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.

Trump signs executive order on Medicare

In a move toward making the public healthcare program more private, President Trump signed an executive order to strengthen Medicare Advantage.

October 4, 2019

Digital health investments taper off in third quarter

Digital health has been a hot sector for investors over the last several years, but the hot streak for the space may be cooling down at the end of 2019, as evidenced by the latest figures by Rock Health.

October 2, 2019

States with the highest, lowest vaccination rates

While vaccinations rates prevented at least 10 million deaths worldwide from 2010 to 2015, according to the World Health Organization, there is a growing faction of U.S. residents who aren’t vaccinating their children. And some states are better than others when it comes to vaccinating.

October 2, 2019

Digital Health 150 lists most promising healthcare startups

CB Insights listed 150 of the “most promising private companies” with new products and services in the healthcare space with its first-ever Digital Health 150.

October 2, 2019

New guideline says adults can eat red, processed meat

According to a new guideline published in the Annals of Internal Medicine, adults can actually continue consuming both processed meats and red meat––contrary to previous dietary guidelines.

October 2, 2019

CMS wants to add wellness programs to the ACA marketplace

Ten states will be allowed to apply to participate in a wellness program demonstration project for their individual health insurance market, CMS announced in a bulletin.

October 1, 2019

ACOs saved Medicare $1.7B in 2018

Accountable Care Organizations saved Medicare $1.7 billion in 2018, netting $739 in net savings after bonuses and payment losses were distributed in the Medicare Shared Savings Program (MSSP).

October 1, 2019

Uninsured rate among diabetics dropped after ACA

The Affordable Care Act had a profound impact on the uninsured rate of U.S. adults with diabetes, according to a recent study from University of Southern California published in the journal of the American Diabetes Association, Diabetes Care.

October 1, 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.