>>> "INDIANA NEWSDESK" IT MADE POSSIBLE IN PART BY: >>> COMING UP ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," A MASS SHOOTING AT AN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN TEXAS HAS DEMOCRATS CALLING FOR GUN REFORM, BUT EXPERTS DONE EXPECT MUCH TO CHANGE HERE IN INDIANA.

>> NO AMOUNT OF DEATH, I THINK, WILL MOVE THEM FROM THAT CURRENT POSITION.

IF THIS DOES NOT DO IT, IF NEWTOWN DIDN'T DO IT, IF PARKLAND DOESN'T DO IT, THEN WHAT DOES IT?

>> INDIANA'S GOVERNOR SAYS THE FOCUS SHOULD BE ON HARDENING SCHOOLS.

>>> A LEAKED SUPREME COURT DRAFT HAS ABORTION RIGHTS ADVOCATES CONCERNED ABOUT THE FUTURE IN INDIANA.

>> PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE TRANSPORTATION OR TIME OFF WORK, THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE MOST AFFECTED NOW, AND ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE.

>>> AND A NEW STUDY ON HEALTHCARE COSTS SHOWS INDIANA IS ONE OF THE MOST EXPENSIVE STATES IN THE NATION.

THOSE STORIES, PLUS LATEST NEWS HEADLINES, RIGHT NOW ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

♪ >>> WELCOME TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

I'M PERRY METZ, IN FOR THE VACATIONING JOE HREN.

THIS WEEK'S SHOOTING AT A TEXAS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL KILLED 19 CHILDREN AND TWO TEACHERS.

IT IS ONCE AGAIN SPARKED A NATIONAL DEBATE ON GUN LAWS BUT AS HOLDEN ABSHIER REPORTS, LITTLE CHANGE IS EXPECTED.

>> FOLLOWING THE DEADLY SHOOTING TUESDAY, TWO BACKGROUND CHECK BILLS WERE HEARD FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE U.S. SENATE.

THE BILL PASSED THE DEMOCRATIC-LED HOUSE LAST YEAR, BUT I.U.

LAW PROFESSOR, JODY MA DAREA.MADERA EXPECTS THEM TO FAIL IN THE SENATE.

THE SENATE IS SPLIT 50/50 BETWEEN THE TWO PARTIES.

SHE SAYS WHEN DEMOCRATS CALL TORE GUN REFORMS, RECOMMEND CANS RESPOND WITH THOUGHTS AND PRAYERS AND MENTAL HEALTH.

>> NO AMOUNT OF DEATH, I THINK, WILL MOVE THEM FROM THAT CURRENT POSITION.

IF THIS DOES NOT DO IT, IF NEWTOWN DIDN'T DO IT, IF PARKLAND DOESN'T DO IT, THEN WHAT DOES IT?

>> MADERA SAYS LAWMAKERS ARE AFRAID OF WELL-FUNDED GUN RIGHTS ORGANIZATIONS SUCH AS THE NATIONAL RIFLE ASSOCIATION.

THEY WORRY THAT IF THEY DON'T TOE THE PARTY LINE, THEY WILL LOSE VOTES AND WON'T GET THE A RATING.

>> EVEN THOUGH BACKGROUND CHECKS SHOULD BE BIPARTISAN, YOU KNOW, UNFORTUNATELY, SUCH MEASURES ARE STILL VIEWED AS POLITICAL AND THEREFORE CONTROVERSIAL.

>> TODD YOUNG AND MIKE BRAUN BOTH ISSUED STATEMENTS EXPRESSING SADNESS OVER THE SHOOTING.

THEY ALSO POINTED TO THE STATE'S RED FLAG LAWS THAT ARE DESIGNED TO KEEP GUNS OUT OF THE HANDS OF CRIMINALS.

IN HIS STATEMENT, YOUNG SAID, WE MUST WORK TOGETHER AS A NATION TO ADDRESS THE INCREASING SOCIAL ALIENATION AND MENTAL HEALTH CHALLENGES AFFECTING TOO MANY AMERICANS.

BRADY UNITED IS A NONPROFIT ANTIGUN ORGANIZATION.

IT REPORTS THAT YOUNG HAS RECEIVED $2.9 MILLION IN DONATIONS FROM THE N.R.A.

BRAUN HAS RECEIVED $1.2 MILLION.

INDIANA GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB SAYS THE STATE WILL CONTINUE TO SUPPORT SCHOOL SECURITY.

