Hospital procedure price comparisons

Hospitals charge significantly different amounts for the same procedure, according to data from the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. This inaugural release of data from more than 3,000 hospitals nationwide compares what hospitals charge for the top 100 procedures/afflictions. Als…

EDITORIAL ADVISORY BOARD: Health care in America is rapidly changing

Today, we find ourselves at a new crossroads in the delivery of health care in the U.S. The health care industry finds itself in a state of unprecedented change.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Action, not blame, needed for mental health

In the aftermath of recent tragedies, many of us are asking what we can do to prevent future instances of violence. Most of the discussion has centered around guns, but strengthening America’s mental health system is just as important.

Ryan aims to destroy middle class entitlements

Once again the financial genius of the Republican Party is about to announce a plan to destroy Medicare as we know it.

The Daily Fix

Offering perspective on today's issues

BRIAN HOWEY: Clowning around with Chocola, Mourdock

Chris Chocola is not a clown.

Former Merrillville attorney sentenced in perjury case

CHICAGO | Former Merrillville attorney Fred Cuppy will spend a year and a day in federal prison following a perjury conviction involving a scheme to hide the wealth of a hospital official.

HEALTH CARE IN 2013: Changes will affect Northwest Indiana

If seismic devices monitoring planet earth could measure the universe of health care, health geologists would report significant tremors. As heat and pressure shift the tectonic plates beneath our feet, economic pressures and the Affordable Care Act (ACA) change the infrastructure and landsc…

GUEST COMMENTARY: Biopharmaceutical innovation boosts Hoosiers' health, wealth

Pearl Pathways, a life sciences consulting firm, recently announced plans to expand its operations in Indianapolis. This decision serves as a clear reminder that biopharmaceutical research plays a vitally important role in the Indiana economy.

GUEST COMMENTARY: Sequestration is no way to run a country

The episode of sequestration – the $85 billion in automatic, across-the-board spending cuts that take effect today – reminds us of what happens when legislators cease to legislate.

Howey forgets to mention where dollars come from

Brian Howey's column on insuring the working poor once again is misleading the folks with Democrat talking points. He states the federal government will pick up 95 percent of the Medicaid expansion until 2020 and 90 percent after that, but what he forgets to mention is where the federal gove…

What does the Affordable Care Act mean for you?

These next two years are important years in health care, with several provisions of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act taking effect.

BRIAN HOWEY: Congressional ideology doesn’t put pork on grill

On New Year's Day, Indiana's four freshman members of the U.S. House voted against the so-called fiscal cliff deal. If the deal hadn't passed — and it did by a 257 to 167 margin — most middle class families would have seen their taxes go up somewhere in the $2,000- to $3,000-a-year range.

South Holland podiatrist sentenced in fraud scheme

CHICAGO | A suspended South Holland podiatrist will serve 18 months in a federal prison for his part in a health fraud scheme.

M'ville vigil to warn of 'fiscal cliff' dangers

INDIANAPOLIS | The coalition of Indiana labor unions will hold a candlelight vigil Monday outside the Merrillville office of U.S. Rep. Pete Visclosky, D-Merrillville, to call attention to the ongoing "fiscal cliff" debate in Congress.

"What is a reasonable expenditure for tax dollars?"

Judy Kralik, Valparaiso | "I'd like free Medicare. I don't want things to change like Social Security or other social benefits, either."

GUEST COMMENTARY: Don't push working families off fiscal cliff

The election is over, but now our country faces another big moment. Behind closed doors, some members of Congress are using the lame duck congressional session to arrange a “grand bargain” — and some are insisting on extending tax cuts for the richest 2 percent of Americans while cutting Med…

Listen closely to discussion of Medicare reforms

In reply to Barbara Deleon's Oct. 27 letter, I believe she doesn't listen very closely to what Mitt Romey and Paul Ryan are saying about their Medicare program.

Under Romney/Ryan those 55 or older get Medicare

In response to Barbara Deleon's Oct. 27 letter indicating that under Mitt Romney and Paul Ryan Medicare goes away and she'll get a $5,000 voucher:

Election winners will face tough choices on major issues

RG Skadberg, far left, of Rice and Rice Attorneys introduces a panel including Cliff Rice, left, of Rice and Rice Attorneys; Bill Green, center, of Green Law Offices; and Marc Ruiz of Oak Partners Inc., in August. The attorneys held the discussion to give more information about the Patient P…