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.

Advocacy group asks Congress for $377M increase in funds for the FDA
The Alliance for a Stronger FDA said the increase is necessary to pay salaries and cover the organization's ballooning operational expenses.
FDA clears advanced AI model for predicting heart failure risk
The new algorithm from Implicity evaluates implantable device data and monitors patients for changes that suggest they could experience severe heart failure symptoms in the near future. It was designed to alert clinicians up to weeks in advance.
Maryland enacts sweeping ban on noncompetes for all healthcare professionals
The new law will ban noncompetes in the state for all healthcare workers who provide care, including veterinarians and veterinary technicians.
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.

Incorrect place-of-service codes resulted in Medicare overpayments totaling in the millions

The audit revealed that Medicare overpaid by approximately $22.5 million due to incorrect place-of-service coding completed by practitioners.

June 6, 2023

Nearing a ‘breaking point’: Cardiologists support legislation designed to mitigate Medicare cuts to office-based services

These latest cuts could be a "breaking point" for physicians, according to a new letter to lawmakers.

June 2, 2023

CMS announces coverage decision for new Alzheimer's drugs

The agency indicated that, in order for such drugs to be covered, patients with Medicare Part B must be enrolled in registries that collect real-world data on the treatment’s effectiveness.

June 1, 2023

The Anesthesia Patient Safety Foundation (APSF), a related organization of the American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA), this week released a statement on the criminalization of medical errors. The APSF said criminal prosecution is unjust and counterproductive is healthcare organizations want to find ways to mitigate errors by understanding how they happen and create protocols or IT systems can can help prevent future errors. The criminal trial of nurse RaDonda Vaught was counterproductive to safety.

Cardiology groups issue statement on bullying, harassment and discrimination within the specialty

Bullying and other inappropriate workplace behaviors have been linked to an increased risk of errors and worse patient outcomes.

May 31, 2023

Sam Jones, MD, explains why CMS reduced payments for EP ablation and how it will negatively impact electrophysiology. #HRS #HRS2023 #EPeeps #EPlab #Medicare

Making sense of the huge Medicare reimbursement cuts in electrophysiology

Samuel Jones, MD, examines the large reimbursement reductions in cardiac ablations and what the impact might be on access to care in EP labs.

May 31, 2023

Integra poised to take $60 million hit following voluntary recall of devices manufactured at Boston facility

Production of Integra’s SurgiMend, PriMatrix, Revize and TissueMend products has been temporarily halted due to the recalls, although the company said it has not received any customer complaints.

May 30, 2023

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

FDA approval of several impactful drugs could be delayed if US defaults on debt

The FDA’s process of reviewing and approving drugs and devices could be put on hold, if lawmakers fail to reach a deal related to the debt ceiling.

May 30, 2023

biden administration artificial intelligence

White House spotlights 3 newly added items on AI to-do list

The Biden Administration has refreshed its efforts to encourage AI innovation while mitigating AI risks.

May 25, 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.