In various state health-ranking reports, Indiana is consistently among the unhealthiest states on most any measure including chronic disease, overall health, and life expectancy. According to the American Lung Association,…
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Immunization rates are falling. Vaccine disinformation, uncertainty, and skepticism seem to be at historic highs, extending from the COVID-19 vaccine to questioning the value and safety of other routine vaccinations….
State Senator Tyler Johnson has again authored a bill in the Indiana General Assembly that would put some reins on “prior authorization” for medical services and prescriptions by insurance entities….
Once again, this legislative session, advanced practice registered nurses (nurse practitioners) will continue their quest to gain “full practice authority,” commonly referred to as “independent practice.” Currently, Indiana law requires…
This column neither supports or opposes abortion rights. It focuses solely on the adverse unintended consequences of restrictive state abortion laws and their exceptions affecting obstetrical practice. Most laws have…
We’re in the Medicare open enrollment season. I strongly advise patients signing up for Medicare to avoid Part C Medicare Advantage programs (MAPs). Rather, I recommend “traditional” Medicare with a…
My column last month discussed one of the “endgame” approaches to finally end tobacco smoking. This approach is the “birthdate-based phaseout” of tobacco use whereby people born after a certain…
For decades, public health officials and anti-tobacco activists have talked about the “endgame” in tobacco control. It refers to laws and policies that would virtually end tobacco use. Great strides…
Vaccine misinformation and politicization abound in America. Social media and internet sites are packed with both from vaccine critics. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other…
The COVID-19 pandemic has killed over 1.2 million Americans and over 7 million worldwide. The 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic killed an estimated 675,000 Americans and 40 to 60 million globally….