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.

About that bipartisan $32B ‘roadmap’ for AI policy: What’s in it for healthcare?
This week Washington took a major step toward nailing down a solid game plan on federal AI spending for everything outside of defense.
FDA set to evaluate use of ‘ecstasy’ for treating PTSD
The party drug could soon be prescribed, in conjunction with psychological interventions, as a treatment for mental health disorders.
FDA announces another new recall involving Abbott’s HeartMate 3 LVADs after 70 injuries, 2 deaths
Abbott issued the new recall after receiving more than 80 reports of blood or air entering the LVAD during implant procedures. Customers can still use these devices, but they are advised to follow specific steps to limit the risk of complications.
Rand releases bracing analysis of hospital prices; AHA repudiates approach, methodology
The Rand Corporation is reporting that, in 2022, employers and private insurers paid hospitals an average 254% more than what Medicare would have spent for the same services in the same facilities.
RateMDs sued by doctor who claims the site violates privacy laws
The lawsuit contends RateMDs has a conflict of interest and sells ads to medical professionals reviewed by users of the site.

COVID protective gear expires, piles up—and goes to waste

What happens when hospitals en masse stock up on supplies to withstand a health crisis of unknown duration?

December 21, 2023

Peter Moffatt, RBMA president-elect, discusses biggest issues facing radiology practices at RSNA 2023. #RBMA #RSNA #Radiology #CMScuts

Navigating the crucial challenges in radiology practice management

RBMA President-elect Pete Moffatt discusses how to contend with challenges such as staff shortages and reimbursement issues.

December 20, 2023

Did ‘Maya’ juror call Hopkins witness a Nazi—or did Hopkins lawyers smear a good juror?

To their reasons for seeking a retrial in the Maya Kowalski case, attorneys for Johns Hopkins All Children’s Hospital in Florida have added a juror’s possibly mischievous and bias-revealing courtroom notes.

December 19, 2023

fired kaiser permanente nurse wins lawsuit

Fired nurse wins $41.5M wrongful termination lawsuit

Former Kaiser Permanente nurse Maria Gatchalian will receive $11.49 million in compensatory damages from her ex-employer, $9 million of which is to make amends for emotional distress, along with some $30 million in punitive damages.

December 14, 2023

AI applications developed by Annalise.ai and commercialized outside the U.S. The company is working on gaining FDA for these and had several FDA clearances granted this past year. Photo by Dave Fornell. #RSNA #RSNA23 #RSNA2023

FDA has now cleared 700 AI healthcare algorithms, more than 76% in radiology

Medical imaging makes up 76% of all the FDA-cleared artificial intelligence clinical algorithms used for direct patient care.

December 13, 2023

House passes ‘landmark’ bill to juice healthcare price transparency

Bipartisan legislation intended to lower healthcare costs by lifting price transparency has made it through the U.S. House of Representatives.

December 12, 2023

Video interview with Richard Heller, MD, RSNA Board member, associate chief medical officer for health policy and communications, and national director of pediatric radiology at Radiology Partners, explains the impact of the 2024 Medicare cuts on radiology and what comes next. #RSNA #RSNZA23 #RSNA2023 #CMS #Radiology

Putting US radiology reimbursement cuts in context and what comes next

Richard Heller, MD, a member of the RSNA Board and associate CMO for Rad Partners, explains the impact of the 2024 Medicare cuts and what is at stake.

December 11, 2023

private equity in healthcare grassley whitehouse

Hospitals, firms interrogated by powerful senators

A heavyweight bipartisan duo in the U.S. Senate has begun grilling some for-profit healthcare providers and the private equity outfits that own them.

December 8, 2023

Around the web

AI in Healthcare

About that bipartisan $32B ‘roadmap’ for AI policy: What’s in it for healthcare?

This week Washington took a major step toward nailing down a solid game plan on federal AI spending for everything outside of defense.

Cardiovascular Business

FDA announces new recall of delivery catheters after patient’s death

The recall includes specific lots of five different medical devices used to treat stroke and other neurovascular diseases.

Cardiovascular Business

FDA warns against use of troubled heart devices, citing ‘continued concerns’ after multiple recalls

The agency is urging healthcare providers to transition away from these devices and seek out alternatives. It is even working with other manufacturers to try and get similar products on the market as quickly as possible.