Ben Thorp

Indianapolis

General Assignment Reporter at WFYI-TV (Indianapolis, IN)

Health reporter with @wfyi @sideeffectsnews Occasional podcaster and essayist @originstory_ @EschatologyPod @TNSFzine @unwinnable @The_Rumpus

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Articles

New Ohio moms see slight improvement to mental health care, but Medicaid cuts could reverse that

3 days ago | wyso.org | Ben Thorp

States across the country improved policies and support for maternal mental health — but only slightly. Ohio saw its grade increase from a D to a C. The country's overall grade increased from a D+ to a C- this year, according to a new report. Only Alabama and Mississippi are still receiving failing grades.
More than 10% of Ohio babies are being admitted to NICUs, according to CDC data brief

3 days ago | wyso.org | Ben Thorp

More babies are being admitted to neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) across the country, according to a data brief from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The brief analyzed NICU admissions data between 2016 and 2023. Infants may be admitted to the NICU for a variety of reasons, including being born early, underweight, having birth defects, infections or heart or respiratory issues.
New moms see slight improvement to mental health care, but Medicaid cuts could reverse that

4 days ago | kosu.org | Ben Thorp

States across the country improved policies and support for maternal mental health — but only slightly. The country's overall grade increased from a D+ to a C- this year, according to a new report. Only Alabama and Mississippi are still receiving failing grades.
Officials say Indiana is bird flu free, but that doesn’t mean the virus is gone

4 days ago | wfyi.org | Benjamin Thorp |Ben Thorp

June 2, 2025 Indiana officials say the state is declaring freedom from the Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), or bird flu. A HPAI-free status means a state or region has eliminated disease on all affected farms and no new infections are detected in a subsequent 28-day waiting period, according to the World Organization of Animal Health.
A million people in the Midwest could lose Medicaid under federal work requirements

5 days ago | iowapublicradio.org | Ben Thorp

Up to 1 million low income and disabled people across the Midwest could lose their Medicaid health insurance coverage, according to a new analysis. That's because federal lawmakers are considering adding Medicaid work requirements, which means people would have to prove they work, volunteer, or go to school in order to receive health insurance.
Indianapolis’ RecyleForce at forefront of U.S. Department of Energy program to recycle rare earth minerals

1 week ago | wfyi.org | Benjamin Thorp |Ben Thorp

May 30, 2025 The U.S. Department of Energy is testing out a new way to recycle rare earth minerals from consumer electronics in Indianapolis. RecycleForce is the first test site in the country for a recycling method experts hope will be able to reduce U.S. reliance on foreign materials. Currently, the rare earth minerals found in hard drives, cell phones and other consumer electronics don’t get recycled, often ending up in landfills.
A million people in the Midwest could lose Medicaid under federal work requirements

1 week ago | lpm.org | Ben Thorp

Up to 1 million low income and disabled people across the Midwest could lose their Medicaid health insurance coverage, according to a new analysis. That's because federal lawmakers are considering adding Medicaid work requirements, which means people would have to prove they work, volunteer, or go to school in order to receive health insurance.
New website in Hamilton County aims to help residents navigate all community resources

1 week ago | wfyi.org | Benjamin Thorp |Ben Thorp

May 28, 2025 Hamilton County’s government has launched a new website that aims to be a one-stop shop for residents looking for help, from mental health support to where to find food. County officials say they spent roughly $70,000 in opioid settlement money to create a portal aimed at helping residents navigate all the different resources in the community. In a video posted to the website's homepage, Hamilton County Commissioner Mark Heirbrandt describes the new tool simply.
Healthcare Headlines: As dementia rates increase, emergency rooms are underprepared

1 week ago | wvpe.org | Ben Thorp

At her mother's home in Illinois, Tracy Balhan flips through photos of her dad, Bill Speer. In one picture, he's smiling in front of a bucket of sweating beers and wearing a blue T-shirt that reads, "Pops. The man. The myth. The legend."Balhan's father died last year after struggling with dementia. During one episode late in his life, he became so agitated that he tried to exit a moving car. Balhan recalls her dad — larger than life, steady and loving — yelling at the top of his lungs.
New moms see slight improvement to mental health care, but Medicaid cuts could reverse that

1 week ago | iowapublicradio.org | Ben Thorp

States across the country improved policies and support for maternal mental health — but only slightly. The country's overall grade increased from a D+ to a C- this year, according to a new report. Only Alabama and Mississippi are still receiving failing grades.

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Benjamin Thorp @sad_radio_lad

13 May 25

RT @wfyi: Biotech company will invest $550 million in Indianapolis facility over the next five years | via @sad_radio_lad https://t.co/xsmv…

Benjamin Thorp @sad_radio_lad

12 May 25

RT @wbaaradio: Eli Lilly expands partnership with Purdue by $250 million | via @sad_radio_lad https://t.co/xDa0nebrO1

Benjamin Thorp @sad_radio_lad

12 May 25

RT @wfyi: More babies are being admitted to NICUs in Indiana: CDC data brief | via @sad_radio_lad https://t.co/93CQt0bSVu

Ben Thorp

Articles

New Ohio moms see slight improvement to mental health care, but Medicaid cuts could reverse that

More than 10% of Ohio babies are being admitted to NICUs, according to CDC data brief

New moms see slight improvement to mental health care, but Medicaid cuts could reverse that

Officials say Indiana is bird flu free, but that doesn’t mean the virus is gone

A million people in the Midwest could lose Medicaid under federal work requirements

Indianapolis’ RecyleForce at forefront of U.S. Department of Energy program to recycle rare earth minerals

A million people in the Midwest could lose Medicaid under federal work requirements

New website in Hamilton County aims to help residents navigate all community resources

Healthcare Headlines: As dementia rates increase, emergency rooms are underprepared

New moms see slight improvement to mental health care, but Medicaid cuts could reverse that

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