Top Democrat condemns GOP 'punting' to expand Medicaid eligibility

INDIANAPOLIS | House Democratic Leader Scott Pelath, D-Michigan City, is only half-joking when he describes a new law permitting the sale of uninspected frozen rabbit meat at roadside stands as the jobs bill of the just-concluded 2013 legislative session.

Methodist Hospitals' annual State of the Organization address

Methodist Hospitals President and CEO Ian McFadden speaks Friday during Methodist's annual State of the Organization address at the Genesis Center in Gary.

Urgent care serves in-between cases

From strip malls to pharmacies to freestanding buildings, medical care increasingly is being found outside traditional hospital and doctors' office settings.

House approves revised plan for hospital police departments

INDIANAPOLIS | A proposal allowing public and private Indiana hospitals to establish their own police departments was approved 84-8 by the House on Thursday, but only after lawmakers made several major changes to the Senate-approved version.

Hospitalization rates

The parking lot at Franciscan St. Margaret Health hospital in Dyer hospital is full Thursday afternoon. With a busier than usual flu season coming to a close, hospitals are emerging from peak occupancy times and preparing to ease into spring

Senate OKs measure allowing hospitals to have own police

INDIANAPOLIS | Public and private hospitals could establish their own police forces under legislation approved 29-18 Monday by the Indiana Senate.

Study: Medicaid expansion worth $3.4B to Indiana economy, 30,000 jobs

INDIANAPOLIS | The Indiana Hospital Association called on state lawmakers Monday to expand Medicaid eligibility under the Affordable Care Act after a study showed expansion would provide the state $3.4 billion in added economic activity and support 30,000 jobs.

Pelath demands debate on Medicaid expansion

INDIANAPOLIS | House Democratic Leader Scott Pelath, D-Michigan City, lashed out Friday at top legislative Republicans for not taking steps to decide whether Indiana should expand its Medicaid program under the new federal health law.

Hospitals expand reach with ERs

Dr. Daniel Checco sits in the critical care procedure room at Silver Cross Emergency Care Center in Homer Glen. The hospital's freestanding emergency center has been in operation since 2009.

Hospitals expand reach with ERs

A CT scan technician prepares for a patient at the Silver Cross Emergency Care Center in Homer Glen.

Hospitals expand reach with ERs

CHICAGO | One recent evening after office hours, Dr. James Magee got a phone call about a patient, a woman in her 40s. She complained of tingling on one side of her body, in her arm and leg. Could it be a stroke?

Report: Region lacks critical care center for pediatric patients

A study of Northwest Indiana hospitals shows a gaping hole in care for critically ill children.

Color them more efficient

As another step toward patient safety and satisfaction, clinical staff members of Franciscan Alliance Northern Indiana Region hospitals are wearing designated colors to help visitors better know who’s who.

Out of bed! Hospitals aim to keep elderly strong

Patients Bob Landorf, left, and Anthony Pazzur walk the corridors with volunteer Barb Diedrich on Feb. 8 at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, Ill. Northwest Community has a new program that pairs patients with hospital volunteers, who get patients up out of bed and moving, a…

Out of bed! Hospitals aim to keep elderly strong

Dina Lipowich, director of Medical Nursing and Inpatient Geriatrics at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, Ill., discusses the hospital's new program she helped develop, that pairs patients with hospital volunteers, who get patients up out of bed and moving, and also act as bu…

Court: Medical bills must be reasonable

INDIANAPOLIS | A contract between a patient and hospital that does not include or refer specifically to the price for services the patient is expected to pay is unenforceable, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday.

Indiana Court of Appeals ruling in Allen and Moore v. Clarian

Without a contract that includes or specifically refers to prices for medical services, a hospital is only entitled to charge reasonable rates, the Indiana Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday.

State may seek flu shot data of medical workers

INDIANAPOLIS | State lawmakers may require hospitals to report their employee immunization rates to shame medical workers into getting an annual flu shot.

Local health system mandates flu vaccine for upcoming season

For more than 10 years, Vicki has declined the free influenza vaccine offered to her by her employer, the Franciscan Alliance, for personal reasons. This year she won't have that choice. The health system is instituting a new requirement for all employees to get a flu shot this year.

Keeping record

Electronic medical records are a hot topic in the health care industry. The online systems help monitor patients medication and care by multiple users rather than relying on one physical chart being passed from health care provider to provider. "Everything you need at the tip of your fingers…