health care costs

Earlier this year, Indiana lawmakers significantly cut public health funding in response to the "bleak" budget forecast. Health care leaders said the state's investment in public health needed more time to address health care costs and outcomes.

High health care costs are a significant concern for Hoosiers and lawmakers. A legislative study committee tasked with exploring policies to address costs made six broad recommendations ahead of the 2025 legislative session.

A new national study by the Rand Corporation found that Indiana’s commercial hospital prices are the 8th highest in the country.

The Federal Trade Commission's ban on noncompetes would impact the health care industry when and if it goes into effect. Some in the industry are applauding the rule, while others are voicing their dismay and vowing to sue.

With high health bills drowning patients in debt, some lawmakers want nonprofit hospitals to give away more free care. But experts warn that could wind up being worse for patients.

A screening colonoscopy is supposed to be free, under federal rules. But an Indiana woman still got a $765 bill. For a year and a half, she got no answers why just finger-pointing between the hospital and insurance. She got sent to debt collection. Then, she reached out to a journalist.

Key court decisions in 2024 about prescription drug prices, abortion bans, gender-affirming care and the Affordable Care Act could change the way health care is delivered in America.

Lawmakers said they're eyeing solutions to Indiana's high health care costs when the legislative session starts in January. But leaders also said they want to give more time to the solutions they've passed in recent years.

A committee of state lawmakers unanimously agreed on seven recommendations to address Indianas high health care costs. The final report by the Health Care Cost Oversight Task Force covers a wide range of policy topics, but the recommendations focus on increased transparency across the health care industry.

Lawmakers set out this year to rein in health care industry practices that contribute to the soaring costs in Indiana.