>> I THINK THAT WE NEED TO FOCUS ON MAKING SURE, IN THIS CASE, SCHOOLS MAINTAIN THEIR INTEGRITY.

YOU MIGHT CALL HARDENING THEM WHEN CHILDREN ARE IN THE CLASSROOMS.

THAT'S WHAT WE NEED TO FOCUS ON.

>> BUT HOLCOMB ADVOCATED AGAINST NEW GUN REGULATIONS OR HALTING THE NEW LAW THAT TAKES EFFECT JULY 1st.

HOLCOMB SAYS FOCUSING ON ANYTHING OUTSIDE OF SECURING SCHOOLS IS, QUOTE, TAKING OUR HIGHEYE OFF THE PROBLEM.

>> FOLKS WHO ARE STRUGGLING WITH MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, VIOLENT MENTAL HEALTH ISSUES, EVIL THAT LURKS, WHETHER IT'S IN A SCHOOL OR PLAY GROUND, PARKING LOT, YOU NAME IT, THIS IS THE WORLD WE LIVE IN.

>> PAUL HELMKE IS A FORMER PRESIDENT OF THE BRADY CAMPAIGN TO PREVENT GUN VIOLENCE AND A THREE-TERM MAYOR OF FORT WAYNE.

HEHE SAYS IT'S TIME FOR OFFICIALS TO ACT.

>> I'M TIRED OF ELECTEDS SAYING, I SUPPORT THE SEND SECOND AMENDMENT.

STOP SAYING YOU SUPPORT THE SECOND AMENDMENT.

STOP SAYING YOUR HEARTS AND PRAYERS ARE OUT THERE.

DO SOMETHING!

>> FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M HOLDEN ABSHIER.

>>> THE DEATHS IN UVALDE, TEXAS, REPRESENT THE DEADLIEST SCHOOL SHOOTING SINCE 20 FIRST GRADERS AND SIX TEACHERS WERE KILLED AT SANDY HOOK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL IN 2012.

>>> INDIANA ABORTION PROVIDERS WERE SENT SCRAMBLING EARLIER THIS MONTH AFTER A LEAKED SUPREME COURT DRAFT SUGGESTED THAT ROE vs. WADE COULD BE OVERTURNED.

MITCH LEGAN IS IN BLOOMINGTON AND HAS MORE ON HOW HOOSIERS WOULD BE AFFECTED IF THE LANDMARK DECISION IS REVERSED.

>> ALMOST 1.5 MILLION INDIANA WOMEN COULD LOSE REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS IF ROE vs. WADE IS OVERTURNED.

MOST WOULDN'T BE ABLE TO ACCESS ABORTION SERVICES HERE OR ANY OF THE OTHER STATE APPROVED ABORTION LOCATIONS.

THAT'S BECAUSE THE REPUBLICANS ARE EXPECTED TO INCREASE THE ABORTION RESTRICTIONS AS SOON AS THEY ARE ABLE.

AND NOW ABORTION ADVOCATES ARE TRYING TO PLAN FOR UNCERTAIN FUTURE.

>> WEDNESDAYS ARE JUST MARCHBANK'S BUSY DAY.

>> EVERYBODY GETS WET WIPES.

>> PACKING DIAPER BAGS IS PART OF HER ROLE AS STATE PROGRAMS MANAGER FOR ALL OPTIONS PREGNANCY CENTER IN BLOOMINGTON.

SHE CALLS IT A REPRODUCTIVE JUSTICE CENTER FOR THE AREA.

HELPING WOMEN WITH ALL OPTIONS THROUGH THE PREGNANCY PROCESS.

>> I MIGHT BE HANDING DIAPERS AND WIPES OUT THE BACK DOOR, AND THEN ANSWERING EMAILS AND TEXTS FROM PEOPLE WHO ARE SEEKING ABORTION FUNDING.

AND I'M CURRENTLY FIELDING 60 TO 75 A WEEK FOR PEOPLE TO RECEIVE ABORTION CARE.

>> HER CENTER DOESN'T PROVIDE ABORTIONS, JUST CONNECTS PEOPLE WITH RESOURCES.

AND SHE'S SPENDING A LOT OF TIME ON THE PHONE NOW SINCE THE SUPREME COURT LEAK SUGGESTED ABORTION REGULATIONS COULD BE SENT BACK TO THE STATES.

>> WE HAVE SEEN A SPIKE IN ANXIETY.

