Policy & Regulations

This channel includes news coverage of healthcare policy and regulations set by Congress, the states, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and medical associations and societies.

ACLU sues North Carolina over illegal detention of mental health patients
A lawsuit filed in federal court claims the state is detaining mentally ill and disabled patients without due process or proper access to treatment.
Psychiatric hospital sued for $150M over ‘encouraging’ fight between juveniles
A new lawsuit claims a 15-year-old girl was used as an enforcer of bad behavior at a psychiatric facility in Michigan, resulting in her severely beating a 10-year-old boy.
Biden Administration itemizes AI accomplishments to date
Half a year after President Biden officially directed federal agencies in the executive branch’s bailiwick to “seize the promise and manage the risks” of AI, the White House has posted a status report.
Breached Change Healthcare server lacked multifactor authentication, UnitedHealth CEO admits
UnitedHealth CEO Andrew Witty told the Senate Finance Committee that systems have been rebuilt “from scratch” in light of the oversight.
FDA announces recall of SonarMed airway monitors after injury
Medtronic brand SonarMed airway monitors and acoustic sensors are being recalled due to a risk of breathing obstruction and lung tissue damage.

VIDEO: Preparing for radiology appropriate use criteria clinical decision support reporting requirements

Lisa Mead, PSO executive director, Strategic Radiology, spoke at the Radiology Business Management Association (RBMA) 2022 meeting on radiology practices being prepared for the January 2023 deadline to have appropriate use criteria clinical decision support (AUC/CDS) software operational.

May 3, 2022

During the 2022 State of the Union address, President Biden outlined a new plan to combat COVID-19 by testing and immediate treatment, plans to reduce drug costs, the need for more mental health coverage, and a call for more cancer research under an NIH program.

Biden responds to leaked Supreme Court draft opinion overturning Roe v. Wade

President Joe Biden has responded to a leaked draft majority opinion that reveals the Supreme Court has voted to overturn Roe v. Wade, the court case that allowed legal abortion care in the U.S.

May 3, 2022

Prior authorization under fire in Inspector General investigation

An investigation from the Office of the Inspector General (OIG) regarding prior authorization requirements in Medicare Advantage (MA) plans revealed concerns about access to care.

April 29, 2022

More than 400 nursing homes expected to close this year

The 400+ closures projected for 2022 are nearly double the next highest year, when 220 nursing homes closed in 2019.

April 27, 2022

The new recall includes five lots of medications distributed from December 2019 to April 2022. Similar products were also recalled back in March for the same reason. The FDA recalled Accupril from Pfizer.

Pfizer recalls hypertension drug over cancer risk

Drug maker Pfizer has voluntarily recalled a hypertension drug due to the presence of a potentially cancer-causing nitrosamine.

April 26, 2022

VIDEO: The importance of the Physician Practice Information Survey and its impact on radiology reimbursements

Linda Wilgus, CPA, CMPE, executive director and chief financial officer of Northwest Radiology Network and a past president of the Radiology Business Management Association (RBMA), explains the importance of the Physician Practice Information Survey CMS in calculating radiology reimbursements.

April 25, 2022

Hospitals, health systems still grappling with price transparency rules

Hospitals and health systems have been forced to post their prices for some 300 services since the start of 2021 thanks to a recent price transparency rule.

April 21, 2022

Biden administration fights mask mandate repeal

The Biden administration will fight back and appeal a ruling that overturned the federal mask mandate on airlines and public transportation.

April 20, 2022

Around the web

AI in Healthcare

Biden Administration itemizes AI accomplishments to date

Half a year after President Biden officially directed federal agencies in the executive branch’s bailiwick to “seize the promise and manage the risks” of AI, the White House has posted a status report.

Cardiovascular Business

‘Concerning’ data connect industry payments to cardiologists with medical device use

U.S. physicians often receive payments from medical device manufacturers and pharmaceutical companies. New research in JAMA found a connection between receiving such payments and using specific devices—should the industry be concerned?

Cardiovascular Business

Cardiology groups share key update: ABMS seeking feedback on proposed Board of Cardiovascular Medicine

Five of the largest U.S. medical societies focused on cardiovascular health are one step closer to seeing their paradigm-shifting proposal become a reality.