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optometrytimes.com

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Indiana optometrists open state’s first OD-owned surgical suites

Christopher Browning, OD, and Nicholas Garn, OD, now offer cataract surgery and refractive lens exchange in their own practices. Indiana’s first OD-owned office-based surgery (OBS) suites are now open. These suites allow patients to receive cataract surgery and refractive lens exchange (RLE) in the same practice where their optometrist evaluated them. Christopher Browning, OD, of VisionQuest Eyecare, opened his suite on October 29, and Nicholas Garn, OD, of Zionsville Eyecare, opened a separate suite on October 30, 2026.1 While Browning and Garn worked closely together on the development of the 2 surgical suites, the practices themselves are independently owned and operated.1.

Indiana · 3d
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South Bend Tribune

partner publisher · 14.5K followers
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Medicaid guidelines troubling for Hoosiers living with HIV | Opinion

For decades, medical advances have transformed what it means to live with HIV. What was once considered a death sentence is now a manageable chronic condition. With consistent access to medication and medical care, people living with HIV can lead long, healthy lives, raise families, pursue careers and contribute to their communities. That progress is something we should celebrate and protect. Yet Indiana's newly released medical frailty guidelines tied to Medicaid work requirements threaten to undermine that progress by failing to recognize HIV as a condition that automatically qualifies individuals for medical frailty protections. The decision creates a troubling contradiction: We have spent decades helping people living with HIV stay healthy, yet our policies could now require them to become seriously ill before receiving protections that help keep them healthy. At Damien Center, Indiana’s largest HIV/AIDS service provider, we see firsthand how access to consistent medical care changes lives. We also see how quickly that progress can be threatened when someone loses health insurance or encounters barriers to treatment. HIV is a lifelong condition requiring ongoing medical care, regular laboratory monitoring and consistent access to antiretroviral therapy. These medications suppress the virus, protect the immune system and prevent HIV from

Indiana · 1d

The Herald-Times

partner publisher · 12.6K followers
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Indiana measles cases jump; Monroe County urges vaccination

The Monroe County Health Department is "strongly encouraging" residents to stay up to date on their vaccinations after Indiana recorded 43 additional measles cases in the past week. The Indiana Department of Health said it has documented cases in 18 counties — though none in Monroe or any contiguous counties. The closest county, geographically, where the state has recorded a case is Jennings County. More than half the cases are in just four counties in the northern and eastern parts of the state. Fifty-four of the state's 117 cases were reported in people younger than 20, and more than two-thirds were younger than 30. The nation has recorded more than 4,800 measles cases this year, more than double the total reported in all of last year. Measles is one of the world’s most contagious diseases, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Symptoms that typically appear seven to 14 days after infection can include high fever that can spike above 104 degrees Fahrenheit, a cough, runny nose and red, watery eyes. Two to three days after symptoms begin, tiny white spots may appear inside the mouth. The typical measles rash appears three to five days after the

Monroe County, IN · 1d

The Courier & Press

partner publisher · 13.8K followers
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Keeping Hoosiers covered is essential for access to health care | Opinion

Beginning Jan. 1, Indiana will enter a new chapter for the Healthy Indiana Plan (HIP) as compliance determinations begin under the new work requirements for certain Hoosiers. For Indiana’s hospitals, that means doing everything we can now to help eligible Hoosiers understand the changes, maintain their coverage and stay connected to care. HIP was created with work and personal responsibility at its core, and we recognize the importance of that principle. Good health and the ability to work, learn, and contribute to our communities go hand in hand. As these requirements take effect, we want to ensure the process is clear and workable, so eligible Hoosiers can maintain their coverage. Hospitals across the state have already begun incorporating information about the new requirements into their patient navigation efforts to help them do just that. That work has real urgency. Since the beginning of 2025, 519,000 fewer Hoosiers are enrolled in Medicaid, while another 60,000 have lost Marketplace coverage because of federal changes to the premium subsidies. The state estimates another 58,000 HIP members, roughly 12% of current enrollees, could be at risk of losing coverage under the new HIP work requirements. For the patients hospitals care for every day, those

