“Buy now, pay later” products have become more common — customers can pay a portion of the purchase price up front, and then pay the rest in installments over several weeks, with no interest.

Indiana’s health workforce shortage is especially hard on the rural areas of the state. The scarcity of physician training opportunities in these areas may be contributing to the absence of rural doctors.

Indiana’s health workforce faces a number of challenges, including recruiting and retaining rural providers. One solution under consideration is a tax credit for providers who act as mentors.

Rural health leaders and advocates in Indiana say the Medicaid reimbursement rate is way behind where it needs to be. Addressing those rates is among the Indiana Rural Health Association’s advocacy priorities presented ahead of the 2025 legislative session.

When Indiana overhauled its public health system in 2023, county health departments had to opt-in to the program. Six counties did not participate in the first year, but joined in year two. Johnson County was one of them.

Thousands of Hoosiers continue to wait for home- and community-based services through Medicaid. One advocate said families should keep consistent contact with the state while they wait.

Just three initiatives under Indiana’s significant local public health funding program generated nearly $100 million in savings for the state.

Indiana Senate Democrats elected a new leader Wednesday, ousting Sen. Greg Taylor (D-Indianapolis) from the role.

The Family and Social Services Administration said in February it was not aware of how much money certain caregivers were paid. The agency announced it will implement a minimum “pass-through” rate prompted by legislation signed into law this year.

The State Budget Committee approved an additional $85 million to be spent on and around the controversial LEAP development district in central Indiana.