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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Public health coalition wins lawsuit against EPA for lack of fluoride oversight

A federal judge in California ruled existing evidence of the negative effects of fluoride in drinking water warrants an investigation and potential action from the Environmental Protection Agency. 

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Cardiology groups cheer new bill that would improve access to Medicare claims data

If passed, this bill would help clinician-led clinical registries explore Medicare data for research purposes. The Society of Thoracic Surgeons and American College of Cardiology both shared public support for the bipartisan legislation. 

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Walmart workers sue over tobacco fees levied for health plan trust

The class action lawsuit argues employees cannot escape the fees even after they stop using tobacco, a violation of labor regulations.  

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HHS awards $75M for addiction and maternal health services in rural areas

The funds will be used to expand services and improve the financial stability of existing healthcare organizations located in underserved regions of the South. 

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FDA announces Class I recall for compounding inlets due to risk of death

Baxter’s disposable inlets for automated compounding systems could pose a serious risk to patients if not properly inspected before use.

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Watchdog group, fearful of fraud, wants more oversight for remote patient monitoring

Cardiologists and other physicians may soon need to provide much more information when ordering remote patient monitoring for Medicare patients.

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Q&A: Healthcare attorney skeptical of California’s new private equity regulation

AB 3129 grants the Attorney General of California oversight of private equity transactions in healthcare. An attorney with Holland & Knight is concerned about the unintended consequences of the proposed law. 

A majority of medical devices involved in Class I recalls were never required by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to undergo premarket or postmarket clinical testing, according to new research published in Annals of Internal Medicine.[1]

Most recalled cardiovascular devices gained FDA approval with little to no clinical evidence

Why are so many cardiovascular devices involved in Class I recalls? One possible reason could be the large number of devices hitting the market without undergoing much premarket clinical testing. 

Around the web

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.

The 24 members of the House Task Force on AI—12 reps from each party—have posted a 253-page report detailing their bipartisan vision for encouraging innovation while minimizing risks. 

Merck sent Hansoh Pharma, a Chinese biopharmaceutical company, an upfront payment of $112 million to license a new investigational GLP-1 receptor agonist. There could be many more payments to come if certain milestones are met.