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.

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.
‘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?
Philips settles cases over faulty sleep apnea machines for $1.1B
The litigation stems from a 2023 recall of CPAP machines and ventilators that caused users to inhale pieces of foam during use. The faulty units were linked to at least 561 deaths.

Radiology practices’ use of nurse practitioners, physician assistants has swelled in recent years

Imaging practices more likely to utilize NPPs are in urban areas, larger in size, and have a higher percentage of IR specialists, experts wrote in JACR.

March 4, 2022

District of Columbia DC congress capitol hill

ACR among dozens of doc groups urging feds to forgo looming Medicare cuts

Congress paused planned sequester cuts for the first three months of 2022, but they'll starting hitting docs on April 1, imaging advocates noted.

March 4, 2022

Medical societies are asking Congress to be involved in Medicare reform efforts.

About 100 medical societies ask Congress to be involved in Congressional efforts to reform Medicare

Nearly 100 professional healthcare societies have asked Congress to include them in any discussions related to Medicare reform.

February 28, 2022

Court blocks aspects of surprise billing rule

Federal Judge Jeremy D. Kernodle said the interim final rule conflicts with the unambiguous terms of the No Surprises Act.

February 24, 2022

HHS allocating $560M in payments to healthcare providers impacted by COVID-19 pandemic

Nearly $19 billion will have been distributed from the Provider Relief Fund and the American Rescue Plan Rural provider funding since November 2021.

February 24, 2022

Quality care for geriatric patients lacking in emergency departments

Most EDs do not provide the level of care recommended by Geriatric Emergency Department guidelines.

February 23, 2022

Major pharmacy group criticizes FTC decision on PBMs

FTC failed to reach a consensus on a study looking into PBM practices.

February 18, 2022

Healthcare M&A, mergers and acquisitions business deal.

M&A activity was down in 2021, but 'mega-mergers' spiked

Last year saw the largest percentage of mega transactions over the past six years at 16.3%, nearly double that of 2020.

February 17, 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.