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HOT JOBS
New Bill Would Force Deaconess and Ascension to Reduce Prices
One of the bills introduced in this legislative session will crack down on nonprofit hospitals that exploit their tax-exempt status while charging some of the highest prices in the country.
HB 1004 would strip nonprofit status from hospitals that charge more than 200% above what Medicare pays for services.
Devin Anderson, a board member of Hoosiers for Affordable Healthcare, applauded the bill, calling it a bold move to address Indiana’s ninth-highest hospital prices in the nation.
“HB 1004 puts real teeth into the effort to hold nonprofit hospitals accountable for the 9th highest prices while having billions in cash reserves,” said Anderson. “This bill sends a clear message from the Indiana House of Representatives Leadership: Lowering prices is not optional—a demand on behalf of the Hoosiers they represent who can’t afford skyrocketing prices from hospitals who masquerade as nonprofits.”
Indiana’s Big Five Hospitals Face Major Price Cuts
The bill, authored by Representative Martin Carbaugh (R-Fort Wayne) and co-authored by Representatives Ben Smaltz (R-Auburn) and Julie McGuire (R-Indianapolis), would force major price adjustments in healthcare. In the Evansville area, Ascension St. Vincent would need to reduce prices by 40.5%, and Deaconess Health System would have to reduce prices by 23%.
“Nonprofit hospitals have enjoyed tax exemptions for years, yet many are charging more than triple what Medicare pays for the same services,” said Anderson. “HB 1004 forces these hospitals to decide—either behave as a nonprofit hospital by lowering your prices or lose the benefits of nonprofit status.”
Key Provisions of HB 1004
Nonprofit Status at Risk: Hospitals charging over 200% of Medicare rates will lose their nonprofit status.
Stricter Community Benefit Standards: Limits what hospitals can claim as community benefits to justify their tax exemptions.
Mandatory Transparency: Hospitals must disclose pricing data compared to Medicare rates and make unredacted Form 990 Schedule H publicly available.
Annual Audits: Nonprofit hospitals will face yearly audits by the Secretary of State to verify compliance.
“This bill is a wake-up call for Indiana hospitals: stop exploiting Hoosiers, or lose your nonprofit status. It’s that simple,” said Anderson.
USI to host third annual Be a Teacher Day
USI to host third annual Be a Teacher Day
The University of Southern Indiana Pott College of Science, Engineering, and Education is hosting its third annual Be a Teacher Day on Wednesday, February 12 on the USI campus. The event will highlight the importance of the profession of education, allow prospective students to meet current teaching professionals and teacher education students, as well as ask questions about the profession.
Be a Teacher Day will include a panel discussion with a superintendent, a principal, an elementary teacher, a first-year teacher, ESL teacher, and current teacher education students; a keynote presentation; a major matching event; a classroom experience; and a campus tour.
The first Be a Teacher Day, hosted in 2023, was a huge success, drawing more than 350 high school freshmen, sophomores, juniors and seniors from the Tri-state area. USI’s Teacher Education Department was thrilled with the outpouring of interest and is looking to provide prospective students with a unique, engaging experience. The event has inspired many similar events hosted throughout the state since.
“Be A Teacher Day is a vital event underscoring the commitment of the Teacher Education Department at USI to shaping the future of education,” says Dr. Tori Colson, Assistant Dean of the Pott College. “We take great pride in fostering a growing interest in the teaching profession across the Tri-state area.”
The keynote presentation this year will be given by Kim Strobel ’99 and a former teacher turned internationally known motivational speaker who inspires others to step into their power and live happier, less stressed lives. Drawing on positive psychology research, she teaches practical, science-backed strategies that help you achieve transformative results.
Strobel will also be presenting another keynote in the evening, The Science of Happiness, directed at current teacher education students and educators in the Tri-state area. The event will take place from 6 to 7:30 p.m. in the USI Performance Center and is free and open to the public.
USI’s Teacher Education program offers a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science through the following majors:
- Early Childhood Education
- Elementary Education
- Special Education
The teacher education minor in secondary/P-12 education may accompany any of the following majors to prepare discipline-specific teachers:
- English Teaching
- History Teaching
- Mathematics Teaching
- Science Teaching
- Earth/Space Science, Chemistry, Life Science, Physical Science, Physics
- World Languages and Cultures Teaching (P-12)
- Physical Education (P-12)
- Visual Arts Teaching (P-12)
Be a Teacher Day is made possible through generous support from the USI Foundation.
For more information and to register, visit the USI Teacher Education website. For questions, contact Elise Murray, Instructor in Education, at ecweatherh@usi.edu.
Mayor Terry Releases Strategic Plan for City Government
Evansville Mayor Stephanie Terry today announced the release of a forward-thinking Strategic Plan for city government, developed in collaboration with Crowe LLP and informed by input from city officials, employees, and nearly 800 residents.
The plan, described as a “guiding framework” for how city officials will continue to serve and support the Evansville community moving forward, aims to improve efficiency of government operations. Mayor Terry also noted that the plan will ensure transparency and accountability as city officials allocate resources, establish programs, and undertake new projects in alignment with the priorities outlined in the Strategic Plan.
“This Strategic Plan serves as both a roadmap and a management tool, helping to align our leaders, resources, and operations with our shared mission and vision,” Mayor Terry said. “At its core, the plan emphasizes efficient government operations, the strengthening of public services, and the commitment to making those services more accessible and responsive to all residents.”
Click here to download the entire plan.
Among the highlights of the plan are defined Mission and Vision statements for the city, as well as four core focus areas for city government, each of which includes multiple goals:
- Mission Statement: Our mission is to serve the people of Evansville. We provide essential services that keep our community safe, healthy, and vibrant.