>> SHE KNOWS REPUBLICAN LEGISLATORS HAVE PROMISED TO RESTRICT ABORTION IF PROGRAM PRO -- IF FEDERAL PROTECTIONS ARE LIFTED.

>> IF ROE IS OVERTURNED, THE SAME PEOPLE ARE GOING TO BE STRUGGLING THE SAME WAY THAT THEY ARE NOW, MAYBE A LITTLE BIT HARDER.

>> PLANNED PARENTHOOD CHARACTERIZES INDIANA AS A STATE HOSTILE TO PORTION.

THE STATE ALLOWS ABORTIONS THROUGH 22 WEEKS BUT REGULATIONS ENSURE THEY ALMOST ALL HAPPEN IN THE FIRST 13.

THERE ARE SEVEN APPROVED ABORTION CENTERS, MOST OF WHICH ARE IN THE NORTHERN HALF OF THE STATE.

AND STATE LAW REQUIRES TWO SEPARATE VISITS FOR AN ABORTION.

>> AND THEN ON TOP OF THOSE BARRIERS, THEY ARE LOOKING AT 5 TO $900.

>> WOMEN DESERVE BETTER!

>> WHAT DO WE DO?

>> THE REPRODUCTIVE RIGHTS UNDER THREAT, ADVOCATES HAVE BEEN TAKING TO THE STATE HOUSE TO SHOW SUPPORT AND ENCOURAGE LEGISLATORS NOT TO STRENGTHEN RESTRICTIONS.

>> PEOPLE WHO ARE ABLE TO CARRY A PREGNANCY SHOULD BE ABLE TO TERMINATE THAT PREGNANCY FOR ANY REASON OR NO REASON AT ALL, SIMPLY THAT THEY DON'T WANT TO BE PREGNANT AND POLITICS DOESN'T BELONG IN SOMETHING THAT'S SO DEEPLY PERSONAL.

>> 110 REPUBLICAN LAWMAKERS SIGNED A LETTER ASKING THE GOVERNOR TO CALL A SPECIAL SESSION IF THE COURT WERE EVER TO OVERTURN ROE.

BOTH SPEAKER OF THE HOUSE TODD HOUSTON AND SENATE PRESIDENT ROD BRAY DECLINED INTERVIEW REQUESTS TO DETERMINE WHAT RESTRICTIONS WOULD LOOK LIKE, BUT THEY ISSUED STATEMENTS SAYING THEY WOULD WAIT TO SEE HOW FAR THE SUPREME COURT WENT.

>> RIGHT NOW, ALL OPTIONS ARE ON THE TABLE.

AND I WILL WAIT UNTIL I SEE A FINAL DECISION, NOT A LEAKED DRAFT.

>> AT LEAST 26 STATES ARE EXPECTED TO RESTRICT ABORTION IF ROE IS OVERTURNED, INCLUDING MOST IN THE MIDWEST.

IF INDIANA IS ONE OF THEM, HOOSIERS WILL LIKELY HEAD TO ILLINOIS.

>> WE HAVE BEEN SEEING THIS FOR A FEW YEARS.

IT HAS BEEN INCREASING IN RECENT MONTHS, AND WE DEFINITELY EXPECT IT TO RAPIDLY INCREASE ONCE THE SUPREME COURT OVERTURNED ROE.

>> THE STATE MADE ABORTION A FUNDAMENTAL RIGHT FOR WOMEN IN 2019, BUT OFFICIALS AT PLANNED PARENTHOOD THERE HAVE BEEN PREPARING FOR A POST-ROE WORLD.

THEY ARE EXPECTING ANYWHERE FROM TWO TO FIVE TIMES THE NUMBER OF PATIENTS THEY ARE CURRENTLY SEEING.

SO THEY OPEN TWO OF THEIR NEWEST ABORTION CLINICS ON THE WISCONSIN AND INDIANA BORDERS.

>> THEY ARE MADE NOT JUST MEETING A NEED HERE IN ILLINOIS BUT ANTICIPATING A FUTURE WHERE PEOPLE FROM OTHER STATES ARE GOING TO NEED US MORE AND MORE.

>> THERE ARE ROUGHLY 7300 ABORTIONS IN INDIANA IN 2020.

ADVOCATES SAY THOSE WOMEN WILL LEAVE THE STATE IF THEY CAN, OR RESORT TO UNSAFE METHODS THAT PUT MOTHER AT RISK.

