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.

Walmart considering selling marijuana as medicine in Canada

As Canada is set to legalize marijuana use on Oct. 17, Walmart—the world’s largest employer—is seriously considering adding cannabis products alongside other medications in its aisles in the country, according to Hemp Industry Daily.

October 16, 2018

Drug pricing transparency rule has no teeth

HHS proposed a new rule to require drug manufacturers to publish prices of medicines in television ads. However, the rule has no enforcement mechanism by the agency and relies on self-policing.

October 16, 2018

Drug companies will publish prices as Trump administration takes aim at industry

On Monday, CMS proposed a new rule that would require manufacturers to disclose drug prices in television ads. The rule was expected, as the Trump administration and HHS Secretary Alex Azar have ramped up rhetoric to put more pressure on rising drug prices.

October 15, 2018

Politico: High cost of healthcare travels over party lines

As the country's strong partisan divides become more apparent with an approaching midterm election, struggles related to the cost and accessibility of healthcare services are one top issue that both Republicans and Democrats currently agree on.

October 15, 2018

KKR completes $9.9B purchase of Envision

Private equity firm KKR has completed its acquisition of Envision Healthcare Corporation for a deal valued at $9.9 billion. The deal was previously announced in June.

October 12, 2018

National uninsured rate climbs to 15.5%

The national uninsured rate in the U.S. has risen nearly 3 percent over the past two years, according to a WalletHub study comparing rates across 547 U.S. cities. Honolulu saw the lowest uninsured rate for large cities, while Dallas took the cake for the country’s highest uninsured rate.

October 12, 2018

Amedisys to become third-largest hospice provider after $340M acquisition

One of the nation’s largest home healthcare providers, Amedisys, is set to become the third-largest hospice care provider after announcing plans to acquire Compassionate Care Hospice for $340 million.

October 11, 2018

Democrats fail to overturn expansion of short-term health plans

Republicans in the Senate on Wednesday overcame an attempt from Democrats to overturn the recent expansion of short-term healthcare insurance plans by the Trump administration.

October 11, 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.