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 order will require hospitals, insurers to disclose prices

President Trump's new executive order will enable HHS to require hospitals and insurers to disclose negotiated rates for healthcare services and give patients their out-of-pocket costs before their procedures, according to CNBC.

June 24, 2019

Medicaid work requirements aren’t boosting employment in Arkansas

Arkansas, the first state to implement work requirements for certain Medicaid beneficiaries, isn’t seeing the promised benefit of increased employment as a result of the new rules, according to a recent report from The Commonwealth Fund.

June 24, 2019

Repeal of ACA would leave 20M more uninsured

Repealing the Affordable Care Act would have serious, immediate consequences, according to the Urban Institute, including 20 million more uninsured people.

June 21, 2019

WSJ: Trump to draw executive order on healthcare prices

President Trump is planning to issue an executive order that will “compel the disclosure” of healthcare prices, according to The Wall Street Journal, which cited people familiar with the matter.

June 21, 2019

Not-for-profit hospitals act like corporate titans but don’t pay taxes

Not-for-profit hospitals don’t pay taxes, but many of them act like Fortune 500 companies, taking on operations that mimic corporate giants.

June 21, 2019

Trump touts forthcoming healthcare plan

President Trump is promising a new healthcare plan for the nation in recent media interviews, though there have been scant details so far.

June 18, 2019

Pharma industry sues to keep drug prices off TV

The pharmaceutical industry is taking action after the Trump administration finalized a rule that would require drugmakers to publish list prices in television ads.

June 17, 2019

CMS head warned about consequences of ACA changes

The Trump administration was warned that its policy changes undermining the Affordable Care Act would cause disruption to healthcare coverage and likely increase taxes, according to a leaked internal memo, first reported by Politico. CMS Administrator Seema Verma penned the memo in August 2018 and outlined how several policy changes could negatively impact the ACA market.

June 17, 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.