MARCHBANKS SAYS A REVERSAL OF ROE WOULD BE DAMAGING TO MANY HOOSIERS BUT HER JOB WON'T CHANGE MUCH.

SHE WILL SHIFT MORE RESOURCES TO CONNECTING WOMEN WITH ABORTION FUNDS THAT WOULD HELP THEM TRAVEL OUT OF STATE AND PAY FOR THEIR PROCEDURES.

>> THE MOST MARGINALIZED POPULATIONS WHO ARE ALREADY STRUGGLING TO ACCESS CARE, PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE $500 OF DISPOSABLE FUNDS, PEOPLE WHO DON'T HAVE TRANSPORTATION OR TIME OFF WORK, THOSE ARE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE MOST AFFECTED NOW, AND ARE GOING TO CONTINUE TO BE.

>> SOME ABORTION ADVOCATES ARE SAYING IF REPUBLICANS DON'T GO THROUGH WITH THEIR PLAN TO RESTRICT ABORTION HERE IN INDIANA, THEY SHOULD BE WILLING TO PAY MORE FOR SOCIAL SERVICES FOR YOUNG WOMEN AND CHILDREN.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M MITCH LEGAN.

>>> THE SUPREME COURT RULING THAT COULD OVERTURN ROE vs. WADE IS EXPECTED SOMETIME NEXT MONTH.

>>> LAWMAKERS VOTED TUESDAY TO OVERRIDE THE GOVERNOR'S VETO OF A BILL TO BAN TRANSGENDER GIRLS FROM GIRL SCHOOL SPORTS.

INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING'S LAHRLAUREN CHAPMAN REPORTS THE ACLU OF INDIANA HAS ALREADY FILED A LAWSUIT.

>> THE VOTES IN BOTH CHAMBERS TO OVERRIDE THE GOVERNOR'S VETO WERE BASICALLY IDENTICAL TO THE VOTES TO PASS THE BILL DURING SESSION.

HOUSE SPEAKER TODD HOUSTON SAID BEFORE THE OVERRIDE VOTES IN BOTH CHAMBERS, THE BILL IS GOOD POLICY IN INDIANA.

>> PROTECTING GIRL SPORTS, THAT'S WHAT OUR FOCUS OF THE BILL IS, AND, AGAIN, WE FEEL GOOD.

THE ATTORNEY GENERAL, I UNDERSTAND, FEELS GOOD ABOUT DEFENDING THIS IF THERE IS COURT ACTION.

WE BELIEVE IT'S THE RIGHT POLICY FOR INDIANA.

>> IMMEDIATELY FOLLOWING THE VOTE TO OVERTURN THE VETO, THE ACLU OF INDIANA FILED A LAWSUIT.

KATIE BLAIR IS THE DIRECTOR OF ADVOCACY AND PUBLIC POLICY AND SAID THE LEGISLATION WAS UNCONSTITUTIONAL AND HATEFUL.

>> WE'RE GOING TO DO WHATEVER IT TAKES TO PROTECT TRANS CHILDREN AND MAKE SURE THAT THEY KNOW THAT THEY ARE LOVED AND BELONG IN THE STATE OF INDIANA.

>> SENATE PRESIDENT PRO TEM, RODRIC BRAY SAID THE STATE WAS PREPARED FOR LAWSUITS AGAINST THE BILL.

>> WE DON'T LIKE TO GET THE STATE OF INDIANA SUED BUT IT HAPPENS FROM TIME TO TIME, AND IT'S A POLICY THAT I THINK WE CAN STAND BEHIND.

>> GOVERNOR ERIC HOLCOMB SAID HE DID NOT ADVOCATE FOR LETTING THE VETO STAND, CALLING THE EFFORT FRUITLESS IN RESPONSE TO REPUBLICAN BACKLASH.

HE SAID THE BILL DOESN'T SOLVE A REAL PROBLEM IN INDIANA.

>> THE IHSAA HAS BEEN VERY CLEAR AND EFFECTIVE IN MAKING SURE GIRLS/WOMEN'S SPORTS IN THE STATE OF INDIANA, THAT COMPETITION AND THAT INTEGRITY IS NOT THREATENED.

>> FOR INDIANA PUBLIC BROADCASTING, I'M LAUREN CHAPMAN.

>> BARRING A COURT RULING FROM THE ACLU'S LAWSUIT, THE BILL WILL TAKE EFFECT JULY 1st.

>>> COMING UP NEXT ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK," WE TALK WITH AN I.U.

