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.

CMS blames Obamacare prices for rising uninsured rate

The rate of uninsured Americans rose for the first time in roughly a decade in 2018, and the Trump administration is placing the blame of the trend squarely on Obamacare.

September 16, 2019

Purdue Pharma files for bankruptcy in opioid settlement

Purdue Pharma, a drug manufacturer and maker of the popular opioid OxyContin, filed for bankruptcy in the fallout of thousands of lawsuits targeting the company for its role in the national opioid abuse and overdose epidemic.

September 16, 2019

Walmart’s care clinic is just the start of its healthcare plan

Fresh off the heels of its announcement to enter primary care with its own clinic, retail giant Walmart is preparing a big push into the healthcare space.

September 13, 2019

US uninsured rate is rising

The rate of uninsured Americans in 2018 rose for the first time since the Affordable Care Act went into place, according to new data from the Census Bureau.

September 12, 2019

Trump administration will ban flavored e-cigarettes

The Trump administration plans to take on e-cigarette use after an outbreak of severe lung disease related to their use caused more than 450 injuries and 6 deaths around the country.

September 12, 2019

Healthcare groups outline 7 policy recommendations for surprise medical bill legislation

Prominent healthcare organizations, including the American College of Radiology (ACR) and American Medical Association (AMA), have asked Congress to consider certain policy recommendations during its push to protect patients from surprise medical bills.

September 11, 2019

Moving specialty drug administration from hospitals to homes could save $4B per year

Administering specialty drugs in physicians’ offices and patients’ homes instead of in-hospital could improve care and cut healthcare spending in the U.S. by $4 billion each year, according to a Sept. 9 report from UnitedHealth Group.

September 10, 2019

Kaiser Permanente will be forced to disclose more under California law

Kaiser Permanente, a large health system based in California, will be forced to follow the same disclosure laws as other healthcare payers and providers in the state thanks to a new law signed by Gov. Gavin Newsom.

September 6, 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.