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.

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.
AMGA condemns FTC ban on noncompetes in healthcare
The healthcare employers’ trade group said a nationwide ban on noncompete contracts will stifle investment in new technologies.
Kaiser Permanente exposed data on 13.4 million members to tech companies
Tracking technologies sent patient information to advertisers such as Microsoft, Google and Meta.

Healthcare system still suing patients after being sold

A healthcare system in Tennessee is still suing patients for uncollected debt even after it’s been sold and some of its facilities were repurposed by the buyer.

July 26, 2021

Only 5.6% of hospitals comply with price transparency rule

The vast majority of hospitals are not following through on a recent requirement to publish their list prices online, according to a recent study from PatientRightsAdvocate.com.

July 19, 2021

Intensive Care Unit sign inside of a hospital

CMS may charge hospitals for not posting prices online

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services has proposed charging hospitals that fail to post their list prices online as required.

July 19, 2021

Johnson & Johnson settles opioid case with New York for $230M

Johnson & Johnson will pay New York State $230 million in a settlement over a lawsuit against the drug manufacturer for its role in the opioid epidemic.

June 28, 2021

Biden administration reverses Trump-era healthcare discrimination rule

The Department of Health and Human Services has overturned a Trump-era rule that would have allowed healthcare providers to discriminate against patients based on sexual orientation or gender identity.

May 12, 2021

Biden administration waives protections for COVID-19 vaccines

The Biden administration has backed the waiving of intellectual property protections for COVID-19 vaccines, supporting a proposal from the World Trade Organization to improve worldwide vaccinations against the deadly virus.

May 5, 2021

Biden administration promotes new Obamacare subsidies in $50M campaign

The American Rescue Plan, the $1.9 trillion Covid-19 relief law that provided stimulus checks to most Americans, included several healthcare changes that will reduce costs for many Americans. The Biden administration is now preparing to spend $50 million in advertising to promote those healthcare changes,

March 31, 2021

FTC files suit to stop Illumina’s $7.1B takeover of life sciences firm

The Federal Trade Commission is suing Illumina, a gene sequencing firm, in an effort to stop its proposed $7.1 billion acquisition of life sciences firm Grail.

March 31, 2021

Around the web

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.

Cardiovascular Business

Cardiologists, thoracic surgeons applaud FTC’s ban of most noncompete clauses

The Society for Cardiovascular Angiography & Interventions and Society of Thoracic Surgeons have both shared statements in support of the ban, which is already being challenged in court. The American Hospital Association, meanwhile, opposes the policy shift, saying it “errs by seeking to create a one-size-fits-all rule”