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.

AMA says Change Healthcare breach is crippling independent practices
A survey of physicians by the American Medical Association reveals that many practices are still losing revenue and struggling to make payroll as a result of the Change Healthcare hack.
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.
What happened to cardiology's private practices?
Hospital employment models, reimbursement policies and private equity have all led to a massive reduction in the number of cardiologists working for a private practice, ACC President Cathie Biga, MSN, told Cardiovascular Business.
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.

Limiting salt is a common recommendation for patients hoping to improve their heart health or lose weight. According to a new analysis of more than 1,700 patients, however, going too far with such restrictions can lead to worse outcomes.

FDA hopes new guidance will prove ‘one of the most significant public health nutrition interventions in a generation’

Aimed at food manufacturers, chain restaurants and food service operators, the document offers target sodium levels for some 163 categories of processed, prepared and packaged foods.

October 14, 2021

Telehealth patient. Telecardiology saw a major boost with during the COVID and many health systems now want to keep this care delivery tool post-pandemic.

Telemedicine has improved access to healthcare

Healthcare access has improved thanks to advances and higher adoption of telemedicine.

October 7, 2021

AMA releases 2022 updates to medical coding

The American Medical Association has released its 2022 updates to the Current Procedural Terminology (CPT) code set.

September 7, 2021

Healthcare orgs given extra time to comply with price transparency

The Biden administration has given healthcare organizations extra time to comply with a price transparency rule.

August 30, 2021

$4.1B savings for Medicare thanks to shared savings program

Medicare’s Shared Savings Program (MSSP) saw its best financial performance in 2020, with 513 participating ACOs saving the CMS more than $4 billion gross and almost $2 billion net.

August 26, 2021

More than 2.5M gained health coverage during special open enrollment

A special enrollment period implemented by the Biden administration saw more than 2.5 million people sign up for health insurance.

August 11, 2021

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

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.