PROFESSOR IN UKRAINE WHO IS STUDYING THE REFUGEE CRISIS SPURRED BY RUSSIA'S INVASION.

AND HEALTHCARE COSTS IN INDIANA ARE AMONG THE HIGHEST IN THE NATION.

ONE PHYSICIAN IS URGING THE STATE TO DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT.

THESE STORIES AND MORE, RIGHT HERE ON "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

>>> WELCOME BACK TO "INDIANA NEWSDESK."

AS THE WAR IN UKRAINE ENTERS ITS THIRD MONTH, AN INDIANA UNIVERSITY PROFESSOR IS TRAVELING BACK TO THE AREA TO CONTINUE HER RESEARCH.

ELIZABETH CUP IS DUNN IS DIRECTOR OF THE I. U. CREPTOR FOR REFUGEE STUDIES AND STUDYING THE HUMANITARIAN AID RESPONSE WHERE AN ESTIMATED 15 MILLION UKRAINIANS HAVE BEEN DISPLACED BY THE WAR.

MITCH LEGAN TALKED WITH HER OVER ZOOM TO DISCUSS LATEST ON THE GROUND IN UKRAINE.

>> CAN YOU SET THE SCENE FOR ME, WHAT IT'S LIKE?

I CAN'T EVEN IMAGINE?

WHAT IS DAY-TO-DAY LIFE FOR YOU LIKE?

>> I'M OUTSIDE OF POLAND AND I HAVE BEEN WORKING HERE ON THE POLISH UKRAINIAN BORDER.

PEOPLE ARE PASSING THROUGH THE BORDER POINT AT MEDICA WHICH IS MARRAKESH.

IT'S BEING IN A MOROCCAN MOROCCAN B AZAAR.

A LOT OF PEOPLE FEEL THEY NEED TO GET BACK.

THEY NEED TO SUPPORT THEIR HUSBANDS WHO ARE FIGHTING BECAUSE MEN AGES 18 TO 65 ARE NOT ALLOWED TO LEAVE.

SO PEOPLE ARE GOING BACK.

THEY ARE TRYING TO SUPPORT THE WAR EFFORT INSIDE UKRAINE.

>> ARE PEOPLE STARTING TO CAM BACK INTO UKRAINE?

IS THAT WHERE THE AID RESPONSE IS?

>> IT'S GONE INTO THE CITY OF LEVIV, WHICH IS NEVER OCCUPIED BY RUSSIAN MILITARY.

THAT'S NOW THE CENTER OF AID AND WE WILL BE FOLLOWING THE INTERNATIONAL AID AGENCIES IN.

THE INTERNATIONAL AGENCIES TOOK A GOOD MONTH OR SIX WEEKS TO GET GOING WHICH WAS TOO LATE FOR THE INITIAL RESPONSE BECAUSE MILLIONS OF PEOPLE CAME OUT BEFORE THEN.

BUT THEY ARE NOW UP AND RUNNING AND CENTERED IN LEVIV.

SO WE WILL LOOK AT HOW THEY ARE HELPING PEOPLE INTERNALLY DISPLACED INSIDE UKRAINE, AND THEN WE'LL BE GOING TO THE CAPITAL KYIV, ESPECIALLY TO INTERVIEW PEOPLE AT THE KYIV SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS AND THIS IS A GROUP OF ACADEMICS WHO HAVE RAISED $30 MILLION FOR EMERGENCY NEEDS, PARTICULARLY FOR THE TERRITORIAL DEFENSE, AND FOR JUST GENERAL HOUSEHOLD NEEDS FOR PEOPLE IN THE CITY OF KYIV, WHICH WAS OCCUPIED BY RUSSIAN SOLDIERS.

AND THE RUSSIANS WERE EVENTUALLY PUSHED OUT OF KYIV BY EVERYDAY PEOPLE, WHO HAD SIGNED UP FOR THE TERRITORIAL DEFENSE.

SO IT'S KIND OF A MIRACLE STORY AND WE WILL BE TALKING TO THE PEOPLE AT THE KYIV SCHOOL OF ECONOMICS WHO RAISED MILLIONS AND MILLIONS OF DOLLARS TO DO THIS.

>> HOW IS THE EUROPEAN REFUGEE, MAYBE INTERNATIONAL REFUGEE NETWORK?

HOW HAS IT -- YOU STUDY THIS, HOW WOULD YOU SAY IT HAS DONE HANDLING THIS INCREDIBLE INFLUX OF DISPLACED PEOPLE?

