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.

Lawmaker ‘deeply concerned’ over $250M HHS contract for coronavirus-related PR work

Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-N.J., worries the agency is using taxpayer funds to fuel the commander-in-chief’s bid for a second term.

September 14, 2020

Twenty-three percent of cardiologists have a net worth of more than $5 million, No. 5 among all specialties, according to a new report. A majority of cardiologists also said they have had no significant financial losses in the last year. What are cardiologists paid? How much do cardiologists make?

Alleged Stark violations, kickbacks to cost hospital $50M

A 223-bed acute care institution with a medical staff of nearly 300 physicians has agreed to pay $50 million over allegations it deliberately submitted ineligible claims to Medicare and profited handsomely by these actions.

September 10, 2020

4 hurdles thwarting AI from conquering clinical practice

AI will not earn a place in the daily practice of medicine until its developers definitively answer some pressing questions on fitness and appropriateness.

September 9, 2020

Researchers clarify: Don’t dismiss the neck gaiter as a facemask failure

Remember the Duke study that seemed to suggest a neck gaiter can spread more COVID than no mask at all? Its authors now say their findings were misconstrued. Gaiters may be OK after all.

August 19, 2020

Standard operating procedures start chugging back to life at Medicare, Medicaid

As part of its Monday announcement, CMS released inspection guidance for state agencies and a toolkit for nursing homes.

August 17, 2020

$66M to hospitalize 38 patients over 3 weeks—would you take that deal?

Responding swiftly to the COVID crisis this past spring, the city of Chicago imagined, built and began operating a nicely outfitted, high-capacity hospital in just three weeks and five days. That was the impressive part.

August 14, 2020

Search engines unequally inhospitable to antivaxxers

Privacy-first search engines brought back numerous sites when researchers entered the words vaccine and autism. Google turned up zero. Is that impressive—or glaring?

August 13, 2020

Debate over hybrid classrooms a signpost of back-to-school health troubles ahead

On its face, hybrid schooling appears a prudent compromise during the COVID-19 crisis. However, it’s awfully easy to find health and education experts crying Stop the madness.

August 6, 2020

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”