IndyStar's investigation reveals the extent of Indiana's nursing home scheme

It's a great Sunday to love basketball.

Indystar readers are opening Sunday editions for Sunday News rituals or logging on to Indystar.com, but are sure they've already grown formidable at the end of this year's favorite weekend invasion.

But I'm writing this on Thursday and it's full of predictions ahead of the first chip-off of the NCAA men's and women's basketball tournament. While it is difficult to focus beyond the pinnacle weekend for my favorite entertainment, I also appreciate that Indian Star subscribers are grateful for our mission to inform and empower central Indiana through essential and exclusive local journalism.

So, before we return to the warm glow of basketball that aired, look forward to some updates on 130 S. Meridian St. and what we did in the place beyond.

IndyStar's investigation reveals billions of people detoured from Indiana nursing homes

What is local journalism essential and exclusive? Indystar investigative reporter Tony Cook has been providing it for many years.

Cook's latest report is a continuation of a 2020 investigation of Indiana County Hospital, which diverts the Medicaid funds they run for nursing homes. The scheme allowed hospitals to pay for construction and other projects that were unrelated to nursing home care at the worst time in the country for staffing in Indiana nursing homes.

A Cook report, published this week, uses data partially obtained through a public record lawsuit filed by Indystar in 2022, to show that “Indiana county-owned hospitals are diverting over $2.5 billion in Medicaid, which aims to provide care in nursing homes, and that sick residents and seniors will deal with some of America's poorest staff.

A companion film released Thursday shows that despite efforts to cut federal spending during President Donald Trump's second term, there is little appetite to address this scheme affecting the care of Indiana's most vulnerable residents.

Cook's Dogged Reporting represents Indystar's commitment to WatchDog and accountability journalism. Our research and expanded government accountability team have worked independently and collaboratively to reveal readers about how decisions made by Indiana's most powerful organisations will affect our daily lives.

Over 20 Answers to Indystar's Retro Indy Callout

Two weeks ago I called an Indiana historian who was interested in contributing to weekly retro indie features. With over 20 people sharing their qualifications and interests, it's clear that I have a few things to do.

With a busy ending in March, and potentially dominating the coverage of the Indy 500, we're considering moving forward some forward towards our April choice. Until then, those interested in Indiana history will either turn to today's sports section or head to the work of Kyle Neddenriep, a high school sports reporter at Indystar.com/sports. It's a great read.

Have a question about Indystar? Ask the editor

Finally, Indystar columnists James Briggs and Gregg Doyel both publish popular MailBag columns to answer reader questions. That's what I already do every day via email and perhaps I can provide a broader answer, I'm trying to emulate their success.

Submit your question by emailing the subject “Ask the Editor” at ericlarsen@indystar.com or filling out the form at the end of the online version of this column. Maybe you'll see that and my answer in a future edition.

Thank you for reading. Have a great week.

Eric Larsen is the executive editor of Indystar. Email him to Ericlarsen@indystar.com.