Lawmakers approved the final version of a "comprehensive plan" meant to address health care costs in Indiana. The legislation now heads to the governor's desk despite concerns that some of the policies could limit access to quality health care.

Legislation focused on prior authorization reforms is headed to the governor after Senate lawmakers approved changes to the bill Wednesday. Lawmakers said the bill is an important step in addressing health care costs for Hoosiers.

Gov. Mike Braun unveiled a new health initiative which makes several significant changes to Indiana's Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP. The top U.S. health official said the changes go further than any other state's so far.

Large nonprofit hospital systems would be prohibited from raising prices for two years under an amendment approved by a Senate committee. The bill is meant to address health care costs in Indiana — but has faced harsh criticism from some lawmakers.

Indiana lawmakers banned noncompete agreements for primary care physicians two years ago. The House-approved bill expands the ban to include all doctors employed by hospitals and their affiliated entities.

A Senate committee advances a bill pressuring nonprofit hospitals to lower costs. Language banning government involvement in “obscene performances” gets added to an unrelated bill. And an expansion of the state’s Lifeline Law heads to the governor.

The Indiana Senate passed a resolution in support of pregnancy care centers — but advocates said they have “serious concerns” about the move from lawmakers. Some OB-GYNs said it’s important to understand what pregnancy care centers are, and what they are not.

Emergency medical service providers primarily transport patients to emergency departments even if that isn’t the most appropriate facility for care. That’s because it’s the only way they’re able to receive reimbursement. An Indiana House committee approved a bill that would change that.

Pharmacy benefits managers, or PBMs, are meant to lower drug prices by acting as a middleman between drug manufacturers and either insurance companies or employers who sponsor health plans. Advocates said employers and consumers often don’t understand what PBMs are and how they work.

The Indiana Senate approved a stripped down version of a prior authorization reform bill Thursday. The legislation was heavily amended over fiscal concerns. But, the author of the bill said he disagrees with the original fiscal analysis for the bill.