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.

CMS reapproves Medicaid work requirements in Kentucky

After a federal judge blocked Kentucky’s Medicaid work requirements from going into effect earlier this year, CMS reapproved the program on Nov. 20.

November 21, 2018

Health insurer based benefits on sleep habits

Health insurers are using new methods to monitor consumers enrolled in their plans, as one person discovered when his sleep habits unknowingly played a role in the benefits he received from his provider, ProPublica reported.

November 21, 2018

Lawmakers to introduce bill to lower drug prices

Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) and U.S. Representative Ro Khanna (D-Calif.) are planning to introduce a bill that aims to “drastically” lower prescription drug prices once Congress is back in session.

November 20, 2018

CVS-Aetna deal now likely to close after Thanksgiving

While the $69 billion merger between CVS Health and Aetna has moved through the regulatory review process, CVS executives now expect the deal to close after Thanksgiving, according to a new public filing. Executives previously anticipated the transaction would be completed before the holiday.

November 20, 2018

Wildfires lead HHS to declare public health emergency in California

Several wildfires in California led HHS Secretary Alex Azar to declare a public health emergency in the state on Nov. 13. The announcement allows CMS providers, suppliers and beneficiaries flexibility to meet emergency needs.

November 19, 2018

LifePoint finalizes $5.6B merger with RCCH HealthCare Partners

LifePoint Health, a healthcare services company based in Tennessee, and RCCH HealthCare Partners completed their $5.6 billion merger on Nov. 16. The deal was originally announced in July.

November 19, 2018

Medicare improper payments drop to lowest rate since 2010

Medicare fee-for-service improper payments dropped to their lowest level since 2010 this year, CMS Administrator Seema Verma announced on Nov. 16.

November 19, 2018

Pfizer to raise prices on 41 drugs in 2019

Drug manufacturer Pfizer announced it would raise the prices of 41 drugs in January 2019, The Wall Street Journal reported.

November 16, 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.