Indiana · 1d

Journal & Courier

partner publisher · 10.8K followers

Op-ed: You shouldn’t have to leave home for great health care

For many years, an assumption in communities such as ours was that if you need truly advanced health care, you had to leave town to find it. Bigger cities meant better care. Specialized treatment meant long drives, unfamiliar hospitals, and time away from family and work. Thankfully, that’s changing. Today, Greater Lafayette and similar communities are seeing more investment in what health-care leaders often call “world-class care.” While that phrase can sometimes sound like marketing language, the reality behind it matters deeply for patients, families and the future of regional health care in Indiana. At its core, world-class care means people can access high-quality, specialized health care closer to home. It means having physicians connected to the latest research, coordinated teams focused on complex conditions, and health-care systems willing to invest in innovation — not only in large metropolitan areas, but in regional and rural communities as well. One important piece of that approach is the development of health-care “institutes.” In a hospital setting, an institute is not simply another department. Institutes are designed to bring together teams of specialists, nurses, technology, rehabilitation experts and support services around a specific area of care such as cancer, cardiovascular health or orthopedics.

Lafayette, IN · 23h

acuity.news

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Hopebridge CEO LeAnne Hester on Her First Months in the Role. Clinical Governance, Compliance, Technology, and What Indiana’s Medicaid Overhaul Has Meant for Autism Care.

The Hopebridge Chief Executive on clinical governance, compliance, technology, Indiana Medicaid changes, and the evolution of autism care. Regulation is outrunning provider infrastructure: Hester describes one month in which three states rolled out significant policy changes inside 72 hours, each requiring rewritten standards, retraining and new webinars. She says that weight lands on clinicians in ways the company’s systems were never built to absorb.

Indiana · 1d

WEHT/WTVW

partner publisher · 79.4K followers

Tri-State hospitals make best in state hospital list

HENDERSON, Ky (WEHT) – Three Tri-State hospitals have been ranked as one of the best in state hospitals for Kentucky and Indiana, according to Newsweek. In a list of the top 800 hospitals across all 50 states and the District of Columbia, Ascension St. Vincent was ranked sixth in the Hoosier State. Owensboro and Greenville […]

Kentucky · 9d

WISH-TV

partner publisher · 93.5K followers

Damien Center calls for HIV to qualify for Medicaid medical frailty exemption

INDIANAPOLIS — Damien Center, Indiana’s oldest and largest HIV service organization, is urging state officials to revise Medicaid medical frailty guidelines that do not automatically qualify people with HIV for exemptions from new work requirements. The organization says the guidelines could put Hoosiers at risk of losing access to health care and medications that help […]

Indiana · 2d

Indiana Capital Chronicle

partner publisher · 11.8K followers

Pharmacy linked to Indiana execution drug invoice faces possible suspension

Lawyers seeking a reprieve for Jeffrey Weisheit ahead of his execution this week say Indiana purchased pentobarbital, the lethal injection drug it plans to use, from Pharmaneek Inc., an Indianapolis pharmacy on probation and facing possible suspension of its license. Weisheit’s attorneys asked Gov. Mike Braun on Monday to halt the Nov. 5 execution and […]

Indiana · 5d

WISH-TV

partner publisher · 93.5K followers

Residents roll up their sleeves for free vaccine clinic at UIndy

INDIANAPOLIS — The University of Indianapolis Tuesday opened the doors of the Schwitzer Student Center to the public for a free vaccine clinic. UIndy partnered with the Indiana Immunization Coalition and the Central Indiana Area Health Care Education Center for the clinic, providing a variety of CDC recommended vaccines, including Hepatitis A and B, HPV, […]

Indianapolis, IN · 3d

yournewsjournal.com

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Peabody Retirement Community urges local Medicare beneficiaries to review coverage before Dec. 7 deadline

Peabody Retirement Community urges local Medicare beneficiaries to review coverage before Dec. 7 deadline. Free community event with an Indiana SHIP counselor offers unbiased, one-on-one help comparing 2027 plans. Peabody Retirement Community is encouraging older adults, families and caregivers across the area to take a fresh look at their Medicare...

