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.

OxyContin won’t be covered by BCBS of Tennessee

In the middle of a national opioid epidemic, one major health insurance provider has decided it will no longer cover OxyContin prescriptions next year.

September 7, 2018

ACA benefits, healthcare costs huge issues for voters

Voters are thinking about healthcare when it comes to the upcoming 2018 midterm elections, with pre-existing conditions becoming a widespread concern and a top campaign issue, according to the latest tracking poll from Kaiser Health.

September 6, 2018

CVS-Aetna, Cigna-Express Scripts deals close to DOJ clearance

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is close to clearing two mega deals in the healthcare space, according to a report from The Wall Street Journal, which cited people familiar with the matter.

September 5, 2018

Obamacare challenge heads into oral arguments

The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is facing one of its biggest challenges to date as arguments began Wednesday, Sept. 5, in a live-or-die lawsuit that could potentially nullify the healthcare law.

September 5, 2018

WellCare finalizes $2.5B acquisition of Meridian

WellCare Health Plans, a Tampa-based managed care provider, has closed its acquisition of Meridian Health Plans of Michigan, Meridian Health Plans of Illinois and MeridianRx in a deal worth about $2.5 billion.

September 4, 2018

Cigna-Express Scripts deal has already cost $201M

The $67 billion mega-merger between Cigna and Express Scripts has already cost a staggering $201 million, Axios reported, according to an estimate from Cigna relating to transaction costs incurred in a filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

September 4, 2018

Nurse practitioners face barriers to helping areas underserved by PCPs

Nurse practitioners in California are prepared to help fill shortages of primary care physicians in underserved areas around the state—but several barriers challenge this practice, according to a recent survey published in Health Affairs.

September 4, 2018

Cigna-Express Scripts deal gathering support in DOJ antitrust process

Cigna’s $67 billion acquisition of Express Scripts is looking good after 14 of the 29 states necessary to approve the deal have cleared it.

August 30, 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.