>> I THINK THAT THE INTERNATIONAL AID COMMUNITY HAS DONE VERY LITTLE, FRANKLY TO HELP THIS ENORMOUS REFUGEE MOVEMENT, THE BIGGEST SINCE THE END OF WORLD WAR II.

THE BULK OF THE WORK HERE HAS BEEN DONE BY LOCAL POLISH PEOPLE, POLISH VOLUNTEERS, WITH SOME AID FROM THE POLISH GOVERNMENT, PARTICULARLY GOVERNMENT AT THE LOCAL LEVEL AND AT THE -- AT WHAT WOULD BE LIKE THE STATE LEVEL FOR US.

>> A LOT OF OUR VIEWERS WILL OBVIOUSLY BE FAMILIAR WITH THE INFLUX OF AFGHAN EVACUEES THAT WE GOT.

IS THERE ANY COMPARISON FOR THESE TWO EVENTS?

>> YEAH, I THINK OF COURSE, THE AFGHANS ACTUALLY EXPERIENCED A LOT LESS TRAUMA THAN THE UKRAINIANS, BECAUSE THEY HAD TO LEAVE SO SUDDENLY AND SO FAST.

WHERE THE UKRAINIANS, MANY OF THEM SPENT MONTHS INSIDE UKRAINE, EXPERIENCING THE WAR BEFORE THEY COULD GET OUT OF TERRITORY THAT HAD BEEN OCCUPIED BY THE RUSSIANS.

BUT THE SIMILARITY IS THE OPEN HEARTS AND THE OPEN HANDS OF NEIGHBORS AND FRIENDS, AND, YOU KNOW, I'M HERE -- I SPENT TODAY IN POLAND WHICH IS A TOWN I HAVE BEEN WORKING IN FOR 30 YEARS.

AND WHAT I SAW WAS THE SAME THING I SAW IN BLOOMINGTON.

I SAW EVERYDAY PEOPLE WHO LITERALLY JUST OPENED THEIR DOORS, GAVE THEIR SPARE BEDROOMS, GAVE PEOPLE CLOTHES AND FOOD AND A WARM WELCOME, AND THEY DIDN'T TREAT THEM LIKE THE BENEFICIARIES OF CHARITY.

THEY TREATED THEM LIKE NEIGHBORS.

>> YOU CAN VIEW MITCH LEGAN'S ENTIRE CONVERSATION WITH ELIZABETH DUNN ON OUR WEBSITE AT WTIUNEWS.ORG.

>>> PRELIMINARY DATA FROM A NONPARTISAN STUDY REVEALS A TROUBLING BUT FAMILIAR TREND IN INDIANA HEALTHCARE.

IT'S AMONG THE MOST EXPENSIVE IN THE COUNTRY.

BUT THE NEWEST DATA REVEALED AN EVEN MORE SURPRISING TREND.

BROCK TURNER REPORTS.

>> FOR CANCER PATIENTS IN FORT WAYNE, THIS DOCTOR PROVIDES A GLIMMER OF HOPE.

SHE'S AN ONCOLOGIST AND PART OF A GROUP OF INDEPENDENT PHYSICIANS.

SHE SAYS DO YOUR RESEARCH.

>> I MANY PATIENTS ARE ELDERLY, TIRED, BEATEN UP BY THEIR CANCER PATIENTS.

HOW DARE I TELL MY PATIENT, LOOK AT YOUR BILL!

LOOK AT WHAT IT COSTS YOU!

I HAVE THE NUMBERS GONE UP DRASTICALLY.

ASK THE QUESTION WHY.

ASK FOR THE BILL BREAKDOWN.

HOW CAN I EVEN SAY THAT?

SO WHAT AM I SUPPOSE TO ADVISE, I DON'T KNOW, I'M ONLY LOOKING INSIDE AT THE UGLINESS.

>> AGOERWAL DOESN'T BELIEVE THEY CAN REDUCE HEALTHCARE COSTS WITHOUT SIGNIFICANT REFORM.

>> THE HEALTHCARE INDUSTRY IS DISEASED IN AMERICA.

AND THAT'S THE PROBLEM.

WE ARE PUTTING BIG BAND-AIDS AND THROWING A LOT OF MONEY AFTER A DISEASED SYSTEM.

THE WHOLE SYSTEM IS SICK.

