as they continue to sidestep federal recommendations for vaccine rollout and delay the timeline for teachers and other essential workers to become eligible for COVID-19 shots.
Biden administration asks SCOTUS to uphold health law
The Biden administration has told the Supreme Court of the United States that it believes the entire Affordable Care Act should be upheld, reversing a Trump administration position in a key case pending before the justices.
House amends COVID liability bill, prepares for final vote
Legislation to provide businesses and individuals with protection from COVID-related civil liability is getting closer to the governor’s desk, with the Indiana House amending the bill and setting it up for a final House vote Thursday.
Indiana deaths jumped by 18% during 2020 amid pandemic
A larger surge of coronavirus deaths in Indiana during December than was initially reported contributed to an 18% jump in the state’s overall deaths during 2020.
Democrats propose $1,400 payments as part of Biden virus relief
House Democrats proposed an additional $1,400 in direct payments to individuals as Congress began piecing together a $1.9 trillion COVID-19 relief package that tracks President Joe Biden’s plan for battling the pandemic and reviving a still staggering economy.
Indiana lawmakers propose using cigarette tax for Medicaid
A House committee made significant changes Thursday to the way Indiana would spend proceeds from a proposal to hike the state’s cigarette tax https://www.theindianalawyer.com/articles/indiana-lawmakers-discuss-doubling-cigarette-tax-rate for the first time in more than a decade and impose a new state tax on vaping liquids.
Senate approves budget bill as Harris casts tie-breaking vote
The Senate early Friday approved a budget that would allow fast-track passage of President Joe Biden’s $1.9 trillion coronavirus relief plan without support from Republicans. Vice President Kamala Harris was in the chair to cast the tie-breaking vote, her first.
State lawmakers consider new emergency session rules
State lawmakers have significantly amended a bill that would give the Legislature the authority to weigh in on policies made during a public emergency. The bill cleared a committee and now heads to the full House for consideration.
Indiana gets $12.5 million in opioid settlement with McKinsey & Co.
The Hoosier state will bring home $12.5 million in a multistate settlement with a consulting firm that played a major role working for opioid companies accused of profiting from the opioid epidemic, including Purdue Pharma, the Indiana Attorney General’s office announced Thursday.
Biden discussing COVID-19 aid with Dems, wants fast action
President Joe Biden panned a Republican alternative to his $1.9 trillion COVID rescue plan as insufficient as Senate Democrats pushed ahead, voting to launch a process that could approve his sweeping rescue package on their own, if Republicans refuse to support it.
Senate bill addresses post-release mental health treatment
A Senate bill requested by the Indiana Department of Correction would provide a way to ensure mental health treatment for inmates upon their release.
Indiana Black Legislative Caucus leaders optimistic about agenda
The Indiana Black Legislative Caucus is offering a comprehensive and aggressive agenda for the 2021 session of the Indiana General Assembly. The bills promote police reform, institute changes to juvenile justice, and address inequities in the health care system, among other things.
Indiana House approves COVID-19 liability protection bill
The Indiana House has approved legislation that would protect businesses from COVID-19-related lawsuits. The measure slightly differs from a liability protection measure passed last week by the state Senate.
Indiana lawmakers discuss doubling cigarette tax rate
Indiana lawmakers are considering doubling the state’s cigarette tax and imposing a tax on e-cigarettes. If passed, the new $1 per pack tax would be the first increase since 2007 and the measure would also raise taxes on vaping products.
Anthem paying $594M to settle antitrust litigation, but deal terms might fuel growth
Some investment analysts and health care observers say changes to Blue Cross Blue Shield rules that are stipulated in a half-billion-dollar settlement are so favorable to Indianapolis-based Anthem’s growth prospects that they view the deal as a huge win for the company.
Biden could change course in high court health care case
The pending Supreme Court case on the fate of the Affordable Care Act could give the Biden administration its first opportunity to chart a new course in front of the justices.
New Biden health care orders begin to unspool Trump policies
President Joe Biden will act Thursday to get more people health insurance in the middle of the raging coronavirus pandemic, a down payment on his pledge to push the U.S. toward coverage for all.