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.

NY officials consider blocking $69B CVS-Aetna merger

Officials in New York state are reportedly considering blocking part of the ongoing merger between CVS Health and Aetna, according to Bloomberg.

October 19, 2018

Connecticut Insurance Department approves CVS-Aetna merger

The Connecticut Insurance Department has approved CVS Health’s multibillion dollar merger with Aetna, Gov. Dannel P. Malloy announced this week. The decision was issued Wednesday.

October 18, 2018

Walgreens: Don’t call us just a retailer

With CVS Health on the brink of acquiring health insurer Aetna, Walgreens wants to revamp its image as more than a retailer, according to a report by CNBC.

October 18, 2018

Healthcare groups warn of consequences over new ACO rules

Industry groups have submitted their final comments on CMS’ recent proposal to overhaul the Medicare Shared Savings Program, warning that some of the new changes could result in fewer accountable care organizations participating in the program.

October 18, 2018

ACA has helped healthcare stocks boom

The Affordable Care Act has helped launch healthcare stocks into the stratosphere over the last eight years, contrary to what some critics of the healthcare law believed would happen.

October 18, 2018

New Medicare Advantage plan launches with $300M in funding

Devoted Health, a new Medicare Advantage plan, has officially launched after securing $300 million in a Series B funding round, the company announced.

October 17, 2018

Healthcare M&A slows 38% in third quarter

Mergers and acquisition activity among hospitals and health systems is showing signs of a slowdown, according to the latest findings from financial consulting firm Kaufman, Hall & Associates.

October 17, 2018

Bloomberg: Athenahealth has five potential bidders

Athenahealth, a network-enabled services company for hospitals and ambulatory clients, has bids from at least five entities, according to a report from Bloomberg.

October 17, 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.