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. 

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Mednax gets the axe from UnitedHealth Group’s network

UnitedHealth Group, which owns the nation’s largest health insurance provider UnitedHealthcare, has parted ways with physician staffing firm Mednax, and cut the company from its in-network providers.

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Hip and knee bundles may receive 3-year extension

The Comprehensive Care for Joint Replacement Model, which covers hip and knee joint replacement bundled payments, could see a three-year extension, CMS announced in a proposed rule.

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Oscar Health introduces $3 monthly drug program

Oscar Health has introduced a new drug formulary that will limit the cost for patients to just $3 per month for a supply of commonly used medicines, including insulin.

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Private equity continues to snap up physician groups

Private equity firms are continuing their investments in physician practices, scooping up 355 acquisitions from 2013 to 2016, according to a new study published in JAMA.

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Hedge funds distance themselves from Purdue Pharma

The troubles of Purdue Pharma, the maker of the opioid OxyContin, have led two hedge funds to cut ties with the company as legal consequences from the national opioid abuse and overdose epidemic continue to play out.

HHS teams up with Janssen to treat coronavirus

HHS is extending its existing partnership with pharmaceutical company Janssen Research & Development, which is part of Johnson & Johnson, to develop treatments for the 2019 novel coronavirus, the agency announced.

 

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Unregulated Craiglist drug market rising due to sky-high prices

More Americans afflicted with chronic disease are turning to unregulated markets such as Craigslist to find insulin and other necessary medications because they can’t afford to purchase them at the pharmacy­­.

 

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Study: Universal healthcare system would save lives, improve healthcare

A Medicare for all healthcare system has the potential to improve the availability of services and efficiency of care in the United States, according to a recent study published in The Lancet.

Around the web

RBMA President Peter Moffatt discusses some of the biggest obstacles facing the specialty in the new year. 

Mark Isenberg, executive vice president of Zotec Partners, discusses key developments that will reshape the specialty this year. 

The tirzepatide shortage that first began in 2022 has been resolved. Drug companies distributing compounded versions of the popular drug now have two to three more months to distribute their remaining supply.