Hospitals

FSSA Secretary Mitch Roob said the federal legislation would give the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services the authority to d eny Indiana's request for the new managed care tax.

FSSA 'races' for approval on new HIP 3.0 funding structure before CMS can deny it

Abigail Ruhman

The new funding structure makes some adjustments to a tax that already exists on hospitals. The main change comes from a new tax on insurance companies or managed care organizations.

Lawmakers said the policy is targeted at the “big five” systems in Indiana — Indiana University Health, Parkview Health, Franciscan Health, Community Health Network and Ascension Health. The large nonprofit hospital systems would have to cap their prices starting in July and not exceed that cap through June 2027.

Indiana’s ‘big five’ hospital systems could face two year price freeze

Abigail Ruhman

Under the Senate Appropriations amendment to House Bill 1004, Indiana’s largest nonprofit hospital systems would not be allowed to exceed the prices set before January 1, 2025.

Senate Bill 2 reintroduces Indiana's previously halted work requirements and limits enrollment to 500,000 people — with some flexibility based on federal Medicaid policy. That’s nearly 200,000 people less than current enrollment.

Indiana Senate passes Medicaid, HIP overhaul despite concerns about access, coverage

Abigail Ruhman

The Senate approved legislation that would make several significant changes to the Healthy Indiana Plan, or HIP.

The bill’s author said many of these changes have been discussed for years, but this year they were “investigated and embraced” as a part of a larger Healthy Indiana Plan, or HIP redesign.

Hospitals support Medicaid expansion funding changes; Braun raises concerns

Abigail Ruhman

House committee approved a bill that would make several funding changes to Indiana's Medicaid expansion program.

Generally, most patients are likely not going to realize there is a shortage as hospitals rush to implement their conservation plans to ensure that they don’t reach a point of scarcity and that acutely ill patients continue to receive the IV fluid they need.

Hospitals brace for IV fluid shortages after Hurricane Helene closes N.C. manufacturing plant

Farah Yousry, Side Effects Public Media

Generally, most patients are likely not going to realize there is a shortage as hospitals rush to implement their conservation plans to ensure that they don’t reach a point of scarcity and that acutely ill patients continue to receive the IV fluid they need.

Nancy Radcliff is the CEO of Southern Indiana Community Health Care — one of the organizations that helped develop the response. She said people need to be informed about what resources are still available, but getting people that information can be difficult.

Health care leaders say community involvement is key in response to rural hospital closure

Abigail Ruhman

After Ascension Saint Vincent Dunn in Bedford closed in 2022, health care leaders had to quickly solve challenges unique to rural communities.

Indiana Hospital Association President Brian Tabor said the state needs to "rebalance" its partnership with hospitals when it comes to funding.

Indiana hospitals at 'breaking point' as new legislative panel prepares to examine Medicaid

Brandon Smith

The new state budget improved the Medicaid reimbursement rates for physicians this year. But IHA President Brian Tabor said hospitals now need more support from the state.

With legal and industry action unfolding at home, and more efforts advancing in Washington, Indiana’s lawmakers are hesitant to go further — but some advocates want more.

Indiana likely to wait on further noncompete legislation — pending lawsuit, industry impacts

Leslie Bonilla Muñiz, Indiana Capital Chronicle

Federal agencies and Congress are also considering larger-scale restrictions on the agreements.

Hospitals close-lipped on post-rape abortion policies

Leslie Bonilla Muñiz, Indiana Capital Chronicle

Some religiously affiliated institutions say they won’t perform procedures for rape.

Like many rural hospitals, Crawford County Memorial in Iowa has faced financial challenges. But Don Luensmann, the hospital’s marketing director, said administrators do not plan to pursue the new federal Rural Emergency Hospital designation.

How new federal help could save rural Midwest hospitals — and why some don't want it

Natalie Krebs | Side Effects Public Media

From 2010 to 2021, 136 rural hospitals have closed in the U.S., according to a recent report from the American Hospital Association. This includes a record 19 closures in 2020.