- Vision Statement: Our city will be a vibrant, inclusive community where safety, opportunity, and connection empower all to thrive.
- Areas of Focus:
- Advance Organizational Excellence and Innovation
- Modernize the City Organizational Structure and Processes
- Update Outdated City Policies, Procedures & Regulations
- Implement the City’s Strategic Plan
- Modernize City Technologies
- Address Core Technology Needs
- Improve Public Transportation Experience
- Create Opportunities to Connect
- Promote Transparent Government
- Support Internal Collaboration Efforts
- Strengthen City Communication Channels
- Prioritize People and Places
- Recruit and Retain a Skilled City Workforce
- Create Opportunities to Further Skills, Knowledge, and Training
- Improve Facilities and Workspaces
- Improve Quality of Parks & Public Green Spaces
- Improve City Roads, Sidewalks, and Other Infrastructure
- Revitalize our Neighborhoods
- Further Sustainability Efforts
- Advance Organizational Excellence and Innovation
In the coming weeks, city officials – again working alongside Crowe LLP – will begin creating an implementation plan, which will include establishing performance metrics, establishing working groups, and developing implementation timelines.
CAIN HEADLINES THE JESUS MUSIC TOUR AT OLD NATIONAL EVENTS PLAZA
CAIN HEADLINES THE JESUS MUSIC TOUR AT OLD NATIONAL EVENTS PLAZA
TICKETS GO ON SALE THURSDAY, JANUARY 30, 2025, AT 11 AM.
Evansville, IN – January 23, 2025 – Awakening Events and Old National Events Plaza announce The Jesus Music Tour with CAIN, Katy Nichole, Ben Fuller, Caleb & John, and Joseph O’Brien will tour to Evansville on Thursday, May 1, 2025.
CAIN quickly became a household name since their debut single, the RIAA Gold® certified “Rise Up (Lazarus),” was released in early 2020. Raised in Hartselle, Alabama as pastor’s kids and now residing in Nashville, the sibling trio comprised of Madison Cain Johnson, Taylor Cain Matz, and Logan Cain, got their first break opening for Dave Barnes and Andrew Ripp at a show in 2012. Since then, the Sony Music/Provident Entertainment award-winning act has released four projects and shared the stage with artists such as TobyMac, Zach Williams, and Casting Crowns, while also performing on the famed stages of The Grand Ole Opry, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, and Ryman Auditorium.
In their career to date, they’ve won a K-LOVE Fan Award for Top Breakout Single “Rise Up (Lazarus)” and have been nominated for an American Music Award (AMA) and Billboard Music Award. CAIN also received multiple nods for the 2022 and 2023 GMA Dove Awards for Best New Artist, Pop/Contemporary Album and Best Recorded Music Packaging for Rise Up and Christmas/Special Event Album for Wonderful.
Get ready for a night packed with joy, music, and unforgettable moments at The Jesus Music Tour with CAIN, Katy Nichole, Ben Fuller, Caleb & John, and Joseph O’Brien! Fans will love singing their hearts out, dancing like nobody’s watching, and celebrating faith in the most fun and uplifting way. It’s going to be a night that leaves everyone smiling all the way home, so don’t wait to get tickets!
Vincennes University to host a Bilingual Spring Admissions and Financial Aid Night
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EVSC SCHOOL BOARD TO MEET MONDAY, JANUARY 27
The Board of School Trustees of the Evansville Vanderburgh School Corporation will meet for the regularly scheduled Board meeting Monday, January 27, 2025 at 5:30 PM in the Board Room of the EVSC Administration Building located at 951 Walnut Street, Evansville, IN. Board meetings can also be observed by tuning to EVSC’s radio station, 90.7 WPSR or live streamed online at https://www.wpsrhd.com/.
Prior to the regularly scheduled Board meeting, three members of the Board, along with district administrators, will hold a Town Hall beginning at 5:00 PM. This Town Hall is for Vanderburgh County residents to speak directly with Board members in attendance about issues involving EVSC schools. The Town Hall will be held in the Technology and Innovation Center located at 951 Walnut Street, Evansville, IN. Members of the public who would like to attend the Town Hall should register by completing the Town Hall Registration Form located on our website at district.evscschools.com.
EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT
FOOTNOTE: EPD DAILY ACTIVITY REPORT information was provided by the EPD and posted by the City-County-County Observer without opinion, bias, or editing.
Screaming Eagles sign defender Campos for 2025
Screaming Eagles sign defender Campos for 2025
EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Southern Indiana Women’s Soccer announced the signing of Paulina Campos to its 2025 class. Campos becomes the 11th student-athlete to sign ahead of the 2025 campaign.
Paulina Campos (Chula Vista, California) is a 5’3″ defender from Mater Dei Catholic High School in California. The speedy fullback scored a few goals in high school as a three-year varsity starter. Campos’ squad was a D1 CIF Soccer finalist. Campos’ high school team was the league’s all-academic team.
Campos plays club soccer for Rebels ECNL 07, which she has helped lead to a second-place finish in the league and led to the ECNL playoffs in Seattle for the first time. Campos was selected twice for Southern California’s player development program. Campos, the starting outside back for Rebel, was also named a 2024 ECNL player to watch.
“We are very excited to welcome Paulina to the USI Soccer family,” USI Women’s Soccer Head Coach Eric Schoenstein said. “Paulina is an extremely gifted outside back with great ball skills and a fierce competitor who can play touchline to touchline. She brings a great deal of pace and energy to the backline.”
USI Women’s Soccer heads into 2025 after being a quarterfinalist in the Ohio Valley Conference tournament for a second consecutive season in 2024. The 2025 schedule will be released at a later date.