>> THE DIAGNOSIS LARGELY DEPENDS ON WHO YOU ASK.

ALMOST EVERYONE INTERVIEWED AGREED THE PROBLEMS ARE COMPLICATED ANIMALLY AND MULTIFACETED.

THEY ARE ASKING THEM TO FIND MORE MARKET SOLUTIONS.

THIS COMES ON THE HEELS OF HOUSE AND SENATE LEADERSHIP ASKING THEM TO FIND SOLUTIONS TO THE HIGH PRICES.

>> IT'S IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT THE RESULTS OF THE RAND STUDY ARE PRICES THAT HAVE BEEN, I WOULD SAY NEGOTIATED, BUT IN SOME CASES DICTATED BY THE LARGEST INSURANCE COMPANIES.

>> INSURANCE COMPANIES PLACE SOME OF THAT BLAME BACK ON HOSPITALS, THOUGH.

>> THE TREND CONTINUE, DOESN'T IT?

THEY HAVE DONE NUMEROUS STUDIES AND THIS IS THE RAND BUT YOU'VE GOT OTHER STUDIES THAT HAVE BEEN CITED THAT HAVE CONSISTENTLY SHOWN INDIANA HOSPITALS ARE SOME OF THE MOST, IF NOT THE MOST EXPENSIVE IN THE COUNTRY.

>> WOOD IS REFERRING TO THE A FOURTH ITERATION AT A LOOK AT HOW HOSPITALS CHARGE PRIVATE PROCEDURES.

PRIVATE RATES ARE NEGOTIATED AND OFTEN HIGHER AND IN SOME CASES A LOT HIGHER.

GLORIA SACTEV SAYS THAT'S ONLY PART OF THE PROBLEM HERE, HOWEVER.

>> WE'RE FOURTH HIGHEST IN THE COUNTRY FOR HOSPITAL PRICES, AND FOURTH LOWEST IN THE COUNTRY FOR PHYSICIAN PAYMENTS.

SO WE REALLY HAVE TWO PROBLEMS.

>> ACCORDING TO STUDY AUTHORS IT'S BEEN THAT WAY FOR A LONG TIME.

>> SO IN SEVERAL ROUNDS, WE FOUND THAT PRICES IN INDIANA ARE HIGHER THAN BOTH THE NATIONAL AVERAGE AND HIGHER THAN THE NEIGHBORING STATES.

>> THE SAME PRELIMINARY DATA FROM RAND, A NONPARTISAN, NONPROFIT THINK TANK THAT COMPARED PROCEDURE COSTS ACROSS STATE LINES FOUND INDIANA PHYSICIANS MAKE UP COMPARATIVE LESS THAN OTHER STATES.

THE INDIANA HOSPITAL ASSOCIATION DOESN'T BELIEVE THAT OR OTHER ISSUES ARE BECAUSE OF A LACK OF COMPETITION.

>> IT'S A REALLY COMPETITIVE MARK HERE AND THAT'S TRUE OF OTHER MARKETS IN THE STATE AS WELL.

BUT WE DO HAVE A VERY LARGE INSURER THAT IS THE DOMINANT PLAYER, ANTHEM.

>> BUT THE STUDY AUTHOR CHRIS WAYLY IS NOT CONVINCED.

>> SO WE KNOW THAT MANY HOSPITAL AND OTHER PROVIDER MARKETS IN THE STATE OF INDIANA ARE RELATIVELY CONCENTRATED AND DOMINATED BY LARGE SYSTEMS RELATIVE TO WHERE WE SEE ELSEWHERE IN THE COUNTRY.

>> SO IT'S A LACK OF COMPETITION AMONG THE ACTUAL HOSPITAL SYSTEMS THEMSELVES.

>> THAT'S CERTAINLY ONE CONTRIBUTING FACTOR.

>> THE PHYSICIAN'S SHARE OF THOSE HIGH PRICES IS LOWER THAN IN OTHER STATES, ACCORDING TO DATA FROM THE AMERICAN MEDICAL ASSOCIATION, THE NATIONAL SHARE OF INDEPENDENT PHYSICIANS DECLINED 5 PERCENTAGE POINTS IN 2020, THE LARGEST DROP EVER AND THE FIRST TIME IT'S BELOW 50% SINCE THE SURVEY BEGAN IN 2012.

BACK IN FORT WAYNE, DR. AGERWAL HAS NO PLANS TO STOP FIGHTING.

SHE'S RALLYING OTHER PHYSICIANS TO GET TO GO.