Indiana · 3d

FOX59 / CBS4 Indy

partner publisher · 111.1K followers

Measles cases are climbing in Indiana, vaccination gaps to blame

Indiana · 4d

WTHR

publisher · 224.1K followers

Attorneys claim drug sourcing from pharmacy facing shutdown, request Weisheit's execution pause

Indiana · 5d

WISH-TV

partner publisher · 93.5K followers

Columbus Regional Health CEO focuses on keeping quality care local

INDIANAPOLIS — Andy Guz, president and CEO of Columbus Regional Health, is focused on providing high-quality health care locally while strengthening partnerships that address community needs. Guz took over as CEO on July 1, bringing more than 20 years of health care experience to the role. He said the health system’s independence and ability to […]

Columbus, IN · 8d

Indiana Capital Chronicle

partner publisher · 11.8K followers

As feds cut key fee, Indiana Medicaid chief warns changes needed to avoid ‘catastrophic situation’

The leader of Indiana’s Medicaid program says the state must change up a widely used low-income health insurance program as the federal government slashes a key funding source over the next five years. The phase-down is one way President Donald Trump’s administration is pushing health costs back onto states. Last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill […]

Indiana · 9d

21alivenews.com

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Riley Children’s Hospital to begin measles screenings next week

(WPTA) - Riley Hospital for Children will begin screening for measles at hospital entrances beginning Nov. 2 as an added precaution to protect patients, visitors and team members. Measles is a highly contagious airborne illness that can pose serious health risks, particularly for infants and children who are immunocompromised and...

Indiana · 7d

The Financial Wire

partner publisher · 64.9K followers

Healthy Indiana Plan members 19 to 64 must spend 80 hours a month on work or approved activities from Jan. 1, with hours checked every three months

Starting Jan. 1, 2027, Indiana will check every three months whether adults on the Healthy Indiana Plan, known as HIP, are putting in 80 hours a month on work or approved activities. The rule covers members ages 19 to 64. Anyone whose hours or exemption cannot be confirmed gets a notice asking for proof, and... The post Healthy Indiana Plan members 19 to 64 must spend 80 hours a month on work or approved activities from Jan. 1, with hours checked every three months appeared first on The Financial Wire .

Indiana · 10d

FOX59 / CBS4 Indy

partner publisher · 111.1K followers

Riley Children’s Hospital to begin screening patients, visitors for measles on precautionary basis

INDIANAPOLIS — Riley Hospital for Children in downtown Indianapolis will soon begin screening its patients and visitors for measles on a precautionary basis. According to a release, screenings will happen at hospital entrances starting on Monday. Patients and visitors should expect to be asked brief questions about possible measles symptoms and exposure at the facility’s […]

Indianapolis, IN · 8d

WAVE

publisher · 26.5K followers

Indiana confirms state's 1st flu-related death of 2026 as local health officials see spike in cases

Indiana · 7d

IndyStar | The Indianapolis Star

partner publisher · 76.7K followers

Why Indy officials are warning some people to stay inside tonight

Air pollution risk to human health prompted the City of Indianapolis to issue a Knozone Advisory from 6 p.m. Oct. 28 to 10 a.m. Oct. 29. Fine particulate matter, also called PM2.5 , is expected to rise to levels that are unhealthy for everyone for several hours. This kind of particle pollution is made up of a variety of chemicals small enough to be inhaled. Indianapolis officials advise individuals in sensitive groups – like children, outdoor laborers and people with heart and lung illnesses – to "remain indoors as much as possible" during the duration of the advisory. This is the city's second consecutive air quality advisory this week following stagnant weather conditions in Central Indiana. A layer of air close to the ground and calm winds are forecasted overnight, which could trap pollution released in the environment and cause PM2.5 to rise, according to Indiana Department of Environmental Management 's Local Air Quality Advisory. Learn more: How does the Air Quality Index work? Indianapolis officials also recommend keeping windows closed, running an air conditioner or purifier, and recirculating air while inside vehicles to reduce exposure to outdoor air. Hoosiers can view updated air quality information provided by the United

Indianapolis, IN · 9d