New study: Opioid crisis cost US economy $631B over 4 years
The opioid crisis cost the U.S. economy $631 billion from 2015 through last year — and it may keep getting more expensive, according to a study released Tuesday by the Society of Actuaries.
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Medicaid lawsuits headed to D.C. appellate court
Two lawsuits similar to the one filed against Indiana’s plan to impose new restrictions and work requirements on Medicaid recipients are scheduled for oral arguments Friday in the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia.
Overhaul proposed for decades-old Medicare fraud rules
The Trump administration on Wednesday proposed overhauling decades-old Medicare rules originally meant to deter fraud and abuse but now seen as a roadblock to coordinating better care for patients. Two former Indiana health care industry professionals are leading the proposed reforms.
Transfer dissent: Justices should ‘clear up uncertainty’ about disclosure of private information
Indiana Chief Justice Loretta Rush has penned a dissent to the denial of transfer to a case involving public disclosure of private health information, calling the transfer decision a missed opportunity “to clear up uncertainty” regarding whether disclosure is actionable.
Latest ‘Obamacare’ court battle plays out in New Orleans
The fate of former President Barack Obama’s signature health care law, and its coverage and insurance protections for millions of Americans, is again being argued before a panel of judges — this time a federal appeals court in New Orleans. At issue in a hearing scheduled Tuesday is whether Congress effectively rendered it unconstitutional in 2017 when it zeroed out the tax imposed on those who chose not to buy insurance.
‘Historic’ opioid trial raises questions, possible answers
What’s being called a historic trial is underway in Oklahoma — the first against a drugmaker accused of contributing to the opioid crisis.
Fort Wayne electronic health records company to pay states $900K after data breach
A Fort-Wayne based electronic health records company has agreed to pay $900,000 to settle an Indiana-led multistate lawsuit filed after a data breach compromised the personal health information of nearly 4 million people.
Appeals panel upholds Muncie doctor’s convictions
The Indiana Court of Appeals has affirmed the forgery and prescription-related offenses for a Muncie doctor alleged to have overprescribed pain medication to patients by using his nurse practitioners’ names to sign the orders.
Supreme Court sends dispute over Fosamax back to lower court
The Supreme Court is sending a dispute between drugmaker Merck and patients who used its bone-strengthening drug Fosamax back to a lower court.
Feds award Indiana $1.2M for opioid response in rural areas
A federal agency has awarded Indiana $1.2 million to further the state’s efforts to fight the opioid epidemic in rural areas.
Chinese national indicted in connection with Anthem’s massive data breach
A federal grand jury in Indianapolis has indicted a Chinese national in connection with the massive computer hacking of health insurer Anthem Inc. in 2015 that compromised the private information of 78.8 million customers and former customers.
Trump, GOP states ask appeals court to kill ‘Obamacare’
Taking a harder line on health care, the Trump administration on Wednesday joined a coalition of Republican-led states, including Indiana, in asking a federal appeals court to entirely overturn former President Barack Obama’s signature health care law — a decision that could leave millions uninsured.
IU Health among hospitals suing 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.
Mom loses SSDI appeal for extra benefits on behalf of son
A mother seeking additional disability benefits for her ailing son has failed to convince the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals that her child was entitled to benefits before he was 7 years old.
‘Overbroad’ injunction against sales rep’s soliciting remanded
The Indiana Court of Appeals partially agreed with a medical components company and one of its employees after it concluded a trial court’s order restricting the vice president of sales from contacting clients from his previous employer was overbroad.
Indiana Senate OKs second-trimester abortion procedure ban
The Indiana Senate has approved legislation that would largely ban a common second-trimester abortion procedure — a proposal that if signed into law by Gov. Eric Holcomb faces a certain challenge in federal court.
COA affirms commitment for woman with suicidal ideations
An Indiana appellate panel affirmed the commitment and forced-medication order of a woman found to be a danger to herself, finding there was clear and convincing evidence to support both orders despite her contentions otherwise.
COA reinstates nurse’s negligence claim against hospital
A woman suing a hospital for negligence after falling on property it owned successfully won over an appellate panel that found the hospital failed to designate sufficient evidence to affirmatively negate her claims.
Dialysis facility’s breach of contract claims pre-empted
A medical facility that provided regular, life-sustaining dialysis treatments lost its appeal seeking to recover more than $1.5 million from its patients’ benefit plans when the Indiana Court of Appeals found the facility’s claims were pre-empted by the Employee Retirement Income Security Act.
Unpredictable storms: Attorneys link climate change to insurance policy changes
Indiana is having more headaches with water, as evidenced by multiple severe floods in recent years. Purdue climate researchers report that by the mid-century, Hoosiers could see about 6 percent to 8 percent more rainfall than the state averaged from 1971 to 2000. And that could leave many Hoosiers scrambling for adequate insurance.