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.

4 points crucial to the nimble regulation of GenAI
With generative AI coming into its own, AI regulators must avoid relying too much on principles of risk management—and not enough on those of uncertainty management.
FDA recalls infant incubators due to risk of door falling off
A loose screw on the Giraffe OmniBed is to blame. With updated use instructions and repairs, the incubators are safe to use.
‘A huge win’: CMS significantly increases Medicare payments for cardiac CT
CMS has more than doubled the CCTA payment rate from $175 to $357.13. The move, expected to have a significant impact on the utilization of cardiac CT, received immediate praise from imaging specialists.
Kentucky AG launches criminal probe after conscious man nearly has organs harvested
Three years ago Anthony Hoover was declared brain dead—until he woke up on the operating room table, moments before his organs were removed. His story has spurred a criminal investigation by Kentucky's attorney general.
FDA announces Class I recall of ventilators after 3 patient injuries
An unexpected nickel coating on the breathing circuits of Percussionaire Phasitron 5 ventilators is being blamed for the recall. The FDA is asking providers to stop using them immediately.

Geisinger offers medical school debt-free

In an effort to boost primary care, Geisinger and Geisinger Commonwealth School of Medicine will provide debt-free medical school and living assistance to its students who plan to work in primary care at the health system after graduating.

November 7, 2019

CVS to close 22 stores amid profit jump

CVS Health is closing nearly two dozen stores that are underperforming, the company announced in its third quarter earnings released Nov. 6. The store closings also coincide with a 10% jump in profit for the quarter for CVS, of $1.52 billion.

November 6, 2019

How some radiologists are going the extra mile to learn about AI

Radiologists are in a position to demonstrate their value and lead the implementation of AI in healthcare—but keeping up with these evolving technologies is easier said than done.

November 6, 2019

Walgreens in talks to go private

Walgreens Boots Alliance is reportedly in talks to take the company private, according to CNBC. The deal would be the largest leveraged buyout in history, and the news comes after Walgreens announced it was closing 160 in-store clinics it owns and operates.

November 6, 2019

CMS finalizes 2020 payment rules

CMS has finalized payment rules for 2020, dropping a controversial coding change in the Physician Fee Schedule and a proposal to force hospitals to publicly disclose their standard pricing.

November 4, 2019

Chinese-linked scientists steal US biomedical research

Other countries are targeting and stealing confidential scientific research from U.S. institutions and academic centers, according to a report from The New York Times.

November 4, 2019

Highest paying physician specialties 2019

Neurosurgery is the medical specialty with the highest average annual compensation, according to the 2019 Physician Compensation Report from Doximity, which draws on responses from nearly 90,000 licensed U.S. doctors over six years.

November 4, 2019

Trump administration finalizes kidney care rules

CMS has finalized changes to Medicare payment methodologies that aim to improve care for kidney care patients.

October 31, 2019

Around the web

AI in Healthcare

4 points crucial to the nimble regulation of GenAI

With generative AI coming into its own, AI regulators must avoid relying too much on principles of risk management—and not enough on those of uncertainty management.

Cardiovascular Business

Q&A: Why are cardiovascular devices involved in so many recalls? FDA policies may be to blame

Cardiovascular devices are more likely to be in a Class I recall than any other device type. The FDA's approval process appears to be at least partially responsible, though the agency is working to make some serious changes. We spoke to a researcher who has been tracking these data for years to learn more.

Cardiovascular Business

Cardiologist compensation still rising, especially in invasive and interventional cardiology

Updated compensation data includes good news for multiple subspecialties. The new report also examines private equity's impact on employment models and how much male cardiologists earn compared to females.