WHILE SHE ADMITS THE ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS TO RUN THEY ARE PRACTICE, SHE HAS NO MANS TO SHUT HER DOORS.

WHILE MANY STOP DOING HOSPITAL ROUNDS, AGERWAL DOES THEM NOW BECAUSE IT GIVES HER TIME WITH THE PEOPLE WHO NEED HER THE MOST.

>> HAS THE HUMAN BODY CHANGED IN 50 YEARS?

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?

I DON'T KNOW.

WE'RE A CAPITALISTIC COUNTRY, WE'LL MAKE MONEY OFF ANYTHING, EVEN HUMAN BEINGS.

>> THE KINZIE INSTITUTE WANTS TO BRING EDUCATION TO RURAL HIGH HIGH SCHOOLS.

THAT'S BECAUSE 27% OF HOOSIERS UNDER 18 HAVE EXPERIENCED AT LEAST TWO ADVERSE CHILD EXPERIENCES.

KAYAN TARA HAS THIS REPORT.

ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES MAY BE EMOTIONAL, PHYSICAL, OR SEXUAL ABUSE, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE OR LIVING IN A HOUSEHOLD WITH A MEMBER WHO HAS SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER, MENTAL HEALTH DISORDERS OR BEEN INCARCERATED.

MORE THAN 47% OF HOOSIER YOUTH HAVE EXPERIENCED AT LEAST ONE OF THESE CONDITIONS, YET MOST HEALTHY RELATIONSHIP PROGRAMS, CLASSES AND INITIATIVES DON'T BEGIN UNTIL HIGH SCHOOL OR COLLEGE.

>> THE YOUNGER KIDS THAT RECEIVE EDUCATION ON CONSENT BOUNDARIES, INTERPERSONAL RELATIONSHIP HEALTH, THE MORE HEALTHY THEIR RELATIONSHIPS WILL BE LONG TERM.

>> THE HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS INSTITUTE WORKS WITH SCHOOL LEADERS AND COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS IN RURAL INDIANA TO TRAIN ADULTS AND EDUCATE SCHOOL CHILDREN.

THE INITIATIVE FOCUSES ON DIGITAL SAFETY, INTERPERSONAL BOUNDARIES AND HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS.

>> THE MORE THAT WE ARE ABLE TO HAVE THE TOOLS AND THE SKILLS TO BE ABLE TO RELATE WITH ONE ANOTHER, IN A MANNER THAT'S POSITIVE, MUTUALLY SUPPORTIVE, I THINK THOSE ARE NATURAL PREVENTATIVE MEASURES.

>> I.U.

STUDIES HAVE FOUND THAT CHILDREN IN RURAL COMMUNITIES ARE MORE LIKELY TO EXPERIENCE, ABUSE, NEGLECT AND OTHER MALTREATMENT.

INDIANA RANKS 38th IN TERMS OF PARENT'S KNOWLEDGES OF ADVERSE CHILDHOOD EXPERIENCES AND THEIR CONSEQUENCES.

CONSEQUENCES.

MEGAN LaRUE SHE SAYS SHE BELIEVES THAT BECAUSE THEY ARE EXCITED AND ENGAGED, PROVES IT'S NECESSARY TO HAVE THE CONVERSATIONS AT THIS AGE.

THE HEALTHY BOUNDARIES AND SAFETY ONLINE AND AT HOME ARE VITAL.

>> THE KIDS ARE RESILIENT, BUT THEY ARE LITTLE SPONGES.

THEY PICK UP ON ALL THE THINGS THEY SEE.

I THINK JUST HAVING THOSE CONVERSATIONS AND BRINGING IT INTO THEIR AWARENESS EARLIER RATHER THAN LATER, IS GOING TO HAVE LONG-TERM LASTING EFFECTS.

>> THE INITIATIVE BEGAN IN THE FALL OF 2019.

LEHMAN SAYS THEY HOPE TO DELIVER MORE TRAINING FOR SCHOOL PERSONNEL AND WORKSHOPS FOR PARENTS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS, IN ORDER TO IMPLEMENT THESE PROGRAMS.

FOR "INDIANA NEWSDESK," I'M KAYAN TARA.

>> THAT'S THE END OF THIS PROGRAM, BUT OUR WORK CONTINUES ONLINE AS WE COVER THE NEWS THROUGHOUT THE WEEK AT WTIUNEWS.ORG.

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND.

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