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.

Medicare Advantage, Part D premiums drop

Medicare Advantage premiums are expected to drop 23% from 2018 levels ahead of the new enrollment period, CMS announced, stating that plan choices, benefits and enrollment have increased.

September 24, 2019

Bernie Sanders proposes plan to eliminate medical debt

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) has introduced his plan to eliminate $81 billion in medical debt as part of his pitch to become the Democratic presidential candidate.

September 23, 2019

Funding roundup: Digital therapeutics investments trending

Catch up on some of the healthcare industry’s most recent investment rounds.

September 20, 2019

Purdue will pay out millions in bonuses in bankruptcy case

Purdue Pharma, maker of the popular opioid OxyContin, will be allowed to dole out millions of dollars in bonuses to executives as the company declares bankruptcy as part of a $10 billion settlement to resolve thousands of lawsuits against the company for its role in the national opioid abuse and overdose epidemic.

September 20, 2019

Pelosi introduces plan to negotiate drug prices

Speaker of the House Nany Pelosi (D-CA) and House Democrats introduced a new bill Sept. 19 aimed at lowering drug prices.

September 19, 2019

73M Americans live in limited insurance marketplaces

Highly concentrated markets in the commercial health insurance industry are on the rise, leaving millions more Americans with limited choices when it comes to getting coverage, according to the American Medical Association.

September 18, 2019

Weakening economy impacts patient choices about healthcare

A whopping 40% of patients said the state of the economy affects how often they seek medical care, according to a recent TransUnion Healthcare survey. Further, a quarter of people said they felt prompted to use their existing insurance for treatment they may have been putting off when they heard news about a worsening economy.

September 18, 2019

AMA lays out recommendations to improve opioid crisis

The American Medical Association is joining forces with healthcare groups to urge policymakers to make changes to remove barriers to opioid addiction treatment.

September 18, 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.