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.

UnitedHealth, Amedisys ask federal judge to dismiss DOJ lawsuit blocking $3.3B merger
The companies argue that the U.S. Department of Justice has failed to adequately demonstrate how, and in which regions of the country, the merger would harm competition. They are asking a federal court to throw out the case.
Healthcare private equity reporting act signed into law by Mass. governor
The new law will require private equity firms to make disclosures related to organizational structure and finances if they intend to operate a medical facility or provider organization in the state.
Reimbursement update: What hospitals need to know about new Medicare payments for cardiac CT
CMS finalized a significant policy change when it increased the Medicare payments hospitals receive for performing CCTA exams. What, exactly, does the update mean for cardiologists, billing specialists and other hospital employees?
Dental chain involved in ransomware coverup fined $350K
A regional chain of clinics that lied through its teeth about a data breach has agreed to pay a $350,000 settlement to resolve multiple allegations it violated HIPAA.
$49B in medical debt to be erased from credit reports
A new final rule from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau bans reporting agencies from including medical debts on credit reports or factoring them into credit scores.

Americans remain skeptical of Trump’s ability to lower drug prices

A new report co-commissioned by Politico and the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, delved deeper into Americans’ outlook regarding the Trump administration’s policies to address prescription drug prices. Though President Donald Trump has called this one of his “greatest priorities,” poll numbers show the country is skeptical.

July 24, 2018

Physicians sue Anthem over ER pay practices

A group of doctors filed suit against health insurance company Anthem for its pay practices over emergency room (ER) care.

July 20, 2018

Trump administration looks at importing drugs to control prices

The Trump administration is taking a wide approach in its efforts to lower drug prices—even considering importing drugs from abroad.

July 20, 2018

OMB review underway to unfreeze $10B in ACA payments

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) is reviewing a rule to unlock roughly $10 billion in payments for Affordable Care Act (ACA) insurance providers.

July 20, 2018

Medicare competitive bidding process hurts patients

The Medicare bidding process is hurting patients, according to a new study from the Pacific Research Institute.

July 19, 2018

Amid revenue growth, UnitedHealth considers acquiring $2B Tenet subsidiary

UnitedHealth Group is exploring an acquisition of Tenet Healthcare’s healthcare management subsidiary, Conifer Health Solutions, according to the The Wall Street Journal.

July 19, 2018

CMS opens comment period for Kentucky Medicaid work requirements

After a federal judge blocked work requirements for Medicaid beneficiaries in Kentucky, CMS has opened a pathway for the policy.

July 19, 2018

Facing pressure from Trump, another drug manufacturer drops price hikes

Novartis, one of the world’s biggest pharmaceutical companies, has paused any price hikes on its drugs for the remainder of 2018.

July 19, 2018

Around the web

Cardiovascular Business

Reimbursement update: What hospitals need to know about new Medicare payments for cardiac CT

CMS finalized a significant policy change when it increased the Medicare payments hospitals receive for performing CCTA exams. What, exactly, does the update mean for cardiologists, billing specialists and other hospital employees?

Cardiovascular Business

Stryker acquires Inari Medical for $4.9B

Stryker, a global medtech company based out of Michigan, has kicked off 2025 with a bit of excitement. The company says Inari’s peripheral vascular portfolio is highly complementary to its own neurovascular portfolio.

Radiology Business

The biggest obstacles facing radiology business managers in 2025

RBMA President Peter Moffatt discusses declining reimbursement rates, recruiting challenges and the role of artificial intelligence in transforming the industry.