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.

Boston Medical Center installs solar panels to pay patients’ electric bills
A program dubbed the Clean Power Prescription sends half the energy generated by 519 solar panels on the hospital's roof back to patients, in the form of energy credits.
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.

Arizona’s Medicaid work requirements approved

Arizona is the latest state to have approval for a Medicaid work requirement program—joining seven other states with approved programs.

January 21, 2019

CVS and Walmart come to agreement after drug pricing battle

CVS Health and Walmart have reached a new, multiyear deal to continue their pharmacy business relationship. CVS announced the agreement Jan. 18, three days after the companies stated they would no longer be in the same network for filling prescription drugs after a pricing dispute.

January 18, 2019

CMS introduces new models to lower drug prices in Part D, Medicare Advantage

CMS’ Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation (CMMI) has announced a new model that aims to lower prescription drug prices in Medicare Part D and introduced several updates to Medicare Advantage (MA) plans.

January 18, 2019

CMS proposes 2020 payment notice

The Trump administration’s CMS has proposed a number of changes to the 2020 coverage year, including making changes to the individual health insurance exchange and qualified health plan provisions.

January 18, 2019

Healthcare is the hottest stock sector

The healthcare sector remains a sweet spot for the stock market, ranked the most favored sector on the S&P 500 among Wall Street research firms, Reuters reported.

January 16, 2019

Congress to look into drug prices

Rising drug prices have caught the attention of the Congressional Committee on Oversight and Reform, which announced it will open a “sweeping” drug price investigation.

January 16, 2019

Hospitals deeply impacted by rising drug prices

Americans are concerned about higher drug costs impacting their wallets, but hospitals and health systems have also been feeling the pinch, according to a recent study from hospital groups including the American Hospital Association.

January 16, 2019

Kaiser Permanente to invest in housing with $100M loan fund

Healthcare plans and providers are increasingly addressing social determinants of health that can impact patient outcomes and overall costs. Now, California-based Kaiser Permanente is looking at tackling housing insecurity with a $100 million loan fund for affordable housing.

January 16, 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.