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.

CNBC: Judge mulls not approving CVS-Aetna agreement

While the $69 billion merger between CVS Health and Aetna has been approved by regulators and cleared by the Department of Justice, a federal judge has raised the prospect of not approving the deal, CNBC reported.

November 30, 2018

CMS expands state waiver rules for account-based approach

States will have more flexibility to introduce new healthcare options to residents under a new policy from CMS that impacts waivers.

November 30, 2018

AMA: Healthcare insurance markets are highly consolidated, reducing competition

The healthcare industry is in a period of rapid consolidation, with major mergers and acquisitions happening year to year. This consolidation is leading to high concentration levels in 73 percent of health insurance markets, according to a recent study from the American Medical Association.

November 29, 2018

CVS Health completes $69B merger with Aetna

The ongoing merger between CVS Health and Aetna officially closed Nov. 28, the companies announced. The $69 billion deal brings together one of the nation’s largest health insurers and retail pharmacy chains and pharmacy benefit managers.

November 28, 2018

Cigna-Express Scripts merger delayed

The completion of the $67 billion merger between health insurer Cigna and Express Scripts has been delayed, according to a public filing. The deal was anticipated to close by December 8, but the companies have decided to delay that deadline by six months.

November 27, 2018

Hospital recommends fundraising to patient who couldn’t afford heart transplant

In another sign that the cost of healthcare is too high, one hospital system based in Grand Rapids, Michigan, denied a heart transplant to a woman and recommended she try to raise $10,000.

November 27, 2018

CMS proposes new Medicare prescription drug rules

CMS proposed several new policies for 2020 that aim to lower prescription drug prices by revising how Medicare plans can cover medicines and negotiate prices.

November 27, 2018

CVS-Aetna deal approved by all regulators

CVS Health received the final approval for its $69 billion merger with the nation’s third-largest health insurance provider, Aetna, on Nov. 26. CVS expects the deal to close Nov. 28, according to a new public filing.

November 26, 2018

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.