Indiana law classifies tools that test the “strength, effectiveness, or purity of a controlled substance” as paraphernalia. This created a “gray area” for fentanyl test strips. The Senate passed legislation to clarify tools that check for the presence of a substance would no longer be considered paraphernalia.

Health care facilities are barred from hiring employees who have been convicted of certain criminal offenses, including felony convictions within the last five years related to “controlled substances.” The House passed legislation that would allow an exception for peer recovery coaches.

Drones have been reported near farms quarantined for bird flu at Adams, Allen, Jackson and Jay counties in Indiana and locations in Ohio. Security officials warn they could spread the virus.

Research and basic information on subjects ranging from tuberculosis surveillance to adolescent health disappeared from federal health agency websites.

A 2023 law made it easier for some Indiana medical providers to offer telehealth services. But, speech-language pathology assistants weren’t included under that law. State lawmakers now want to correct that.

Employers who sponsor health plans typically utilize administrators, like pharmacy benefits managers, to facilitate those plans. But, that doesn’t mean those intermediaries have to act in the best interest of the plan sponsors. A Senate committee approved a bill Wednesday that would change that.

The ideas being proposed could amount to more than $2 trillion of cuts to the country’s public health insurance program for low-income and disabled Americans over the next decade — and could potentially push millions of people off the program.

Research shows that kids may start experimenting with substances around ages 11 or 12. But many substance use programs don’t serve people that young.

Local organizations recently announced a new grant fund that will allow mental health organizations statewide to expand access to trauma-informed mental health care for youth.

Indiana lawmakers are closer than ever to declassifying fentanyl test strips as paraphernalia. A Senate committee passed a bill Tuesday that would make an exception to the statute to allow tools that test for the presence of certain substances.